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Maddocks appoints next CEO

By Jason Silverii

• 07 April 2020 • 2 min read
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Maddocks has appointed David Newman as the firm’s next Chief Executive Officer.

David is a partner in the firm’s Restructuring & Insolvency team and is based in Melbourne.

David brings significant leadership experience to the role. He joined Maddocks in 2000 and was appointed a partner in 2002. He has held numerous leadership positions, including Practice Group Head of our Corporate & Commercial practice and Practice Team Leader of the firm’s Banking & Insolvency practice. He has also served two terms on the firm’s Board.

As a lawyer, he has been regularly ranked as one of Australia’s leading restructuring and insolvency lawyers by legal directories Chambers Asia Pacific, Best Lawyers, Legal 500 and Doyle’s Guide.

David will work with current CEO Michelle Dixon on the transition from 1 July 2020 and will take over the role on 1 October 2020.

Maddocks Chairman Mark Henry congratulated David on his appointment.

‘David has shown considerable leadership skills and business acumen over his 20 years at Maddocks,’ Mark said.

‘He is considered a highly trusted adviser by his clients and has held various senior leadership roles at Maddocks over many years. He has also been instrumental in key projects for the firm, including the move of the Melbourne office in 2016 to Collins Square, the launch and implementation of the firm’s innovation strategy and the development of the firm’s overarching business strategy.’

David said he was delighted to be appointed as the next CEO of Maddocks.

‘Maddocks has been a huge part of my life for the past 20 years and I am incredibly proud to have been given the opportunity to lead this great firm,’ David said.

‘We have grown enormously over this time and I look forward to working with the partners, the Board and our talented lawyers and shared services teams to take on the challenges that currently face us and to continue to provide outstanding service to our clients and business partners.’

David will take over the CEO role from Michelle Dixon, who has served the maximum allowable term under the firm’s Governance Rules.

Michelle said she was looking forward to working with David to ensure a smooth transition.

‘David brings many great qualities to the role, in particular his passion for Maddocks, the growth and development of our people and a strong focus on clients.

‘I look forward to working with David over the coming months as we enter the next chapter in the firm’s 135-year history.’

Editor note:

Maddocks is a proudly independent Australian law firm that works closely with corporations, businesses and governments throughout Australia and internationally. We advise national and international clients across the education, government, healthcare, infrastructure and technology sectors, from our Canberra, Melbourne and Sydney offices. Our specialist expertise includes dispute resolution and litigation, employment and safety, financial services, franchising and insolvency.

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By Jason Silverii

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