Global law firm K&L Gates has further bolstered its corporate and asset management and investment funds practices with the addition of James Lonie, Natalya Hards and Lisa Lautier as partners, based in Sydney. Lonie, Hards and Lautier join K&L Gates from HWL Ebsworth.

James Lonie is one of Australia’s leading securities, funds and transactional lawyers with experience working with public and private sector clients in regulated and unregulated environments. Lonie focuses his practice in mergers and acquisitions, funds management, equity capital markets, securities and financial services regulation, and joint ventures and start-ups. He also provides advice on corporate governance issues and securities regulatory issues.

He joins a corporate practice that is a trusted advisor to Fortune Global 500, middle market, and emerging businesses, as well as their investors and their boards.

Natalya Hards joins the K&L Gates corporate practice team as an experienced mergers and acquisitions, funds and projects transaction lawyer. She advises Australian and international investors in corporate M&A, wholesale funds and investments, joint ventures, infrastructure and energy projects, and commercial and government contracting.

Hards has extensive experience practicing overseas, having worked as a lawyer in Hong Kong, the People’s Republic of China, London, Abu Dhabi, Dubai and Bahrain.

Returning to K&L Gates’ asset management and investment funds practice, where she previously practiced from 2014 to 2020, Lisa Lautier advises Australian and international clients on fund establishment, financial services law, structuring and the provision of financial products and services to wholesale and retail clients.

Lautier joins a market-leading global asset management and investment funds practice team, with more than 150 lawyers in Asia, Australia, Europe, the Middle East, and North America.

Nick Nichola, K&L Gates Managing Partner, Australia, said: “We are very pleased to welcome James, Natalya and Lisa to K&L Gates. They are key appointments in areas of high demand from our clients and in areas where we expect to see great opportunities next year and beyond. They bring with them extensive experience advising clients on key matters both in Australia and overseas, which fits in perfectly with the K&L Gates global platform.”

“James, Natalya and Lisa add further depth to our outstanding corporate and asset management teams and also to our broader national offering.”