Australian firm Mills Oakley has announced the hire of five new partners.

The new lawyers, spread out among the firm's tax, environment, corporate, insurance and projects practices, will work in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane.

In Melbourne, Mills Oakley has recruited former Herbert Smith Freehills lawyer Zac Kerr, former Gadens partner David Passarella and former M+K Lawyers principal John Turnbull. Kerr specializes in infrastructure projects and construction law, while Passarella advises on planning and environment matters in real estate developments. Turnball is a corporate lawyer, acting for clients on mergers and acquisitions and property transactions.