Global 100 law firm Pinsent Masons has hired two partners for the firm's expanding infrastructure and energy practice in Australia.

Mark Waddell and James Morgan-Payler join from Norton Rose Fulbright and advise on major infrastructure projects, acting for developers, investors and major contractors, Pinsent Masons said in a statement.

"This substantial growth in the team furthers the ambition of the firm to have the depth and breadth of expertise to support every aspect of the market," the firm said.

Pinsent Masons has added 12 infrastructure and energy lawyers across Sydney, Melbourne and Perth in recent weeks, and has 29 lawyers and partners in its finance and projects team, plus the two most recent hires.

Based in Melbourne, Morgan-Payler was the head of the construction and engineering team at Norton Rose Fulbright in Australia. He has more than 18 years' experience, with a focus on the development of major infrastructure and public-private partnership projects, which extends across the power sector, ports, transport, mining, and commercial and residential developments.

Based in Sydney, Waddell brings more than 20 years' technical knowledge providing major construction, engineering and infrastructure contract drafting and advice. Specialising in complex infrastructure, his clients include construction contractors, infrastructure owners, operators and investors. He has also acted on some of China's largest infrastructure projects, having previously been based in Beijing and Hong Kong for five years.

"This is another exciting chapter in a period of real international expansion for the firm's finance and projects group, specifically across the infrastructure and energy sectors," said Michael Watson, head of finance and projects at Pinsent Masons.

"Our strategy responds to the market and is focused on providing clients the sector-led expertise they need to navigate some of the world's fastest-growing and changing regions. We are committed to providing local strength, with global resources."