Big Four accounting firm EY has hired a partner from Norton Rose Fulbright to join its growing Oceania financial services law team in Sydney.

Investment funds and financial services regulation lawyer Nikki Bentley joins the firm with more than 20 years' experience in financial services law in Australia and overseas.

"We are delighted to have Nikki join the expanding EY financial services law team. Her appointment is yet another example of the ongoing EY commitment to provide quality legal, tax and advisory services to our clients in the financial services sector," said EY Oceania wealth and asset management leader Antoinette Elias in a statement.

Bentley has previously advised many leading Australian and global financial services clients on a wide range of corporate, commercial and regulatory issues facing their businesses, including advising them on entering the Australian market, strategic investments and material outsourcing arrangements.

"The opportunity to be part of such a highly-regarded team of financial services industry professionals was integral in my decision to join EY. The team is well placed to assist clients with the complex challenges they are currently facing in an ever-changing regulatory environment," she said.

Fallout from the government-initiated inquiry into Australia's financial sector has led to a rise in demand for regulatory advice from lawyers, according to a report earlier this month by legal recruiter Mahlab.