Sydney, Australia. Photo: Shutterstock.com

Australian national law firm Gadens has hired PricewaterhouseCoopers legal partner Mark Pistilli as chief executive of its Melbourne and Sydney partnership.

Pistilli was a legal partner on PwC's legal leadership team and practiced across corporate and commercial matters, including in mergers and acquisitions, strategic boardroom advisory, major projects and litigation strategy. He was also a founding and managing partner of Clifford Chance in Australia and its predecessor firm, Chang, Pistilli & Simmons, Gadens said.

"We are delighted to appoint someone of Mark's caliber to lead our firm," Gadens chairman Jeremy Smith said in a statement. "Gadens is a firm on the rise, and Mark's background and experience will be of enormous benefit to us—especially as we look to significantly grow our presence in the Sydney market. Mark has a wealth of experience in building and managing high-performing law firms and teams."

Smith said 40% of the firm's current partnership was been appointed in the last three years, many of whom have joined from top-tier Australian and global firms.

"These appointments have enhanced the firm's capabilities in key practice areas, such as banking and finance, construction, corporate advisory, disputes and litigation, and intellectual property and technology," he said. "Mark is an exceptional candidate, great leader and ideally suited to the role".

Gadens describes itself as a leading Australian law firm comprising an association of independent firms with offices in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

"Throughout the recruitment process, I was extremely impressed by the passion shown by the partners in their firm, their ambition to build a leading national firm, and the acceptance that the firm needs to evolve to meet the ever-changing market," Pistilli said.

Asked about Pistilli's departure, PwC global legal services leader Tony O'Malley said, "This is an exciting role and leadership opportunity for Mark and we wish him every success."