Brisbane, Australia (Photo: Maythee Voran/Shutterstock.com)

Norton Rose Fulbright has lost its second partner in Brisbane this year, after Australian firm Johnson Winter & Slattery poached Christine Small to join its disputes resolution team.

Small had been with Norton Rose for 17 years. Her exit follows the departure of workplace health and safety partner Aaron Anderson, who left the firm's Brisbane office in March to join Herbert Smith Freehills.

Small is experienced in managing complex and large-scale litigation, arbitrations and professional determinations across a variety of areas, including financial services, resources and infrastructure, property, general contractual and commercial disputes, JWS said in a statement.

The growth of the firm's disputes team is a result of increasing regulatory activity and a general uptick in major disputes, said JWS managing partner Peter Slattery.

Christine Small

"In addition to the market trends, we are seeing more opportunity for our disputes team as their reputation for success and cost-effectiveness becomes better known across the various markets in which we operate," Slattery said.

"Christine is a highly talented litigator and having her on the team will help us meet the growth in demand, as well as broaden out our team on the ground in Brisbane."

Small said she was looking forward to joining the team. "Johnson Winter & Slattery's experience in high-profile litigation, regulatory investigations and class actions is impressive and I'm excited to have the opportunity to play a part in the firm's future success," she said.