Thynne + Macartney adds three partners and expands into Toowoomba

Two of the three new partners, Nicole Murdoch and Emily Harvey, will be based in Brisbane, with Raquel Bond establishing an office in Toowoomba.

Intellectual Property partner Nicole Murdoch, along with two staff members, transitioned to the firm through the acquisition of Brisbane-based EAGLEGATE Lawyers. Nicole is an experienced intellectual property, technology, cyber and privacy lawyer with almost 20 years’ experience guiding software, mining, food production and technology companies through the complexities of law, regulation and litigation.

Raquel Bond joined the firm’s leading Queensland Agriculture practice alongside partners Ari McCamley and Alex Ramsey. She brings more than 15 years’ experience advising farmers and landowners in the negotiation of complex coal seam gas, mining and resource and renewable energy agreements.

Employment partner Emily Harvey returned to the firm from a project-based role at a global resources firm to co-lead the firm’s Employment team with partner Damian Riggall in Brisbane. Emily has acted for employers at all stages of the employment life-cycle, from recruitment to conduct, performance and termination, and brings strong regulatory and compliance expertise, with a focus on organisational change.

General Manager Richard Knox said of the expansion, “These new hires continue to support the growth of the firm in our targeted sectors and markets. 2024 was a strong year for the firm and this investment in key capabilities sets us up for an exciting 2025.

“Nicole’s exceptional legal and technical capability in the IP, tech and cyber space enables us to provide expanded legal and commercial services.” He added, “we are delighted to see Emily return to the firm. She brings depth to our employment practice, which is a priority growth area for the firm.”

Speaking about opening an office in Toowoomba later this year, Richard said, “our expansion into Toowoomba was strategically timed. We have a long reputation as a key advisor within the Darling Downs and Western Downs regions, which we’ve built over decades through our regular visitation program. Raquel deepens our agriculture capability and will allow us to offer enhanced hands-on service to regional clients. As Australia’s largest inland centre, it’s an exciting time to be part of the growth story of Toowoomba.”

In addition to three new partners, the firm also welcomed lawyers Rhys Fuller and Xintao (Tommy) Chen to the intellectual property team.

These additions grow Thynne + Macartney’s partner numbers to 19.