Freehills consultant Kathleen Farrell is the first practicing lawyer to be appointed as president of the Takeovers Panel by the Federal Government.
Announcing the appointment, which commences from 1 September 2010, Minister for Financial Services, Superannuation, and Corporate Law, Chris Bowen said that as a serving member of the Takeovers Panel between 2001 and 2010, Kathleen was an excellent choice to lead the panel into its second decade.
The Takeovers Panel is the primary forum for resolving takeover disputes in Australia and Kathleen's appointment follows the much-admired presidency of Macquarie Bank's Simon McKeon.
Freehills CEO Gavin Bell congratulated Kathleen on her appointment which appropriately recognised her as one of Australia’s leading experts on M&A.
‘Kathleen has worked at Freehills as a solicitor, partner and consultant and has always embodied the commerciality and values central to this firm.
‘As one of Freehills’ earliest female partners, she has also been a groundbreaking leader. I’m very pleased that in addition to her substantial involvement as a legal and business leader outside the firm she has, and will continue, to work with Freehills.’
Ms Farrell was appointed as a partner at Freehills in 1984 and has worked as a consultant at the firm since 2000. She is the immediate past chair of the Business Law Section of the Law Council of Australia and has represented the Law Council on the ASX Corporate Governance Council. She is also a director of the Australian Institute of Management (NSW and ACT) Limited and was a director of Colorado Group Limited, Standard Chartered Grindlays Bank Limited and Pacific Power and a council member of the Securities Institute of Australia.
In 1992–93, Ms Farrell was the national coordinator for enforcement at the Australian Securities Commission (now known as ASIC).
Freehills partner Rodd Levy is also a member of the Takeovers Panel.
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