The firm has grown its financial services law division in the past 18 months to 14 lawyers and paralegals, with plans to keep expanding further through to next year.
EY said the growth has been driven by demand for integrated legal, tax and advisory services as clients seek cohesive teams to assist them with new product offerings and enhance their regulatory compliance and risk management frameworks.
Lisa-Marie McKechnie has taken the role of the legal division, having worked for 17 years in financial services.
She is a regular presenter for both the Association of Superannuation Funds of Australia (ASFA) and the Australian Institute of Superannuation Trustees (AIST) and is the NSW chair of the Australasian Life Underwriting and Claims Association.
“We are delighted to have Lisa-Marie join our expanding financial services law team focused on servicing our financial services clients at this time of significant regulatory change and disruption,” Michelle Segaert, partner, EY Financial Services Law said.
“Lisa-Marie is a rare breed of being both a superannuation and life insurance specialist. Her skills will complement our existing banking and finance regulatory, licensing and investment funds services.”
EY noted that Ms McKechnie has previously advised a wide range of superannuation funds in the retail and industry space and has worked with several key insurers and reinsurers, working with changing regulation.
“Financial services providers are facing a number of key challenges and there has never been a better time to offer clients the opportunity to access the broader services we have at EY,” Ms McKechnie said.
“I am excited to be joining Michelle Segaert and her team, and to have the opportunity to provide multidisciplinary services to clients in an increasingly challenging business environment.”
Sarah Simpkins
Sarah Simpkins is a journalist at Momentum Media, reporting primarily on banking, financial services and wealth.
Prior to joining the team in 2018, Sarah worked in trade media and produced stories for a current affairs program on community radio.
You can contact her on [email protected].
