Attorney-General Robert McClelland has announced new appointments to the International Legal Services Advisory Council (ILSAC).

The newly appointed ILSAC members have been drawn from the senior ranks of Australia’s legal sector and legal education institutions. “The appointees bring an impressive range of specialist expertise and experience that will continue to guide the growth in Australian legal services being used overseas,” McClelland said.

Chairman of the council is Tim Bugg, director of Dobson, Mitchell & Allport Lawyers, Hobart. Commercial practitioners on the council include: Stuart Clark, Clayton Utz chief operating officer and managing partner international; John Denton Corrs Chambers Westgarth CEO; Robert Milliner, Mallesons Stephen Jaques CEO; Mary Padbury, Blake Dawson chairman; Russell Miller AM, partner and chairman at Minter Ellison; Dr Gordon Hughes a partner at Blake Dawson; Tim Lester, partner at Allens Arthur Robinson; Bronwyn Lincoln a partner, at Freehills; Kerry Ryan, Consultant, Norton Rose; David Krasnostein, head of global private equity, MLC and Fiona McLeod SC, barrister. The council will serve until 30 June 2013.

Recent figures released by ILSAC revealed total exports of Australian legal and related services was A$709 million for 2008/09. “These are impressive figures, and there are opportunities for further growth in our immediate region and beyond,” McClelland said.

The Federal Government recently announced a study to identify key legal services markets that Australia should focus on. The study will be jointly undertaken by ILSAC and the Attorney General’s Department.   “With the targeted advice from the market study, I am looking forward to working with ILSAC and Australian law firms to encourage expansion into markets that will give this important sector the greatest benefits” McClelland said.