Based in Sydney, MacPherson, who specialises in large scale patent litigation, advises across a number of industry sectors, including healthcare in respect to pharmaceuticals, life sciences and medical devices, consumer goods and retail, agribusiness and technology, media and telecommunications.

Baker McKenzie’s national managing partner Anthony Foley said the appointment was the result of many months of discussions and MacPherson was a welcome addition to the Sydney team.

“Baker McKenzie has a very clear strategy of growing our capabilities in areas of high value work to support our clients. Those areas include IPTech (including patent litigation) with Helen’s appointment, and likewise corporate with Lance Sacks coming on board as a partner last week – both the result of many months of discussions,” he told Lawyerly.

“We are very pleased to be able to offer our clients the best available talent in the market and Helen is certainly testament to this.”

Sacks, a former Clifford Chance partner, joined the firm’s corporate practice in Sydney earlier this month.

Baker McKenzie’s head of its IPTech practice in Australia, Andrew Stewart, said MacPherson’s patent litigation experience will complement the firm’s existing capabilities, both locally and globally.

“Helen’s skills and experience will assist to develop further the strength of that offering both in the pharma and technology areas,” Stewart said.

“What stood out early on in our discussions with Helen was her professionalism and dedication to her clients – both highly desirable attributes.”

MacPherson said she was excited to be joining the firm and its market leading IPTech practice.

“I look forward to working with the firm’s high calibre clients and having access to an unsurpassed global footprint,” she said.

MacPherson is the second partner to leave Norton Rose in May, with financial services partner Charlotte Henry defecting to Herbert Smith Freehills earlier this month.