Corrs Chambers Westgarth’s former head of gender equality says Ashurst’s superior record on promoting women was a factor in her decision to join the top-tier global firm.

Felicity Healy’s departure from Corrs comes after chief executive Gavin MacLaren was awarded a controversial contract extension, which could deliver him as much as $100 million pay over a decade. It also follows the departure of a number of high-profile women at the firm.