A Sydney lawyer has been identified as the man killed in a suspected hit-and-run in the city’s eastern suburbs.
Despite attempts to resuscitate him, he was unable to be revived.
Police believe he was from the area and had been walking along the street before being struck by a vehicle.
East is believed to originally be from New Zealand and worked as a litigation lawyer for major law firm Arnold Bloch Leibler, located in Sydney’s CBD.
According to his LinkedIn profile, East had an extensive career in law, previously working as a Judge’s clerk in New Zealand’s Supreme Court and as a senior advisor of the Royal Commission of Inquiry into the Christchurch terrorist attack.
Arnold Bloch Leibler’s Managing Partners, Henry Lanzer and Paul Rubenstein, paid tribute to East in an email to staff this morning.
They described him as “a highly talented lawyer and popular and valued member of the firm, whose loss will be deeply felt”.
“The partners expressed heartfelt condolences to Mitch’s parents, his partner and many close friends, both within and outside of Arnold Bloch Leibler,” the email read.
New Zealand’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed consular officials were aware of East’s death.
“We extend our sympathies to their family at this difficult time,” a spokesperson said.
Police are now desperately appealing for information in the hopes of finding the driver of a white SUV that was captured on CCTV near Fletcher Street.
“If you’ve been involved in any way or have any information we want you to contact police,” he said.
“The family are obviously very upset and distraught and our hearts go out to them.”
Neighbours told 9News they heard a loud bang or thud followed by a car alarm around the same time the incident was reported.
