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Bryn and Dave have“ brought a much deeper capacity to service clients’ capital

needs - Andrew Pascoe

Andrew Pascoe (left) and Bryn Hardcastle aim to drive more expansion at Allens. Photo: David Henry

Allens, Thomson Geer lead growth

There has been plenty of change during the past year in Perth’s legal fraternity, which is enjoying healthy trade.

There also have been some big plays Some of the drivers of work had been aided by Allens’ national in corporate law, with Allens and included foreign investment presence. Thomson Geer being two of the biggest transactions, general commercial “There has been a real positive movers. disputes and regulatory energy, both within the Perth team but Herbert Smith Freehills continues to investigations. also nationally,” he said. be Perth’s largest law firm, according Sitting just below this group is “The support from the firm to Business News’s Data & Insights. another national firm, Allens, which nationally and its willingness to invest Mark Beyer It has 21 partners and 130 legal has enjoyed sustained growth over equity here for the long term, it’s been [email protected] professionals in WA. the past few years. part of a strategy and it’s bearing fruit.” HSF has recently appointed a new It has 14 partners and a total of 87 Mr Pascoe said the resources sector managing partner, Elizabeth Macknay, legal professionals in WA, up from 62 was a big driver of activity in WA, to lead the firm in WA (see page 32). three years ago. but the growth had been reflected It is followed by three national firms Corporate partner Andrew Pascoe in its main practice areas, including IF the establishment of new firms is – MinterEllison, Clayton Utz and HWL said Allens had achieved growth in corporate finance, projects, banking a guide to a buoyant legal services Ebsworth – which are of a very similar head count and performance over an and disputes. market, then Western Australia is scale in WA (see list, page 36). extended period. Allens is seeking to broaden clearly in a good place. Clayton Utz managing partner Brett “That growth has been driven by, its corporate practice in WA after Several new firms have been Cohen said his firm was enjoying a and reflected in, head count growth,” recruiting Bryn Hardcastle and Dave launched in WA during the past 12 continued strong level of activity. he said. Filov from HWL Ebsworth at the start months, targetting opportunities “It’s always busy when there is “It’s across practice groups and of this year. in areas as diverse as media and change,” Mr Cohen told Business reflects a broader mix of work.” intellectual property. News. Mr Pascoe said the local practice Continued on page 29

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FEATURE SPONSORED CONTENT LAW FIRMS Precedented times MAJOR LEGAL MOVES

Thomson Geer – poached DLA Piper’s 12-member corporate finance team

Integrated IP – launched by four former Griffith Hack principals

McCabe Curwood – acquired Perth insurance firm SRB Legal calls and charging appropriately for time, proved difficult. Many offic- es were forced to remain open, and Allens workarounds were made for remote – recruited two corporate access to systems at the expense of partners from HWL security and productivity. On premise Ebsworth servers and phone systems were also not ideal to support the rapid decen- tralisation of staff. Steedman Stagg Lawyers Stephen O’Keefe We have helped many business- – established by two Managing Director es in the industry to centralise their TBTC Perth South former Lavan partners phone system and collaboration tools in Microsoft’s cloud using Office 365. You can retain your existing landline As we enter the 18th month since number from most Telcos and mi- Kennedy Vinciullo COVID-19 became a part of our lives grate this to the cloud. This allows – launched by two former around the globe, there are several you to leverage existing Microsoft li- Mason Ledger partners phrases and clichés that need to be censing costs you may be incurring. dropped from our lexicon. If I have to It also allows calls to come through read one more article talking about Teams on your phone or PC, as well ‘unprecedented times’ or the ‘new as enabling call recording, and time- normal’, I may just fall asleep at my who previously worked there, and had based billing through Dubber, an From page 27 keyboard. In fact, the word ‘unprec- described the firm as a much more Australian cloud-based call recording edented’ was People’s Choice Word They had joined HWL only one year significant, sophisticated version of software. of the Year for 2020. Our familiarity earlier, after it bought their former Bellanhouse. You can also take advantage of with masks, social distancing and business, Bellanhouse Lawyers. Mr Pascoe said the timing was Exchange Online Archiving for com- lockdowns means that these times Mr Hardcastle said the nature of his serendipitous as they had been working pliance, regulatory, and eDiscovery are now in fact precedented. Soci- work had not changed, with a focus on closely on a matter for a joint client. challenges. ety is constantly adapting to change, small- and mid-cap listed companies. “The planets aligned for us,” he said. Businesses need the ability to work and while COVID-19 has presented “I think the market expects that Surprisingly, Mr Hardcastle said from wherever they are without being us with a significant adjustment, the Allens is only doing the bigger work,” Allens shared the same culture as restricted based on access to phys- need to adapt in business has nev- he said. Bellanhouse, despite their vast ical premises. At Telstra Business er been unprecedented. If anything, “We’re in a broader market now and differences in size and focus. Technology Centre Perth South, we COVID-19 has simply reaffirmed the I think we’ve been very successful in “I’ve found Allens to be the same as work with local businesses to turn necessity for businesses to consis- getting new work.” Bellanhouse, which was a culture of technology into opportunity. If you tently plan ahead and prepare for fu- Mr Hardcastle said there were many care,” he said. would like to hear more about how we ture uncertainty. positives from the move to Allens. “I have not seen the same respect for have helped organisations like yours, One industry that knows all about “The support, the business structure, people and their careers as I have seen feel free to reach out to us on info@ precedents is the legal profession. the depth of experience, it’s a very at Allens.” tbtcperthsouth.com.au or call us on My experience supporting clients different beast,” he said. Mr Hardcastle said he was still 1300 4BUSINESS. such as this through the pandemic “That makes it a very easy sell to our working on small transactions. found some to be rigid and dated in clients. For instance, he recently advised on “We can offer something now that we the $5 million initial public offering of their technology. This meant that the couldn’t offer before.” Albion Resources. transition to remote working, secure Mr Hardcastle said the idea of joining file management, collaboration, man- Allens was first suggested by Mr Filov, Continued on page 30 aging inbound and outbound phone

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Matthew Yeates (left) with principals Steven Starkie, Andreas Hartmann and Tony Mizzi.Photo: David Henry

From page 29 Our core service is intangible asset management: “We’ve certainly found that.”

Mr Pascoe said this should be just patents,“ trademarks, trade secrets - Matthew Yeates New firms the start. The new firms in the Perth market “We don’t want him to be focused reflect a range of opportunities. exclusively on the $5 million IPOs but Competition to account for the extra work we are Steedman Stagg Lawyers was that’s an important feeder channel for getting from that model.” established by James Steedman and A rapidly emerging competitor in the our broader practice,” he said. Mr Gibson said the corporate team Nick Stagg, who were previously at corporate law space is Thomson Geer, “We are aiming to deliver the full range had been helped by Thomson Geer’s Lavan. which was boosted last year when it of services through their life journey, from other practice areas, which included Their firm specialises in dispute secured the services of one of Perth’s pre-IPO to project development. construction, litigation and regulation. resolution and commercial law, with top corporate teams from DLA Piper. “Bryn and Dave have brought a much “We’re able to scale up to do the big a particular focus on media and This occurred about 18 months after deeper capacity to service clients’ transactions as well as scaling down defamation. Thomson Geer entered the WA market capital needs.” to do the smaller IPOs and backdoor Another boutique firm is Gaffney by acquiring LSV Borrello, which was While national firms like Allens listings,” he said. & Palermo Lawyers, established by focused on property and litigation. typically charge higher fees than “We’ve complemented that with the Marisa Palermo and Sarah Gaffney- The recruits were led by renowned boutique law firms like Bellanhouse, mining and asset work for the small Smith, who previously worked at corporate lawyer Michael Bowen, his Mr Hardcastle insists that will not be a and mid-cap miners. Gilbert + Tobin. fellow partners Scott Gibson and Marc problem. “That has created a real opportunity.” They have a flexible business model Wilshaw, and nine legal and support “If you are good at what you do, then Another positive Mr Gibson identified under which they will work directly for you can price accordingly,” he said. staff. was Australian companies shifting their their own clients as well as consulting “If you are efficient and can deliver Mr Gibson told Business News that geographic focus, in part because of to Blackwall Legal. a service, then your pricing doesn’t Thomson Geer had recruited a further COVID-19 travel restrictions. Blackwall’s managing partner and become an issue.” six people since the move. “In the past 12 months, there has been founder, Chris Pearce, said this was a Mr Pascoe said Allens had already He explained that Thomson Geer a real focus of our clients returning to win-win. modified its approach to billing rates. recognised a gap in the market, after onshore Australia,” he said. “It works well for us as we can “Before Bryn and Dave joined us, local boutique firms had been absorbed While Thomson Geer was a fairly new strengthen our team and we have we have been adopting a much more by national and international law firms. brand in Perth, Mr Gibson said that plenty of work to feed through to them, flexible approach to pricing to that “We’ve had a focus on getting back hadn’t held back the local operation. and it’s great for Marisa and Sarah as end,” he said. to the Hardy Bowen or Blakiston Crabb “Perth doesn’t necessarily reward big they have the flexibility to work directly He added this new approach aligned style of practising, where we do the brands, it rewards individuals,” he said. for others as well,” he said. with the expectations of Allens’ corporate work as well as the asset- “Our clients have had no problem Mr Pearce said Blackwall had used strategic partner, London-based law based mining work,” Mr Gibson told moving across. the same model with experienced firm Linklaters. Business News. “As long as the people, and the rate lawyers Will Moncrieff and Rob “They are very commercial and “We’ve drawn that back into our and the bench depth are right, they are McKenzie, who consult through their willing to discuss fees,” Mr Pascoe said. practice here, so we have expanded prepared to back you. own organisation, McKenzie Moncrieff.

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Blackwall has grown to have 17 The exits have included Richard “My experience comes from being a “Getting the patent in place is people on its team, including recent Baddeley, who moved last year to 20 year old making lots of mistakes. important but it’s not the only thing,” recruit Jeff Malone, who had been a Wrays after 31 years at Watermark. “I’ve sat on the client side and he said. special counsel at Lavan. Wrays considered the appointment understand all the headaches.” “It’s a lot more satisfying working Another new firm has emerged from as a coup, with Mr Baddeley regarded His experience has included the with the client and helping them get the dramatic downsizing at Mason as a stalwart of the intellectual sale of his innovative flooring system their product into the market. Ledger. property industry. IP to Swedish company Välinge. “Almost invariably the invention Carla Vinciullo and Tim Kennedy Wrays has grown to have 11 Mr Yeates subsequently spent three goes nowhere. had been among many people principals in WA and a total of 21 legal years with Griffith Hack, followed by “The inventions might be recruited by Mason Ledger, which had professionals. three years with its sister company technically good but the inventors ambitious plans. Glasshouse Advisory. themselves, particularly at small They have started trading as IPH sold off Glasshouse’s R&D tax businesses, don’t have a clue how to Kennedy Vinciullo, a boutique advice practice to accounting firm get it into market. commercial law firm based in West Grant Thornton and shut down the “They don’t know the steps along Perth. rest of the business in May 2020. the way, or the costs involved. Mr Yeates said intellectual property 21PARTNERS AT HSF “You need to recognise all the touch IP firms management was at the heart of the points required to get a product into Yet another new firm is Nedlands- new firm’s offering, with advisory the market.” based Integrated IP, which was It is one of the largest independent services added on. Mr Mizzi said another line of work established by four former principals IP specialist firms in Australia, with “Our core service is intangible asset was advising people how to extract from Griffith Hack. Mr Baddeley’s recruitment boosting its management: patents, trademarks, the best value from an existing patent Their exit adds to a string of strength in the energy and resources trade secrets,” he said. departures from Griffith Hack, which sectors. “The nexus of what we are today or IP portfolio. is owned by ASX-listed company IPH. Integrated IP has been established is putting IP in the centre and Mr Mizzi’s exit from Griffith Hack Through a series of deals, IPH with a focus on combining traditional integrating services around that.” came after 25 years with the firm. was owner of both Griffith Hack and IP attorney services with commercial Mr Yeates is also the founder and He said the change from being an Watermark, which were merged. advice. director of Vertex Design Australia, a owner of a privately held firm to a Five years ago, the two IP firms had This reflects the combined product development and marketing shareholder in an ASX-listed company a combined total of eight partners experience of its principals, including company. was more significant than he had and 20 legal professionals (including Matthew Yeates and Tony Mizzi. He said this added another anticipated. Matthew Yeates (left) with principals Steven Starkie, Andreas Hartmann and Tony Mizzi.Photo: David Henry patent attorneys) in WA. “I actually had my own inventions, I dimension to what IP could offer. “Griffith Hack was like a factory,” Now, Griffith Hack has just three was a client of Tony’s at Griffith Hack,” Mr Mizzi said he was keen to bring Mr Mizzi said. principals in WA. Mr Yeates said. a more commercial focus to his work. “The fun factor went as well.”

From page 29 Our core service is intangible asset management: “We’ve certainly found that.”

Mr Pascoe said this should be just patents,“ trademarks, trade secrets - Matthew Yeates New firms the start. The new firms in the Perth market “We don’t want him to be focused reflect a range of opportunities. exclusively on the $5 million IPOs but Competition to account for the extra work we are Steedman Stagg Lawyers was that’s an important feeder channel for getting from that model.” established by James Steedman and A rapidly emerging competitor in the our broader practice,” he said. Mr Gibson said the corporate team Nick Stagg, who were previously at corporate law space is Thomson Geer, “We are aiming to deliver the full range had been helped by Thomson Geer’s Lavan. which was boosted last year when it of services through their life journey, from other practice areas, which included Their firm specialises in dispute secured the services of one of Perth’s Around the World… pre-IPO to project development. construction, litigation and regulation. resolution and commercial law, with top corporate teams from DLA Piper. “Bryn and Dave have brought a much “We’re able to scale up to do the big a particular focus on media and This occurred about 18 months after and Right Here at Home deeper capacity to service clients’ transactions as well as scaling down defamation. Thomson Geer entered the WA market capital needs.” to do the smaller IPOs and backdoor Another boutique firm is Gaffney by acquiring LSV Borrello, which was 130 years and counting. That’s how far back our roots go in While national firms like Allens listings,” he said. & Palermo Lawyers, established by focused on property and litigation. Western Australia. We have grown and changed over the years typically charge higher fees than “We’ve complemented that with the Marisa Palermo and Sarah Gaffney- The recruits were led by renowned but we remain grounded in this unique business environment. We boutique law firms like Bellanhouse, mining and asset work for the small Smith, who previously worked at corporate lawyer Michael Bowen, his have the local knowledge, the deep relationships and the hands-on Mr Hardcastle insists that will not be a and mid-cap miners. Gilbert + Tobin. fellow partners Scott Gibson and Marc experience to deliver practical solutions to complex legal issues. problem. “That has created a real opportunity.” They have a flexible business model Wilshaw, and nine legal and support “If you are good at what you do, then Another positive Mr Gibson identified under which they will work directly for staff. We are also part of a global network of 45 offices spanning 20 you can price accordingly,” he said. was Australian companies shifting their their own clients as well as consulting countries, providing you with the contacts and influence needed to Mr Gibson told Business News that “If you are efficient and can deliver geographic focus, in part because of to Blackwall Legal. access markets and opportunities across Asia Pacific and beyond. a service, then your pricing doesn’t Thomson Geer had recruited a further COVID-19 travel restrictions. Blackwall’s managing partner and become an issue.” six people since the move. “In the past 12 months, there has been founder, Chris Pearce, said this was a Whether you are looking to expand your domestic or international Mr Pascoe said Allens had already He explained that Thomson Geer a real focus of our clients returning to win-win. markets, explore new investment opportunities, identify new modified its approach to billing rates. recognised a gap in the market, after onshore Australia,” he said. “It works well for us as we can sources of funding or investigate alternative suppliers or products – “Before Bryn and Dave joined us, local boutique firms had been absorbed While Thomson Geer was a fairly new strengthen our team and we have we can help. we have been adopting a much more by national and international law firms. brand in Perth, Mr Gibson said that plenty of work to feed through to them, flexible approach to pricing to that “We’ve had a focus on getting back hadn’t held back the local operation. and it’s great for Marisa and Sarah as Tony Chong end,” he said. to the Hardy Bowen or Blakiston Crabb “Perth doesn’t necessarily reward big they have the flexibility to work directly Perth Managing Partner and Head of Asia Desk (AU) He added this new approach aligned style of practising, where we do the brands, it rewards individuals,” he said. for others as well,” he said. E [email protected] with the expectations of Allens’ corporate work as well as the asset- “Our clients have had no problem Mr Pearce said Blackwall had used strategic partner, London-based law based mining work,” Mr Gibson told moving across. the same model with experienced Local Connections. Global Influence. firm Linklaters. Business News. “As long as the people, and the rate lawyers Will Moncrieff and Rob www.squirepb.com “They are very commercial and “We’ve drawn that back into our and the bench depth are right, they are McKenzie, who consult through their willing to discuss fees,” Mr Pascoe said. practice here, so we have expanded prepared to back you. own organisation, McKenzie Moncrieff.

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[T]he support was“ there for people at all levels, no matter what your background or gender - Elizabeth Macknay

Elizabeth Macknay is office managing partner at Herbert Smith Freehills. Photo: David Henry

Slow ascent for female lawyers

There has been some notable progress for women in law, but they have come off a low base.

How far has the industry come since The women who run law firms in progression, after leading the disputes 1994? Perth say the industry has come a long team and working closely with her Judging by the numbers, not very, way and will get better. predecessor, Tony Joyner, and other according to a survey of law firms listed section heads. in Business News’s Data & Insights. Freehills’ perspective “I’ve really enjoyed the bolt-on of Of the 50 largest firms in Perth, only At HSF, Ms Macknay’s appointment having a management role in addition six have a female managing partner (or came shortly after another Perth-raised to my practice,” she said. Mark Beyer equivalent). female lawyer, Rebecca Maslen- Ms Macknay said the managing [email protected] That small group got a boost this Stannage, was elected global chair and partner role was a new challenge for month when Elizabeth Macknay started senior partner. her career and provided an opportunity JULIE Bishop is well known for her as office managing partner at Perth’s Reflecting on her start in the to influence the firm and assist others. achievements in politics. Less well largest law firm, Herbert Smith Freehills. industry, Ms Macknay said the two She added that she would bring a known is her history as a ground Among the larger firms, this group women went back a long way. strong knowledge of the firm’s national breaker in law. includes Elizabeth Tylich at Jackson “I did my final clerkship at what and regional networks. In 1994, Ms Bishop was made McDonald and Kirsty Sutherland at was then Freehill Hollingdale & Page, “I’ve done a lot of work across the managing partner at the Perth office of Corrs Chambers Westgarth. and I was lucky enough to be put in Australia-Asia corridor and I know law firm Clayton Utz, an appointment It also includes HopgoodGanim the disputes team and my ‘buddy’ particularly the Hong Kong, Singapore considered the first of its kind for a Lawyers, where Robyn Ferguson has was none other than Rebecca,” she and Tokyo offices pretty well, and from a woman at a major law firm in Australia. been partner-in-charge since 2014. said. Perth perspective that’s very important.” Getting there wasn’t easy. Her first HopgoodGanim’s Perth office is “I quickly decided Freehills was a role after graduating from law school something of a rarity in the industry: really good fit for me, both in terms of Role models was with Adelaide firm Wallmans. half of its eight partners are women. the kind of work it does but also the Ms Maslen-Stannage said female role Ms Bishop was the first female the Ms Ferguson also shared some level of support. models helped with her career. firm had accepted as an articled clerk, national statistics that reflect where the “From that very early stage, it was When she moved to Sydney and yet just weeks after joining she was industry as a whole is at. very clear the support was there for started working in mergers and famously asked to carry the drinks tray Women comprise 54 per cent of people at all levels, no matter what acquisitions, there were already three at a client function. HopgoodGanim’s fee-earning staff, but your background or gender.” prominent female corporate partners. She didn’t stay at Wallmans for long just 29 per cent of partners and only 20 Ms Macknay’s move to office “It was perfectly normal to be after that incident. per cent of equity partners. managing partner was a logical successful,” she said.

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“Once you get that across your “It’s very central to our whole organisation, it means people consideration, it’s not just given lip don’t hang back from putting service,” Ms Macknay said. [T]he support themselves forward for leadership Ms Maslen-Stannage said her positions. decision to run for global chair was“ there for people “If you have a role and there are no was helped by elite London firm females on the short list, people are Freshfields’ selection of Georgia at all levels, no going to say ‘Hang on a minute, why Dawson as senior partner last year. aren’t there? Surely among all our “That was a great signal,” she said. matter what your talent there should be’.” “If Freshfields does that, there is no background or Ms Maslen-Stannage said HSF was reason HSF would not.” also focused on cultural diversity Similarly, she hopes her election will gender - Elizabeth Macknay across the business. encourage others. “We’ve always been about having Ms Maslen-Stannage’s path to being the best talent and we are trying to global chair started a decade ago when remove barriers to having the best she was an in-house deal lawyer for talent,” she said. the merger between Freehills and UK Ms Maslen-Stannage acknowledged firm Herbert Smith. the problems faced by women in the “It gave me a lot of exposure to sector. people around the firm and I really “Historically, there has certainly got very interested in the international been an issue,” she said. nature of the firm,” she said. “We’ve put enormous work, for She expanded her knowledge by Elizabeth Macknay is decades now, into addressing that. being a member of HSF’s global council. office managing partner at “We were doing unconscious bias Ms Maslen-Stannage plans to Herbert Smith Freehills. training 20 years ago. combine the new role with her M&A Photo: David Henry “We’ve kept a real focus on targets work. to get our female partner numbers up, “I just love doing deals, it’s but also in leadership roles.” Rebecca Maslen-Stannage says cultural diversity is a focus at the firm. something that really energises me,” HSF’s target is for women to she said. comprise 35 per cent of all partners. “I’ll be pretty busy, but I always It is currently just short of 30 per Ms Macknay said partner performance Similarly, new partner promotions have been so that’s okay.” cent nationally, while Perth is a little assessments included contributions to included an assessment of what the Slow ascent for female lawyers lower. diversity and inclusion. individual would do to support diversity. Continued on page 34

There has been some notable progress for women in law, but they have come off a low base.

How far has the industry come since The women who run law firms in progression, after leading the disputes 1994? Perth say the industry has come a long team and working closely with her Blackwall Legal is Judging by the numbers, not very, way and will get better. predecessor, Tony Joyner, and other according to a survey of law firms listed section heads. in Business News’s Data & Insights. Freehills’ perspective “I’ve really enjoyed the bolt-on of your complete Of the 50 largest firms in Perth, only At HSF, Ms Macknay’s appointment having a management role in addition six have a female managing partner (or came shortly after another Perth-raised to my practice,” she said. Mark Beyer equivalent). female lawyer, Rebecca Maslen- Ms Macknay said the managing [email protected] That small group got a boost this Stannage, was elected global chair and partner role was a new challenge for business law solution month when Elizabeth Macknay started senior partner. her career and provided an opportunity JULIE Bishop is well known for her as office managing partner at Perth’s Reflecting on her start in the to influence the firm and assist others. achievements in politics. Less well largest law firm, Herbert Smith Freehills. industry, Ms Macknay said the two She added that she would bring a Blackwall Legal LLP is a Perth-based legal services provider of choice to large, medium and small known is her history as a ground Among the larger firms, this group women went back a long way. strong knowledge of the firm’s national breaker in law. includes Elizabeth Tylich at Jackson “I did my final clerkship at what and regional networks. businesses in all aspects of business law. We advise companies on listings, boards on disputes and In 1994, Ms Bishop was made McDonald and Kirsty Sutherland at was then Freehill Hollingdale & Page, “I’ve done a lot of work across the managing partner at the Perth office of Corrs Chambers Westgarth. and I was lucky enough to be put in Australia-Asia corridor and I know capital providers on their investments. law firm Clayton Utz, an appointment It also includes HopgoodGanim the disputes team and my ‘buddy’ particularly the Hong Kong, Singapore considered the first of its kind for a Lawyers, where Robyn Ferguson has was none other than Rebecca,” she and Tokyo offices pretty well, and from a We provide strategic, efficient advice for all corporate and commercial law situations. woman at a major law firm in Australia. been partner-in-charge since 2014. said. Perth perspective that’s very important.” Getting there wasn’t easy. Her first HopgoodGanim’s Perth office is “I quickly decided Freehills was a role after graduating from law school something of a rarity in the industry: really good fit for me, both in terms of Role models Our primary focus is always on understanding what you need and how we can add value. We was with Adelaide firm Wallmans. half of its eight partners are women. the kind of work it does but also the Ms Maslen-Stannage said female role provide the transparency and flexibility that sophisticated clients require. Ms Bishop was the first female the Ms Ferguson also shared some level of support. models helped with her career. firm had accepted as an articled clerk, national statistics that reflect where the “From that very early stage, it was When she moved to Sydney and yet just weeks after joining she was industry as a whole is at. very clear the support was there for started working in mergers and famously asked to carry the drinks tray Women comprise 54 per cent of people at all levels, no matter what acquisitions, there were already three at a client function. HopgoodGanim’s fee-earning staff, but your background or gender.” prominent female corporate partners. www.blackwall.legal She didn’t stay at Wallmans for long just 29 per cent of partners and only 20 Ms Macknay’s move to office “It was perfectly normal to be after that incident. per cent of equity partners. managing partner was a logical successful,” she said.

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From page 33

The election process included submitting a written statement and Ensuring that If you want swift, video explaining her plans for the role and vision for the firm. actual“ mindsets For starters, she believes the merger has gone well, with the two firms match the policies cost-effective having complementary strengths and geographic footprints. “They brought a great international that promote women platform, and we were the missing is the key - Robyn Ferguson piece of the puzzle,” Ms Maslen- resolution of Stannage said. “We think it has gone very well. “A really important factor was that it was a true merger. “We are truly a single firm and that’s been very good for us.” legal matters, She said HSF was aiming to take advantage of the disruption caused by COVID-19 and other events. “The world is different from how it has been in the past; there has been you’re on the Robyn Ferguson says formal some disruption and there is going to policies need to be backed be more,” Ms Maslen-Stannage told with positive attitudes. Business News. “We want to be a firm that really benefits from that, by looking at how wrong street. we do things differently, how we connect better. “We want to integrate digital Corrs was one of just a few big These include a move away from “I know that others have had some technology more and integrate that national firms that chose to stay short-term, quantitative targets. difficulties; I look to support people with our practice, that’s one key theme independent. “As an example of that, there is around me.” that TJ [Tony Joyner] has been quite “It was a very deliberate decision at no longer a focus on daily billable Ms Ferguson told Business News the instrumental in driving for us and will the time,” she said. hours,” Ms Sutherland told Business firm was aiming to help people at all continue to be.” “That has played out very well for us.” News stages of their career. Her goal was for HSF to gain more Ms Sutherland took six months’ “The focus, instead, is what you are “We need to support people right benefits from its international network. maternity leave after the birth of her expected to do over the course of the from grad level and into senior roles and two children and has worked flexibly year; when you do that and where you leadership roles,” she said. Support key ever since. do that is up to you. ”One of the big parts of that is making Corrs’ partner-in-charge, Kirsty This has included working from “That was incredibly liberating, sure there is a clear path for flexible Sutherland, is another lawyer who home, and mostly working 80 per cent especially for those trying to work working if you want to have children.” has benefited from admirable role full-time equivalent. flexibly.” Some of the specific initiatives models. “To be honest, I’ve never seen it as An increase in annual leave to five adopted by HopgoodGanim includes “Right from the beginning I had very an impediment,” she said. weeks per year, for all staff across the capacity to work part time, compressed Choose a swifter, sharper strong female role models even though “I perhaps didn’t appreciate how firm, also afforded more flexibility. hours, and job sharing. it was the ’90s and you hear all sorts much support there was when I had Ms Sutherland believes women It supports women engaged in legal of things about what was happening my children, because it still was working flexibly were also aided by networks and awards programs. and more nimble law firm. in law firms, it was a very different pretty rare for an equity partner to be a shift towards collaboration, for The firm has a policy where all experience at Corrs,” Ms Sutherland working anything other than full time instance where people are rewarded employees are eligible for promotion said. and full on.” for introducing work to others in the while on parental leave. While we’re sure most big St Georges Tce law firms have To book an initial chat at Her supervising partner was Carmel “We weren’t particularly evolved in firm. In addition, periods of leave count McLure, who was head of the firm’s terms of having systems and structures “As a top-tier national law firm, you towards years of service, and a paid litigation practice and went on to to support me but there was certainly still need to work hard, there’s no way parental bonus and budget relief your best interests at heart, their business model is to our modest Subi office, become president of the Court of no inhibitor to me doing it. of avoiding that, but its giving people are offered for those returning from Appeal in 2009; the first woman to hold “We’ve got much better at providing more control over what that looks parental leave. charge you in 6-minute blocks. For them, time is money. call (08) 6188 3340 that position. the systems and structures so that is like,” she said. Beyond the formal programs and Ms Sutherland’s career included five achievable for everybody and not just policies, Ms Ferguson said attitudes or visit our website. years in Melbourne, where she was someone like me who was already an More than policies were critical. promoted to partner. equity partner and had been with the HopgoodGanim’s Robyn Ferguson “Ultimately what cuts through, I But Pragma offers a disruptive new alternative. “The fact I came back to Perth as firm for a long time and had a high is another successful lawyer who think, are leaders, male and female, www.pragma.law a partner was helpful because it was level of support.” has combined maternity leave and walking the walk and showing that We offer fixed-price or outcomes-based remuneration. around the time Corrs became a fully- Ms Sutherland said Corrs had a range flexible work with her career. parental leave, and parental care integrated national firm,” she said. of programs and policies specifically “I have had great mentors and responsibilities, are not negatively Our innovative team works with precision to resolve disputes She also had a stint on the firm’s to assist women, but she suspected support, both male and female,” Ms impactful on progression,” she said. national board, around the time global the biggest impact came from policies Ferguson said. “Ensuring that actual mindsets match and other legal matters quickly and cost-effectively so firms descended on the Australian designed to assist the business “It’s been a really positive the policies that promote women is the market. generally. experience for me. key.” you can move on with life.

34 | Business News May 17, 2021 May 17, 2021 Business News | PB

PB | Business News May 17, 2021 May 17, 2021 Business News | PB If you want swift, cost-effective resolution of legal matters, you’re on the wrong street.

Choose a swifter, sharper and more nimble law firm.

While we’re sure most big St Georges Tce law firms have To book an initial chat at your best interests at heart, their business model is to our modest Subi office, charge you in 6-minute blocks. For them, time is money. call (08) 6188 3340 or visit our website. But Pragma offers a disruptive new alternative. www.pragma.law We offer fixed-price or outcomes-based remuneration. Our innovative team works with precision to resolve disputes and other legal matters quickly and cost-effectively so you can move on with life. FEATURE LAW FIRMS WA’S LARGEST LAW FIRMS AND PATENT ATTORNEYS Data & Insights Ranked by total number of legal professionals in WA

Offices Total Year a) WA staff Senior executive est. in b) inter- in

Rank Change - previ from ous year Company name and title WA state of No. Partners of No. Senior Associates/ Associates Of No. Consultants Oth - of No. er Qualified - Pro Legal fessionals of No. Total - Pro Legal fessionals WA Types of Law Practiced

Banking and finance, technology, media and telecommunications, mergers Herbert Smith Ms Elizabeth Macknay 1868 a) 1 21 35 5 69 225 and acquisitions, competition law, litigation and dispute resolution, corporate 1 — Freehills Managing partner, Perth b) 3 130 crime and investigations, projects and infrastructure, real estate, environment and planning, regulatory and government affairs, restructuring... Offer a range of solutions ‚ for example, providing end-to-end support Mr Matthew Knox a) 1 throughout the lifecycle of a deal; mitigating risk in a range of complex 2  MinterEllison Managing partner, WA 2011 b) 7 16 29 4 45 94 145 procurement scenarios; providing support and advice on competition and insolvency issues, and leading Boards and executive leadership team … Banking & finance, corporate/M&A, capital markets, competition, construction Mr Brett Cohen a) 1 and major projects, corporate finance, cyber security, energy & resources, 3  Clayton Utz Partner in-charge, Perth 1877 b) 5 14 21 6 52 93 145 environment & planning, insolvency & restructuring, intellectual property and information technology, litigation and dispute resolution, native title... Aged Care and retirement living, agribusiness, automotive, banking and finance HWL Ebsworth Mr Mitch Artus 1897 a) 1 21 28 19 25 142 (acquisition finance, asset and structured finance, project, resources and 4  Lawyers Partner b) 8 93 infrastructure finance, property finance, securitisation) capital markets (debt capital markets, equity capital markets), climate change and sustainability... Mr Gerard Woods Corporate and commercial advisory, mergers and acquisitions, energy a) 1 and resources, property and construction, banking and financial services, 5  Allens Partner, Perth practice 1997 b) 3 14 42 27 1 87 132 insolvency, litigation, native title, workplace relations, safety, project director development Mr Malcolm Shelton- Corporate and commercial law including corporate advisory, M&A, finance, a) 1 mining and resources, oil and gas, energy and energy regulation, insolvency 6  Jackson McDonald Agar 1922 b) 1 26 15 1 44 86 125 and reconstruction, alternative dispute resolution and commercial litigation, Chief executive competition, construction, infrastructure access, property, planning... Mr Nigel Hunt King & Wood a) 1 7  Partner-in-charge, Perth 1832 13 23 1 45 82 151 All areas of corporate and commercial law Mallesons office b) 4 Banking and finance, corporate advisory, property and technology, competition Corrs Chambers Ms Kirsty Sutherland 1991 a) 1 14 15 9 34 103 and trade practices, taxation, litigation, workplace relations, energy, resources 8  Westgarth Partner-in-charge b) 3 72 and projects, insolvency, property and infrastructure, construction, planning, environment and local government, information and technology... Aged care, Agribusiness, Asia and international, banking and finance, Mr Dean Hely competition and regulation, construction and infrastructure, corporate services, 9  Lavan Managing partner 1898 a) 1 22 23 2 22 68 165 cyber and data protection, education, employment and safety, family law, intellectual property and technology, liquor licensing hospitality and events... Acquisition finance, alternative dispute resolution, antitrust, competition and Mr Alen Pazin a) 1 regulatory, asset-based lending, asset finance, asset management, aviation, 10  Norton Rose Fulbright Partner, head of office 1975 b) 4 11 27 1 26 65 93 banking and finance, business ethics and anti-corruption, capital markets, construction and engineering, corporate, debt capital markets...

Welcome to Bankwest Private Bank.

Our Private Client Managers take the time to understand you and your financial needs, then provide banking solutions to suit you and your lifestyle.

Scott Wallace Senior Private Client Manager

0439 090 556 [email protected] bank less

Bankwest, a division of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL/Australian credit licence 234945. CS-653 190x125

36 | Business News May 17, 2021 May 17, 2021 Business News | 37

PB | Business News May 17, 2021 May 17, 2021 Business News | PB FEATURE FEATURE LAW FIRMS LAW FIRMS

WA’S LARGEST LAW FIRMS AND PATENT ATTORNEYS Offices Total Data & Insights Ranked by total number of legal professionals in WA Year a) WA staff Senior executive est. in b) inter- in

Rank Change - previ from ous year Company name and title WA state of No. Partners of No. Senior Associates/ Associates Of No. Consultants Oth - of No. er Qualified - Pro Legal fessionals of No. Total - Pro Legal fessionals WA Types of Law Practiced Offices Total Year a) WA staff Mr Gaelan Cooney a) 1 Energy and resources, corporate advisory, M&A, commercial litigation, Senior executive est. in b) inter- in 11  Ashurst Managing partner for 1988 13 20 2 29 64 110 property, construction, employment, safety and discrimination, project Rank Change - previ from ous year Company name and title WA state of No. Partners of No. Senior Associates/ Associates Of No. Consultants Oth - of No. er Qualified - Pro Legal fessionals of No. Total - Pro Legal fessionals WA Types of Law Practiced Perth b) 5 finance, infrastructure development, and restructuring and insolvency Banking and finance, technology, media and telecommunications, mergers Mr Cameron Maclean Corporate and commercial, insurance and risk management, workplace a) 1 relations, employment and OHS, mining, energy and natural resources, Herbert Smith Ms Elizabeth Macknay 1868 a) 1 21 35 5 69 225 and acquisitions, competition law, litigation and dispute resolution, corporate 12 — DLA Piper Partner, litigation & 1985 10 13 1 31 55 98 1 — Freehills Managing partner, Perth b) 3 130 crime and investigations, projects and infrastructure, real estate, environment b) 3 construction, infrastructure, property, projects and finance, litigation and and planning, regulatory and government affairs, restructuring... regulatory dispute resolution, marine, native title Offer a range of solutions ‚ for example, providing end-to-end support Mr Anton Vucak a) 1 Financial services, insurance, general corporate, commercial dispute Mr Matthew Knox a) 1 throughout the lifecycle of a deal; mitigating risk in a range of complex 13 Hall & Wilcox 2015 4 15 29 68 2  MinterEllison Managing partner, WA 2011 b) 7 16 29 4 45 94 145 procurement scenarios; providing support and advice on competition and  Partner b) 6 48 resolution, health & safety, migration services and employment law insolvency issues, and leading Boards and executive leadership team … Banking & finance, corporate/M&A, capital markets, competition, construction Mr Tony Chong Full service commercial law firm. Focus on the following key growth areas: a) 1 cross-border investments and M&A, complex financial instrument litigation, Mr Brett Cohen a) 1 and major projects, corporate finance, cyber security, energy & resources, 14 Squire Patton Boggs Managing partner for 1891 12 25 2 6 79 3  Clayton Utz Partner in-charge, Perth 1877 b) 5 14 21 6 52 93 145 environment & planning, insolvency & restructuring, intellectual property and  b) 2 45 construction disputes and arbitration, cyber security & data privacy, information technology, litigation and dispute resolution, native title... Perth, head of Asia desk renewable energy, fintech and venture capital, Aboroginal enterprise, mobility Aged Care and retirement living, agribusiness, automotive, banking and finance Banking and finance, building, construction and infrastructure, charity and Mr John Nerurker a) 1 not-for-profit, commercial disputes and insolvency, corporate advisory, HWL Ebsworth Mr Mitch Artus 1897 a) 1 21 28 19 25 142 (acquisition finance, asset and structured finance, project, resources and 15 Mills Oakley 2015 13 16 15 44 82 4  Lawyers Partner b) 8 93 infrastructure finance, property finance, securitisation) capital markets (debt  Chief executive b) 4 energy and resources, estates and succession, family law, financial services, capital markets, equity capital markets), climate change and sustainability... franchising, government and administrative, insurance, intellectual property... Mr Gerard Woods Corporate and commercial advisory, mergers and acquisitions, energy All areas of corporate and commercial, commercial litigation and dispute Mr Martin Bennett resolution, competition and consumer law, defamation, media law, duties a) 1 and resources, property and construction, banking and financial services, 16 Bennett + Co 2011 a) 1 14 13 4 12 81 5  Allens Partner, Perth practice 1997 b) 3 14 42 27 1 87 132 insolvency, litigation, native title, workplace relations, safety, project  Director, principal 43 law, energy and resources, estate planning, intellectual property, mergers and director development acquisitions, real property

Mr Malcolm Shelton- Corporate and commercial law including corporate advisory, M&A, finance, Corporate M&A, capital markets, commercial, competition, private equity, a) 1 mining and resources, oil and gas, energy and energy regulation, insolvency Mr Geoff Simpson a) 1 6  Jackson McDonald Agar 1922 26 15 1 44 86 125 17 — Allen & Overy 2010 6 30 3 2 41 64 energy and resources, projects, infrastructure and construction, litigation and b) 1 and reconstruction, alternative dispute resolution and commercial litigation, Managing partner, Perth b) 1 international arbitration Chief executive competition, construction, infrastructure access, property, planning... Mr Nigel Hunt Family & de facto, corporate & commercial, property & leasing, wills, estate King & Wood a) 1 Mr Simon Creek & business succession planning, employment & safety, reconstruction, Partner-in-charge, Perth 1832 13 23 1 45 151 All areas of corporate and commercial law 18 HHG Legal Group 1919 a) 5 2 22 2 14 40 62 7  Mallesons b) 4 82  Executive chair insolvency & debt recovery, criminal & traffic, dispute resolution & litigation, office building & construction, agribusiness, local government & planning

Banking and finance, corporate advisory, property and technology, competition Flexible legal resourcing including the provision of secondment services, Ms Kirsty Sutherland a) 1 and trade practices, taxation, litigation, workplace relations, energy, resources Mr Ken Jagger a) 1 8  Corrs Chambers 1991 14 15 9 34 72 103 19  LOD 2008 1 39 40 53 remote lawyers, outsourced legal support, managed and virtual legal teams Westgarth Partner-in-charge b) 3 and projects, insolvency, property and infrastructure, construction, planning, Director b) 3 and legal operations consulting services environment and local government, information and technology... Aged care, Agribusiness, Asia and international, banking and finance, Mr Michael Blakiston a) 1 Energy and resources, corporate advisory, litigation and dispute Mr Dean Hely competition and regulation, construction and infrastructure, corporate services, 20 Gilbert + Tobin Partner, energy and 1988 8 6 5 19 70 9  Lavan Managing partner 1898 a) 1 22 23 2 22 68 165 cyber and data protection, education, employment and safety, family law,  b) 2 38 resolution intellectual property and technology, liquor licensing hospitality and events... resources Acquisition finance, alternative dispute resolution, antitrust, competition and Mr Roger Steinepreis a) 1 Corporate, M + A, ECM, commercial, financial services, energy and Mr Alen Pazin a) 1 regulatory, asset-based lending, asset finance, asset management, aviation, 21 Steinepreis Paganin 1997 9 6 21 50 10  Norton Rose Fulbright Partner, head of office 1975 b) 4 11 27 1 26 65 93 banking and finance, business ethics and anti-corruption, capital markets,  Executive chair b) 1 36 resources construction and engineering, corporate, debt capital markets... Corporate, capital markets, M&A, property, development Mr Mark Borrello a) 1 & construction, dispute resolution & litigation, planning & 22  Thomson Geer Managing partner - Perth 2009 b) 4 14 5 1 14 34 47 environment, local government and government, transport and logistics, commercial law 23 GET THE FULL LIST ONLINE businessnews.com.au/bniq/law-firms 151

All information compiled using surveys, publicly available data and contact with industry sources. Other companies may be eligible for inclusion. If you believe your company is eligible, please email: [email protected] WND: Would Not Disclose, NFP: Not For Publication, N/A: Not Applicable or Not Available. Welcome to Bankwest PERTH | MANDURAH | BUNBURY | JOONDALUP | ALBANY Private Bank.

Our Private Client Managers take the time to understand you and your financial needs, then provide banking solutions to suit you and your lifestyle.

Scott Wallace Senior Private Client Manager BUILDING & SUCCESSION & COMMERCIAL FAMILY & AGRIBUSINESS 0439 090 556 CONSTRUCTION ESTATE PLANNING & PROPERTY DE FACTO [email protected] bank less 1800 609 945 hhg.com.au ® Bankwest, a division of Commonwealth Bank of Australia ABN 48 123 123 124 AFSL/Australian credit licence 234945. CS-653 190x125 TRUSTED SINCE 1919

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