Herbert Geer reaps the benefits of its strong growth strategy, clear vision and solid corporate values.
In 2008, Herbert Geer consolidated its position as one of Australia's leading full service mid-tier law firms. The firm now has 46 partners in Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane and more than 260 staff. It has a new look, new offices and some important major projects under its belt.
Herbert Geer recently acted for ISS Facility Services, one of the key players in the Royal North Shore Hospital Public Private Partnership (PPP) project valued at $950 million. The project is the largest health PPP to reach financial close to date in New South Wales and the largest social infrastructure scheme to conclude in Australia this year.
The firm has also acted for:
- Village Roadshow Entertainment Group in a complex cross-border transaction that saw Village Roadshow Picture Group and Concord Music Group merge to create an international diversified entertainment group.
- The Inge Family and Macquarie Capital Alliance Group on the sale of Zig Inge Group Pty Ltd to Retirement Villages Group (a joint venture between Macquarie Capital Funds and FKP Limited). The enterprise value was in excess of $640million. The sale was one of the largest transactions to date in the retirement villages industry.
- Representing seven of 11 private defendants in a successful High Court challenge against Telstra over the constitutionality of sections of the Trade Practices Act. Herbert Geer has also been leading the way in access disputes before the ACCC, obtaining the first decisions in arbitrations regarding access to Telstra's local loop networks.
Fortunately growth has not come at the expense of the firm's values and culture, which are important to Herbert Geer's staff and clients. "We set out with a clear vision of what kind of firm we wanted to become - a full service east coast law firm working with significant corporate clients," said Managing Partner Bill Fazio. "As we've grown, we've worked hard to ensure that all individuals in the firm continue to have a voice, that our partners are part of a national team, and that we excel in every aspect of our business."
This approach is helping Herbert Geer to attract a strong calibre of new staff from top-tier law firms and to strengthen its services in key areas such as construction and infrastructure, employment and workplace relations, property and planning.
Ian Wright and Luci Mumm‚ are the firm's most recent recruits. Ian, who has extensive experience in planning, environment and local government law, will be joining Herbert Geer's Brisbane office shortly. Luci joined her former colleagues, Chris Hartigan and Louise Russell, in the firm's busy employment and workplace relations team at the beginning of December.
Other new faces at Herbert Geer in 2008 include construction and infrastructure lawyers Doron Rivlin, Paul Deschamps and Chris Kelly, Teresa Torcasio in commercial law, Paul Mentor in workplace services, Malcolm Davis in employment and workplace relations, Dan Brush in intellectual property, technology and entertainment, and the staff and partners of former Queensland firm Nicol Robinson Halletts. "Our flat management structure appeals to people who feel less comfortable with the necessary structures and restrictions of the very large firms," said Bill. "Our partners know that they can have an input on major decisions and they are told about important matters or changes before they happen."
Herbert Geer is well positioned to take advantage of new opportunities in 2009. The firm remains focused on enhancing its client base and continuing to recruit key people. In the short term, it plans to grow to 16 partners and 75 staff in Sydney and to 12-15 partners and 100 staff in Brisbane. "Our growth will present challenges in this difficult economic climate," said Bill. "It is going to be important to maintain our momentum and stay focused as the firm grows, changes form and builds its client base."
Herbert Geer
Melbourne 03 9670 6123
Sydney 02 92394500
Brisbane 07 38538888
www.herbertgeer.com.au