22 June 2018

Local law firm named Fast Firm for 2016

| Rachel Ziv
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Chamberlains Law Firm

This morning, Australasian Lawyer magazine named Chamberlains law firm as one of the “Fast Firms” for 2016 – proving that they are not only one of the fastest growing law firms in Canberra, but in the entire country. This comes after they were also recently announced as a finalist for the Australasian Law Awards Regional Firm of the Year for 2016.

The company, which was founded in the 1990s by respected local lawyer Terry Chamberlain, has undergone huge changes over the last four years – doubling in size in the last year alone.

Rather than a focus on government work, the firm now services individuals and businesses, and boasts a new leadership team comprised of five young and highly specialised legal directors.

Scott Chamberlain, Chairman of the firm, says “What Chamberlains is now is a big turn-around from where we were. We have achieved a complete generational hand over from my father, to me – and now we have an engine room full of young, hungry people under 40.”

Vik Sundar, a leading tax and estate planning lawyer, was one of the first new directors to join the firm. Originally from Wollongong, Vik moved to Canberra to work for the ATO and Dixon Advisory before moving to Sydney to work for NAB Private Wealth and a specialist tax law firm. After identifying an absence of specialist tax and private wealth advice in Canberra, he decided to move back and set up a dedicated private wealth practice with Chamberlains.

After a short time, Vik introduced fellow lawyer and friend Stipe Vuleta into the firm. As an insolvency and reconstruction specialist, Stipe helps directors of companies turn their businesses around when they’re faced with financial hardship, and provides help with the insolvency process in order to mitigate losses if the company has come apart.

The on-boarding of both lawyers paved the way for the re-birth of the company, when a strategic planning retreat in 2015 saw the introduction of the pair into ownership and management of Chamberlains.

With a solid strategic plan in place, Vik and Stipe set out to recruit other bright, young determined lawyers who are, most importantly, specialists in their field.

Respected local corporate and commercial lawyer Mark North was first to come on board. As the now practice leader of the corporate and commercial teams, Mark handles corporate structuring and governance, intellectual property and technology, sales and purchases of businesses, general commercial law and capital raising.

Rory Markham was the second new practice leader and director. Rory heads up the dispute resolution, employment law and corporate risk teams. He helps individuals and companies engaged in professional indemnity and commercial B2B disputes, and has been involved in several recent high profile cases.

Louise Morris was the final addition to the leadership team, and is an expert in property and construction law. Louise’s expertise in helping individuals and companies with property transactions, residential and commercial conveyancing, property development and construction issues makes her highly sought after in the Canberra market.

“I love being part of this vibrant new team,” says Louise. “Yes we may be younger, but we’re incredibly focussed, skilled and knowledgeable. We have all made a very serious investment in our experience, and have been through an incredibly intensive process to get where we are today.”

Of the Chamberlains new structure, advocate Vik Sundar says, “Most lawyers are generalists and try to do everything. We don’t claim to do everything. We do only what we specialise in. All of our directors bring a specialist skillset to the table, and that breadth of expertise is incredibly valuable for our clients.

We also knew that trying to service everyone was in no one’s best interest. We decided to focus on private clients, private businesses and institutions.”

And it’s paying off already. Chamberlains have been involved in several recent high profile cases, and received accolades from national legal institutions recognising their rapid growth and success.

With a team of directors aged between 27 and 36, Chamberlains boasts not only one of the youngest leadership teams in a Canberra law firm, but also arguably the most specialised.

To contact any of the directors, visit the Chamberlains website or call the office on 6215 9100.

This is a sponsored article, though all opinions are the author’s own. For more information on paid content, see our sponsored content policy.

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Rachel Moore2:22 pm 24 Oct 16

Great to see a local business giving ‘directors aged between 27 and 36’ leadership opportunities in such a difficult industry. I think 27 to 36 is possibly one of the most difficult times in a carer, especial for women, trying to advance and move forward. Advertising clearly the firm only practices the specific law they have a specialist in is reassuring and gives confidence that they can provide a high quality of service.

Maryann Mussared10:11 am 21 Oct 16

It is always good to hear how Canberra is evolving from its original public service base and there are people out there with the vision to assemble the brightest and the best to serve the needs of the fast growing private sector.
After my solicitor of many years retired from his rather dusty old chambers upstairs in a local shopping centre, I phoned around to try and get some assistance with legal documents. The two firms I spoke to were inundated and could not see me for weeks. The one I ended up with were located in stylish new offices, and were young and pro-active with some great suggestions on how to manage my affairs.

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