ClarkeKann Lawyers and Sydney-based Gray & Perkins will become one firm from November 1. ClarkeKann opened in Brisbane in 1965 and launched a Sydney office three years ago.
Managing partner John Toigo said a merger made sense and was instigated by partners at each of the firms. “We believe there are many synergies between the two firms. We were looking to bolster our property practice in Sydney and Gray & Perkins has that capability. They also have a dedicated banking and finance practice, which we don’t,” he said. “We see that the market for legal services has changed since the GFC. We think that clients no longer assume they need the big end of town, and the new firm will fill the gap,” he added. “The billable hour is not the only option, and firms such as ours are willing to work though other alternatives.”
The new combined firm will feature 15 partners, five from Gray & Perkins and 10 from ClarkeKann. Toigo will remain managing partner of the new firm, and chairman of ClarkeKann, Patrick Gallagher will also maintain his role. Gray & Perkins senior partner Miles Anderson will become a board member, while fellow partner John Gray will assume a senior management role.
Toigo said that the ClarkeKann Sydney staff would move into the Gray & Perkins offices later this month. He added that no redundancies were expected as a result of the merger, and that he hoped instead there would be additions to the team.
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