Adelaide law firm Kelly & Co. has appointed its youngest ever chairman of partners. Partner Jamie Restas, 38, was this month elected unopposed as chair of the firm, replacing Michael Durrant, who has stepped down to focus on his growing resources practice after almost three years in the position. 

Retas is a leading M&A lawyer in the South Australian market and will this week add a new senior lawyer to his team. Sonya Furey, a former company secretary at Elders (formerly Futuris Corporation) will join the firm as a special counsel.

Chief executive Stuart Price said Retas’ age was only one factor in the firm’s decision to appoint him as chair. “He is a leading practitioner, he is local, he has drive and leadership skills,” said Price. He added that Kelly & Co.  had experienced new heights of revenue growth in recent months and said the firm’s commitment to the South Australian market was the leading reason for the firm’s success. “Being South Australian focused is very much the key to our success,” he told ALB.  “We have been the go-to firm for a number of large national and international firms who have work related to South Australia and this is because we are not at conflict with those firms elsewhere.”

However, while they are South Australian based, Price is quick to point out that the firm does work for international and national clients on a regular basis. With the announcement that BHP Billiton has received approval to proceed with the Olympic Dam open cut mine in South Australia, Price said it was likely the firm and others in the market would see a ripple effect in terms of work, as has been the case in Western Australia. "For South Australian work it's probable and possible they will look for South Australian providers to complete the associated legal work," he said.