George is the magazine for St.George Bank’s corporate customers. Aimed at executive-level readers, it features customer case studies, news, articles on emerging business and management trends, product information, lifestyle features and more.
Issue link: http://viewer.e-digitaleditions.com/i/48224
Below: Key members of the Sparke Helmore team (L to R): David Davies (Partner), Sarah Wood (Lawyer), Malcolm Cameron (Partner), Andrew Johnston (Lawyer), Krista Hillyer (Administrative Assistant), Matthew O'Sullivan (Lawyer), Maggie McGushin (Senior Associate), Mark Hickey (Partner). Ben Burney Partner, Sparke Helmore Adam Fuller Partner, Sparke Helmore "We're delivering on that strategy and it's paying dividends," says Jesse. Ten years ago, Sparke Helmore had annual revenues of less than $50 million. Today, the firm generates revenue in excess of $100 million and ranks in the top 20 law firms in the country by revenue. Leadership that works Jesse describes the Australian legal industry as currently being "in a state of flux", with change driven by the recent arrival of global firms such as Allen & Overy, Norton Rose, DLA, Clifford Chance and Squire Sanders. "Australia now has eight of the top 10 law firms by revenue in the world operating here," says Jesse. "The industry has seen the loss of many household Australian law firm brands, such as Deacons and Phillips Fox, as they've merged with foreign entities. There's also been growth in the number of start-up firms. We are very focused on the opportunities presented by this state of flux in the market." The keys to Sparke Helmore's ability to compete in this changing environment are its unique style of governance and its distinctive culture. "Traditional law firm leadership models are unwieldy and fairly resistant to change," says Jesse. "At Sparke Helmore, we've struck a very good balance between modern corporate- style governance and typical partnership models." The firm's strategy is set by a board, elected by the partners but with an independent director, and implemented by an executive committee headed by the National Managing Partner. "My role is akin to the CEO role in any other major Australian company – being responsible for leading the Management Team and executing on our market strategy," says Jesse. Clients and staff also benefit from what Jesse refers to as Sparke Helmore's "distinctive culture", characterised by "strong 22 George www.stgeorge.com.au/george At a glance • National law firm Sparke Helmore builds on a 129-year history of service and growth and today combines a corporate and traditional partnership model of management. • With the Australian legal industry under pressure from globalisation, the firm's growth strategy focuses on core markets of insurance and government while increasing expertise and capability in other areas. • Strategic acquisition of partners from competitor firms builds on this depth of expertise to meet the needs of clients, including St.George. • The key to client relationships is an intimate knowledge of their business and a customer-centric approach that takes nothing for granted. Photo: Phil Carrick