Michelle Dixon (pictured below), whose formal appointment was announced last week, described the Maddocks partnership as a “healthy democracy”.

“I am proud of the fact that we always have the debate about the important issues, but when we get to a position then that’s the position and everyone gets behind it,” she said.
Dixon said the Maddocks partnership did not vote on a proposed merger with international firm Pinson Masons at the end of last year, but did not deny that merger discussions took place.

“It is not the case that partners have left because they are unhappy that there wasn’t a merger or we didn’t go in a particular direction. That is not what’s occurred,” she said.

“If anything, having discussions about our future last year has brought us together more strongly.”

She said the firm had spent the past year consolidating and was looking to invest heavily in growth in 2015, although it did not plan to open any more offices.

Dixon said that there was no question of a merger in the foreseeable future: “We are a proudly independent firm. I guess one should never say never, but it’s not something we are pursuing or that is on our agenda in any way, shape or form,” she said.

Partner departures no surprise

Dixon’s predecessor, former Maddocks CEO David Rennick, left to launch the Australian practice of Pinson Masons at the start of the year.

Dixon explained that Rennick had always said he would leave the partnership at the end of his term as he saw his future in a management role rather than in legal practice.

“It wasn’t a great surprise. All he did was bring his departure forward a few months,” she said.

Another blow was received in July when chair of the board and partner-in-charge of the Sydney office Stan Kondilios left to start his own boutique practice, SK Partners Pty Ltd.

Dixon said Kondilios’ decision to leave did not represent dissatisfaction with leadership.

“Stan had done everything that he thought he could do in a law firm … He’d gone right through to chairman at a very young age and it was time for him to go and do something very different,” she said.

Maddocks’ losses cumulated in the defection of almost the entire tax controversy team to Minter Ellison and KPMG in October.

Boutiques are no threat

Boutique firms have also been snapping up ex-Maddocks partners this year. Peter Shaw, former head of the firm’s corporate group, left in April to join boutique consultancy Ash Street.

Maria MacNamara, former director of business development and marketing at Maddocks, also moved to Ash Street in August.

“When partners choose to go to that sort of firm, quite often they’ve been in a law firm for a number of years and are looking to do something different … or they just think that environment might suit them better,” said Dixon.

She argued that boutique firms definitely had a place in the market as they service a particular client need and offer greater choice, but she was sceptical that small start-up firms could beat Maddocks in terms of work/life balance.

“If you’re in a smaller boutique firm and a really big or urgent job hits, there aren’t those resources to work together on it ... The reality is that with a small work environment you’re a business owner and you do whatever it takes to make the business work and look after your clients.”

She added that Maddocks has a strong track record when it comes to fostering a healthy work environment.

“We have a very good culture … You don’t have to be seen at the office late at night… We have a lot of people who work from home some days ... Our workforce is much more mobile than it has ever been,” she said.

Closing the gap

Dixon has been an outspoken advocate for gender equality both at her firm and in the public sphere.

In response to the recent WGEA report, which showed a 36 per cent gender pay gap at law firms, Dixon said, “We certainly reported our gender pay gap and that there isn’t any issue within Maddocks”.

She said that this year, half the board is comprised of women and that the firm is very focused on improving the rate of promotion of women and tackling attrition “to make sure that [Maddocks] has the luxury of choosing our next leaders from the full garner of people within the firm”.

The ‘accidental’ CEO

Dixon struck Lawyers Weekly as an elegant lawyer full of laughter and life. Her “chaotic” household, busy work schedule and commitment to her husband and two young children make it difficult for Dixon to pursue interests outside work, but she harbours a love of cooking, outdoor sports and reading.

Dixon’s strong leadership abilities had the board pressing her to stay on as CEO and it was with reluctance that she agreed to give up her litigation practice.

“I have always loved being a lawyer. I was very loath to move away from my practice,” she said. “I had to make sure it was right for my family as well.”

“In many ways I was an accidental CEO. It was never on my to-do list,” she said.