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Brisbane growth a focal point for Baker McKenzie
Following the extraordinary revenue growth of its Brisbane-based operations since it set up shop in the city in 2014, global law firm Baker McKenzie is moving — literally — to consolidate its position in Queensland.
Jerome Doraisamy
Baker McKenzie is relocating to larger premises on Eagle Street in Brisbane, following what it calls a “sustained period of growth” since the firm opened in the Brisbane market in 2014 — its most recent expansion in Australia, following Bakers’ opening in Sydney in 1964 and in Melbourne in 1982.
Bakers Brisbane managing partner Tanya Denning (pictured) said that, on the back of such growth, moving to new premises reflects its confidence about further growth.
Bakers national managing partner Anthony Foley added that Queensland was “recently named the strongest-performing state economy in Australia (in the ComSec State of the States report)”.
“[The Sunshine State] enjoys an abundance of investment in energy and resources, agriculture, infrastructure, hotels and resorts, financial services, manufacturing and real estate. We assist our clients across all these sectors,” he outlined.
The news follows Bakers’ naming of a new Australian managing partner in December and a new APAC chair in November.
In October of last year, the firm posted $5.24 billion in revenue for FY22, and global chair Milton Cheng spoke exclusively with Lawyers Weekly about how the BigLaw player is “well poised” to be the definition of a global law firm.
In conversation with Lawyers Weekly, Ms Denning said that as a result of what she called the “immense opportunity” in the Queensland market to service the firm’s growing number of local and international clients, the BigLaw player is seeking to “build out an even deeper pool of local talent” in the years to come.
“Areas of particular interest, where we will continue to build capacity related to, [include] energy (particularly renewables) and resources, agriculture, infrastructure, hotels and resorts, financial services, manufacturing and real estate,” she outlined.
Moreover, Ms Denning added, the firm expects to see “more work continuing to flow from clients requiring our assistance with their energy transition needs as they move to a lower carbon footprint, combined with acting on major projects in a growing part of the country which is clearly attracting investment”.
Mr Foley said in support: “Queensland has long been an attractive destination for national and international clients for major projects where many have established and grown their operations. We anticipate further growth as we continue to support our clients achieve their business objectives in the Sunshine State.”
Jerome Doraisamy
Jerome Doraisamy is the editor of Lawyers Weekly. A former lawyer, he has worked at Momentum Media as a journalist on Lawyers Weekly since February 2018, and has served as editor since March 2022. He is also the host of all five shows under The Lawyers Weekly Podcast Network, and has overseen the brand's audio medium growth from 4,000 downloads per month to over 60,000 downloads per month, making The Lawyers Weekly Show the most popular industry-specific podcast in Australia. Jerome is also the author of The Wellness Doctrines book series, an admitted solicitor in NSW, and a board director of Minds Count.
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