b'Norman Cowper had followed his father, Cecil, into thelunch. Were just going to do the work and do it bloody well, firm as a graduate just after the First World War, andand bloody quickly. In no time the bank work was again Reichenbach had joined in 1938. Together, they were aflooding in, quickly overwhelming the team. powerful duo, considered leaders both in the firm and the profession more broadly. Their contrasting stylesTo manage the increasing workload Cowper hired promising brought balance and strength; Cowper was known for hislaw students. He took a modern attitude to recruitment, warmth and enthusiasm, while the gruff and forebodingseeking to ensure the firm was a meritocracy.Reichenbach was feared and revered in equal measure. David Allen remembered Reichenbach barking instructionsAmong the recruits was Fred Millar, who sat his legal exams to young articled clerks: Im not interested in what youaboard HMAS Napier. During the war, the prerequisite of think about the law. I want to know what is the law. Latin was waived for servicemen and the period for articles Go away and look it up properly. was reduced. Millar made the most of this opportunity. Born in Albury in regional New South Wales, Millars working-class During the Second World War legal work for the Bank ofbackground was unusual within the firm. Cowper saw his New South Wales grew and, with Allens understaffed, otherpotential. He proved an astute hire and delivered a constant firms were brought in to help. This threatened to destabilisestream of new work. Looking back on his decision to join the the firms longstanding relationship with the bank, butfirm, Millar said, People say there are great moments in your Cowper was not worried; he told soon- to-be partner Boblife and that was mine. It was the best decision I ever made.Stevenson, Look, were not going to take anybody out to Name plate from the officeof Allen Allen & Hemsley.123'