b'helped earn the firms reputation for intellectual rigour andIn 1987 the firms formed the Australian Legal Groupa concise advice.network of leading, independent legal practices offering the benefits of close, national association without the The mainstay of the firms practice continued to be itsintegration and client conflict issues associated with involvement in large-scale transactions that underpinnedmerger. In 1994 the group became known as the Allens the development of many of the nations mining and resourcesArthur Robinson Group.projects. It often sat opposite Allen Allen & Hemsley, which regularly represented the banking syndicates financingMarket dynamics and client expectations evolved, and closer those projects. ties were explored. In 1996 Allen Allen & Hemsley and Feez Ruthning partners voted to merge, formalising the long Coming together association and shared history of the two firms. In 2001 In the 1980s the four firms began to converge as theAllen Allen & Hemsley and Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks profession experienced a period of consolidation. Economicmerged under the name Allens Arthur Robinson, creating reforms, including the floating of the Australian dollarone of the largest law firms in the Asia-Pacific region.and the deregulation of the Australian financial system, increased investor confidence and facilitated strong foreignIn the new millennium attention turned to international capital inflows. Commercial transactions increased in sizeconsolidation, and in 2012 Allens Arthur Robinson formed and complexity. Scale and specialisation became importantan alliance with Linklaters. The firms share resources and for law firms and state boundaries less relevant.expertise while maintaining financial independence. The four firms often worked together but none was eager toThe founding firms of Allens, and the united firm of today, have pursue a national merger. Allen Allen & Hemsley, in particular,advised on nation-building projects, major transactions and valued its autonomy and viewed its reputation as obviatingcourt proceedings and reforms that have changed the face the need for a presence outside Sydney. The Melbourne firmsof Australia and the region. The firm continues to work Arthur Robinson & Co and Hedderwick Fookes & Alstonalongside industry, innovators and champions of justice.merged in 1984, under the name Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks, and kept within their state boundaries.Today the firm is known as Allens. It is, principally, the amalgamation of four firms that came together having each played a role in the social and economic development of Australia: Allen Allen & Hemsley from Sydney,Feez Ruthning from Brisbane, and Hedderwick Fookes & Alstonand Arthur Robinson & Co from Melbourne. xiii'