b'The Australian Legal GroupBy the mid-1980s large corporate clients wanted access to opportunity. Robinson offered Allen Allen & Hemsley support a national network. The state-based system of legal practiceand a new agency arrangement was soon in place.was becoming less relevant. Some firms adapted quickly and negotiated mergers, while others resisted to protectOver the years Allen Allen & Hemsley had been approached their independence. by several firms to merge, but it had been resolute that it did not need to be a national practice. The consultants Allen Allen & Hemsley continued to operate as anthe firm had engaged to review its strategy confirmed this independent firm, valuing its autonomy and viewing itsbelief, concluding that Allen Allen & Hemsley was highly reputation as mitigating the need for a presence outsideregarded and, instead of merging, should formalise its Sydney. By 1985, however, the firm started to think about referral network. merging and engaged management consultants McKinsey & Company to recommend a strategy. While the review Aware it was playing catch-up, Allen Allen & Hemsley arranged was underway, the market continued to move. a meeting with its agency partners to propose the idea of such a network. It had enjoyed a close association with Feez For years Allen Allen & Hemsley had worked closely withRuthning in Brisbane since 1846, a formal partnership was Melbourne firm Mallesons, although there was no formalalready in place with Parker & Parker in Perth, and there was arrangement in place. The Allen Allen & Hemsley partnersan informal agency arrangement with Finlaysons in Adelaide. were shocked when the Mallesons team was seen walkingThe relationship with Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks was to the Supreme Court of New South Wales to be admittednew, but the firms had worked together previously. Though as solicitors and then opened an office in Sydney. Havingdifferent, the five firms had long histories and were well national reach was clearly the way of the future. Theregarded in their respective states with strong institutional Australian Financial Review noted, The legal marketplace isclient bases. responding with mergers to gather into one firm the resources to handle the whole gamut of commercial problems. Anxious not to alert the market until a formal agreement was in place, representatives from each firm met in It did not take long for word to reach Arthur Robinson &secret at a hotel in Perth. With two knocks on the door they Hedderwicks that Allen Allen & Hemsley was looking toentered, and discussions began. Each firm brought different replace its arrangement with Mallesons, which had becomestrengths: Allen Allen & Hemsley was a specialist in banking untenable when the two firms became competitors in Sydney.and finance and very internationally minded, Finlaysons Michael Robinson, managing partner of Arthur Robinson &was strong in maritime law, and Parker & Parkers expertise Hedderwicks, knew an agency relationship with Allen Allenlay in mining and industrial relations law. Feez Ruthning had & Hemsley would help secure his firms future. It seemeda long history in major resource and development projects like a long shot, but he resolved to make the most of theand Arthur Robinson & Hedderwicks was a leader in mining law and mergers and acquisitions.192'