b'Old friends, new beginningsFeez Ruthning in Brisbane and Allen Allen & HemsleyIn 1996 the two firms announced their merger, bringing in Sydney worked closely together for 150 years, goingtogether 440 lawyers and 90 partners (60 from Allen Allen & back to 1846 when Robert Little, on the advice of GeorgeHemsley and 30 from Feez Ruthning). Together they had offices Allen, went to Moreton Bay to establish his legal practice.in Sydney, Brisbane, Canberra and the Gold Coast as well as George had been aware the Bank of New South Wales (nowinternational offices through the Allens Arthur Robinson Westpac) was to open a branch there and suggested itGroup. It was a logical development in the longstanding could be a good client. It was, and as Littles firm grew sorelationship and it came as no surprise to anyone.did the relationship with Allens in Sydney.Stephen Walker, the recently appointed managing partner The two practices shared a similar ethos and client baseof Allen Allen & Hemsley, became the head of the newly and regularly referred work to each other. The relationshipmerged firm, while Tim LEstrange, the former managing was strengthened with the formation of the Australianpartner, moved to Queensland to promote a closer Legal Group in 1985. connection between the two practices. It was a smooth transition to the new firm, with the integration benefitting With increasing commercial pressure for legal firms to formboth practices and their clients.national practices, Feez Ruthning was approached several times with merger proposals. While many of these wereThere was some sentimentality associated with the loss of attractive, Feez Ruthning believed its future lay with Allenthe esteemed Feez Ruthning name, but none mourned the Allen & Hemsley. Its patience paid off. loss of the firms nickname Fees Ruthless.Staff and partners in the offices of Feez Ruthning in 1987.209'