PERTH law firm Blakiston & Crabb has substantially enhanced its capabilities by forming an alliance with top-tier Sydney firm Gilbert + Tobin.
Perth law firm Blakiston & Crabb has substantially enhanced its capabilities by forming an alliance with top-tier Sydney firm Gilbert + Tobin.
The alliance, which started this week, will lift the capacity of Blakiston to win work from large corporations operating in Western Australia.
Managing partner Michael Blakiston said he had previously rejected overtures from other law firms but was excited by the link with G+T.
“A lot of others have approached us over the years,” he said.
“We have very similar DNA, very similar values. We’ve both been independent, and we are first generation firms.”
Mr Blakiston said the two firms had got to know each other as a result of pitching for work together over the past year.
He said the firms had no plans for a full merger but had assessed that option.
“We looked at the merger model quite seriously,” Mr Blakiston said
The alliance adds to a year of big changes in the legal sector, most notably with prestigious UK firm Allen & Overy entering the Australian market by setting up offices in Sydney and Perth.
Another UK firm, Norton Rose, also moved into Australia by absorbing Deacons, while Corrs Chambers Westgarth and Cochrane Lishman Carson Luscombe have expanded their Perth presence via lateral hires.
With about 200 lawyers in Sydney and a recently opened Melbourne office, G+T is a small firm by national standards but is regarded as a big competitor with the market leaders.
“They would be considered key competitors of Mallesons, Allens and Freehills,” Mr Blakiston said.
Established in 1988, the firm shot to prominence during the tech boom and has since built a prominent corporate/mergers and acquisitions practice.
“What they didn’t have was a natural resources capacity,” Mr Blakiston said.
Blakiston & Crabb, formed in 1984, has grown to have seven partners and about 50 staff, making it the largest ‘West Perth’ law firm targeting the resources sector.
Mr Blakiston said the firm would continue to service smaller mining companies, which in some cases have grown to become major clients.
The alliance would give it more capacity to work for major companies and bid for larger M&A transactions.
Mr Blakiston said his firm would also gain access to G+T’s back office services, including its marketing, intellectual property and information technology.
He also expected to gain from G+T’s competition practice.
G+T managing partner Danny Gilbert said the alliance: “recognises the importance of the energy and resources industries to Australia and its economy, and the increasing demand for high quality legal services in those sectors.”
