HopgoodGanim to merge with Butlers

National mid-tier law firm HopgoodGanim is set to merge with Perth’s Butlers Lawyers and Notaries, adding 17 staff to its WA team. 

HopgoodGanim, which has an office in Perth and Queensland, is expecting to finalise the merger with the speciality family and estate law firm in October.

Nedlands-based Butlers, established in1994, describes itself as specialising in family law, wills and estates and contested estates. 17 of its staff will join the HopgoodGanim team.

HopgoodGanim says the merger would strengthen its presence advising “high net worth private clients, family offices and significant family owned and privately held enterprises”.

Butlers’ managing principal John Lawley will join HopgoodGanim as a partner, and will lead the team that joins through the merger

The boutique law firm’s principal John Butler will assist with the transition and act as a consultant post-merger.

He will not be involved in the day-to-day provision of legal services, as he plans to retire in 2027, instead focusing on the integration.

A dollar value for the merger has not been disclosed.

HopgoodGanim managing partner Luke Mountford said he looked forward to welcoming the Butlers team and expanding its Western Australian footprint.

“Though we currently have a sizeable team in Perth, we have been seeking to expand our private client practice in the West for many years,” he said.

“The merger with Butlers will allow us to achieve this and offer our full suite of legal expertise on both east and west coasts.

“We have a strong management team experienced in merging and growing our firm across our two key markets in Brisbane and Perth, and our practice areas.”

Last year, fellow law firm Thomson Geer's Perth office recruited two partners from HopgoodGanim in a bid to bolster its mining and energy services offering.