Well known lawyer and philanthropist Adam Levin was farewelled late last week after passing away at the age of 58 following a health battle.
Well known lawyer and philanthropist Adam Levin was farewelled late last week after passing away at the age of 58 following a health battle.
A former partner at Perth law firm Jackson McDonald, Mr Levin was an experienced commercial and taxation lawyer, as well as a recognised expert in the implementation of native title land-use agreements, adviser to many of WA’s richest families, and a business person in his own right.
He was intimately involved in the design of an inter-generational governance structure for the biggest native title agreement in Australian history, the $1.3bn South West Native Title Settlement between the state and the Noongar indigenous people.
Mr Levin had also been a member of the advisory panel to the federal government’s Board of Taxation, and worked closely with Australia’s largest Indigenous trusts and corporations as well as many private foundations and large not-for-profit service delivery organisations.
In business he had interests in various areas, notably brewing, where he had chaired Triple 1 Three, the company which was behind Otherside Brewing, Freo.Social in Fremantle and Mojos Bar in North Fremantle.
Mr Levin was founder of Touchstones 100, which he established in 2020 to provide private advisory, governance and leadership services to a select group of private clients and family offices with a connection to Australia.
Touchstones was established as he wound down his career at leading Perth-based law firm Jackson McDonald after more than three decades, including more than 20 years as a partner and 12 years on its board of management. He had remained as a senior consultant.
Among the family companies on which he had been a board member were Charlie Bass’s family office Bass Group, James McClements’s family firm Grays Peak, the Copley family’s Sonasa and the Squarcini family's Squarcini Group.
Mr Bass said he and his wife Sylvia had first met Mr Levin more than three decades ago when they doing their wills, and he became the family's lawyer and eventually joined the Bass Group board.
"Adam had honed his skills in family affairs, succession, superannuation and philanthropy, all things important to us," Mr Bass said.
"Adam became my 'consigliere' and nurtured our sons and met with all the various senior people in our organisations."
Mr Bass said Mr Levin would be sorely missed by his him and his family.
Touchstones 100 consultant Emily Goodger referred to her former colleague as Adam Levin Z”L reflecting a Jewish tradition of adding Zichrono L’vracha to the departed's name, meaning “may his memory be a blessing".
“Adam lived by his motto, 'every day in every way'," Ms Goodger said.
"As a friend, mentor and the person I worked with closely at Touchstones 100, he inspired people with his passion, encouraged us to think bigger and grounded us with his integrity and empathy.
"His presence, warmth and purpose will be missed by all and his impact will be felt long after we’ve said goodbye.”
One of his philanthropic pursuits was as the founding chair of the Museum of Freedom and Tolerance - Western Australia which started in 2013 to amplify the voices and stories of communities marginalised by race and religion, using the arts as a platform for conversation and change.
Mr Levin was also founding chair of Forum for Directors of Indigenous Organisations (FDIO) which supports Indigenous-led organisations with governance guidance and professional development and was chair of the Impact Investment WA Alliance which aimed to grow impact investing and align capital with social and environmental outcomes.
Ms Goodger said he also served on numerous philanthropic and community-driven boards and advisory roles, consistently fostering purpose and creating impact in communities.
It is understood he passed away on Wednesday after battling cancer.
