The two firms merged on October 1, allowing Chamberlains to strengthen its legal services in the areas of personal injury, property law, corporate law, and wills and estates. This is a sponsored post.

UNDER the Chamberlains flag, Chamberlains Law Firm and Howes Kaye Halpin Solicitors (HKH) have merged to deliver a stronger offering to the ACT region, becoming one of the biggest law firms in Canberra, says Chamberlains managing director Stipe Vuleta. 

The two firms merged on October 1, allowing Chamberlains to strengthen its legal services in the areas of personal injury, property law, corporate law, and wills and estates.

HKH, a long-standing firm in the Canberra region, has since had its staff relocate to the Chamberlains office, growing the staff numbers to a team of about 70. 

Mr Vuleta says HKH is generally recognised as having “big firm expertise with a small firm genuine care factor” and has been recognised multiple times in the prestigious Doyle’s Guide.

“Canberra is the cultural heart of Chamberlains Law Firm and it makes me particularly proud to welcome such an amazing group of people into the Chamberlains family,” he says.

“Widening our scope of expertise in the nation’s capital and deepening our roots within the community, which has looked after us for so long as a firm and for whom we are invigorated every day to wake up and serve.”

Joining Chamberlains’ board from HKH are director of property law Ben Hatte and director of compensation and estate litigation Alison McNamara.

Mr Hatte joins the Chamberlains board with more than 10 years of experience, having headed the HKH property and commercial practice. He is an expert in all aspects of property law, having guided many first-time homebuyers, investors, and builders over the years and developed one of the strongest property practices in Canberra.

Ms McNamara brings a wealth of experience in the personal injury and litigation sectors to Chamberlains, having a background predominantly in the areas of civil, commercial and estate litigation. She has a history of achieving outstanding results for clients who have suffered physical and psychological injury from workplace accidents, medical negligence, motor vehicle accidents, public liability matters, and also regularly acts in wills and estate disputes. 

“We immediately saw great synergies in the culture of Chamberlains and HKH. Both firms are very much driven by an incredible team committed to achieving excellent results,” Ms McNamara says.

“Our clients will benefit by combining forces, with our expertise at HKH, particularly in the property and personal injury divisions, complementing the existing full-service offerings at Chamberlains. We are excited about the prospect of what we can achieve together for our clients under a joint Chamberlains flag.” 

Despite the challenging climate of 2020, Chamberlains has had a very successful year, according to Mr Vuleta, who says it continues to grow in multiple markets, with some of the key achievements being: 

• The acquisition of Yeend & Associates, bringing on a team of family lawyers in Newcastle;
• The opening of a satellite office in Perth;
• The move and expansion to a larger office space in Sydney CBD as well as the opening of an additional office in Sydney north west;
• Winning the esteemed “Law Firm of the year” (1-100 Lawyers) Award, at the 2020 Australasian Law Awards.
• The merger with HKH solicitors; and
• The appointment of four new legal directors.

Chamberlains Law Firm, 224 Bunda Street, Civic. Call 6188 3600, email hello@chamberlains.com.au or visit chamberlains.com.au