Kerrs and New South Lawyers make strategic recruitments
The priorities of Australasian Lawyer’s Fastest-Growing Law Firms for 2023 include staff development and training and the strategic hiring of special counsel and other promising recruits.
Kerrs is a multidisciplinary law firm with a people-first approach. The firm, which has tapped into the potential of parents, helps them perform high-calibre legal work and stay flexible for their family needs at the same time.
Tean Kerr, the firm’s founder and director, has invested in digital technology to improve connectivity, to inspire team spirit and collegiality, and to promote a flexible and supportive environment so that its employees can excel.
The firm launched in Sydney in September 2021 and later established an Adelaide office and a second Sydney office. It hired director Paul Hutchinson, an associate director, special counsel, and other promising recruits.
“We focus on putting the right people in the right place,” Kerr told Australasian Lawyer. “Junior lawyers get support from senior firm members, so the balance is about spreading the responsibilities among our team.”
Kerrs merged with Gartree Thomson Lawyers in July 2022 and announced a merger with Daniela Fazio Lawyers Pty Ltd in September 2023. Daniela Naidenov will work on a full-time but flexible basis upon her return from parental leave. Another member of Naidenov’s team, while on parental leave, will work flexibly as time permits before returning full-time.
“Our growth has far surpassed what I could have ever imagined, and a big part of that is that we’re getting approached by people who are dissatisfied with the corporate, button-down culture and want more flexibility,” Kerr said. “I intentionally planned and built a firm for our people and clients based on their preferred ways of working with us.”
New South Lawyers, also named a Fast Firm of 2023, focuses on attracting and retaining top talent and on maintaining a supportive, inclusive, and collaborative work environment. The firm, based in Western Sydney, has recruited special counsel to head the family law division and has increased team involvement in high-value legal matters.
“Nurturing client relationships is fundamental to our success, and as we expand, we continue to allocate resources and invest in training to ensure our client-focused approach remains unwavering,” said George Bazouni, the firm’s co-founder and managing director.
The full list of Australia’s Fastest-Growing Law Firms of 2023 can be found here.
