In 2015, William Roberts Lawyers celebrates its’ 10th Birthday.
It all started back in July 2005 when, after several years in practice with various firms, in both legal and operational positions, long term friends Robert Ishak and Bill Petrovski sat down over dinner one night discussing the legal profession and their careers and said to one another, “Should we go out on our own? We could create something really great and positive in the profession”. The following day they questioned each other again, deciding their initial thoughts were not so crazy and both handed in their resignations at their respective jobs.
In very quick succession, a small office was opened at Albion Place, Sydney on 1 July 2005 and William Roberts Lawyers was born. Robert and Bill decided that a firm name uniquely derived from their first names as opposed to their last had a better ring to it. The new Principals began reaching out to their contacts, supporters and clients who remain to this day, and the work started to flow in. In 2006 Carlos Jaramillo, Principal, joined William Roberts adding further expertise to the firm and, in 2014, Peter Mustaca joined as a Principal Consultant.
Over the last ten years, what started as a small insurance defendant firm has now grown into a firm practicing not only in insurance but also across financial institution, building and construction, property and international law. As the client base and work load has grown, so too has the number of staff, now employing over fifty-five employees including forty legal practitioners. The Sydney office remains the firm’s head office, however, the firm moved to Pyrmont, then to larger and more conveniently located offices in the Sydney Masonic Centre on Goulburn Street. William Roberts Lawyers Melbourne opened in 2010 and this year moved into larger premises on Bourke Street, Melbourne. An office was set up in Singapore in 2012 and William Roberts Lawyers Brisbane launched this year, opening its Ann Street offices.
William Roberts Lawyers bases its success on being client centric, delivering excellent service and achieving results. William Roberts acts for several notable insurers, financial institutions as well as construction firms. The firm also has a core philosophy of attracting talented and enthusiastic team members.
Over the years, William Roberts’ achievements have also been nationally recognised through various industry award nominations. In 2015, William Roberts is an Australian Business Awards’ Employer of Choice, an Australian Law Awards finalist for Dispute Resolution Team of the Year and Australasian Law Awards finalist for Insurance Specialist Team of the Year. With good reason, it has been a celebratory year for William Roberts, hosting several events to thank both clients and staff for their continued support of the firm.
Looking to the immediate future and to the next ten years, William Roberts Lawyers will continue to expand into other practice areas and locations.
William Roberts would like to thank staff, clients and the firms’ supporters for their contribution and ongoing support over the past 10 years.
