Firm Profile – Freehills

What they say

When you come to Freehills you can expect all the advantages of a top-tier commercial firm, including opportunities to work with a blue-chip client list, with some of the most inspiring pro bono clients, and with colleagues who will stimulate you intellectually.

You can also expect unparalleled training and development opportunities: technical and professional training; current awareness; presentations by leaders in business, industry, and the community; and sessions to enhance your personal development and wellbeing.

And with the backing of the firm’s business services teams you will always have the tools you need to do your job.

We know there are many other aspects of your life and that you need to be able to integrate these with work, to pursue your passions and explore the directions that your career may take you.

With the resources and support of Freehills you may wish to seek a secondment with a client to better understand their perspective, or to pursue further study… t’s all about being yourself. There really is no mould. And while most organisations now understand the importance of diversity, this has been part of Freehills’ culture for a long time. We are proud to inherit the legacy of founding partners who took the then very unfashionable view that they wanted to employ only the best and brightest, regardless of religion, culture or background or gender, and we continue to lead in our diversity programs.

What we say

Of the truly elite Australian firms, we think Freehills probably strikes the best balance between maintaining partnership profitability and keeping juniors happy with pay/conditions. However, all of this was cast into doubt by the firm’s 2011 “Leading Practices Review” – an exercise which very nearly led to the excision of its highly-rated ER group. We hear that collegiality is high at Freehills and that junior lawyer attrition is significantly lower than at comparable competitor firms, but as with all top-tiers, expect long hours in exchange for high-profile work.

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Vital stats

Offices: 5
Partners: 197 (as at 15/10/2011)
Other Fee-Earners: 679 (as at 15/10/2011)

Revenue History

FY 2005/2006: $465m
FY 2006/2007: $485m
FY 2007/2008: $493m
FY 2008/2009: $493m
FY 2009/2010: $477m
FY 2010/2011: $511m

Profit History

FY 2005/2006: $195m (42%)
FY 2006/2007: $204m (42%)
FY 2007/2008: $202m (41%)
FY 2008/2009: $202m (41%)
FY 2009/2010: $191m (40%)
FY 2010/2011: $214m (42%)

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Rating: 3.6/5 (7 votes cast)