One of Griffith's law firms is set to become a large part of a national business through a merger with another firm.
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Cappello Rowe Lawyers merged with Hunt and Hunt Lawyers on October 1.
Hunt and Hunt is primary based in Sydney, but operates offices in Melbourne, Perth, Darwin and Brisbane.
Cappello Rowe partner Sarah Cappello said the while the firms will merge, she emphasised that for existing clients little would change.
"In terms of expansion, it's really propelled us 20 years," Ms Cappello said.
In terms of expansion, it's really propelled us 20 years.
- Sarah Cappello
The Griffith-based firm will turn 10 years old this year and Ms Cappello said there had been plans to grow Cappello Rowe organically over time.
Ms Cappello said when the firm was founded, the focus was providing commercial law services in Griffith meaning clients didn't have to head to Sydney or elsewhere.
"Being someone local who is of the same calibre of someone from a national firm has always been our aim," she said.
As the firm's clients had enjoyed success, the types of services they needed changed which had helped support the firm's growth over time.
Ms Cappello said organically growing the team could sometimes be challenging, and often graduates would pursue careers in commercial law in Sydney.
"It's often difficult to attract skills and expertise that we need, having a firm of this stature allows us to attract more talented individuals," Ms Cappello said.
She said the firm's focus on commercial, employment and family law had been a key driver in Hunt and Hunt pursuing the merger. Cappello Rowe's team of 15 staff have all joined the new firm, which employs 120 people in NSW and 500 nationally.
"It's the same people, but we're part of a national team, we're still providing that same service," she said.
Ms Rowe said the advantages would be being able to deliver services more efficiently as well as having access to a broad range of expertise.
The merger will see Ms Cappello become an equity partner in Hunt and Hunt Lawyers, while Andrew Rowe will be a senior consultant based in Griffith.
"There's some very exciting plans for Hunt and Hunt," Ms Cappello said.
"It's a firm which has been going for 90 years, they're transitioning and in a very short amount of time they'll be one of the top firms in Australia."
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