It is not the strongest or the most intelligent who will survive but those who can best manage change

Charles Darwin

Our law firm clients are experiencing a dynamic and challenging marketplace as they look to remain relevant and competitive to their clients.

The buyers of legal services are seeking greater value and reduced costs. Consequently law firms are experiencing downward pressure on rates, increased supplier competition and a need to adopt sophisticated relationship building and retention strategies.

Austin Hanley is an independent executive search and advisory firmspecialising in the legal private practice sector.

We play a key role in identifying and aligning lateral talent with the demand for the prerequisite skills required for sustainable growth in current market conditions.

Before we look......we listen

Austin Hanley is a legal search firm that has over three decades of experience in the Australian market.

We understand the idiosyncrasies and realities of your world and have strong personal connections with key stakeholders in the industry. This means we can quickly and effectively reach out to the most relevant talent.

As a privately owned business we are able to be flexible in our approach, operate under minimal off limits restrictions and can make commercial decisions rapidly.

For you this means speed and efficiency, without compromising quality.

Our service is discreet, professional and honest. A high rate of repeat business from our clients demonstrates the level of satisfaction that firms gain from partnering with us.

“Effective trusted advisors are very good listeners

David H. Maister

What can we do for you?

Before we look we listenWe offer discreet and confidential search assignments outside the public domain of typical recruitment methodologies (such as advertising).

We promote our client proposition within a market of passive lawyers who often require a flexibility that isn’t necessary when interviewing active job applicants.

As their passive curiosity evolves into a committed interest, we continuously assess their suitability, while advising on the complex logistics of moving to a new law firm.

We assist with the critical discussions surrounding business planning, salary negotiations and resignation.

Making mergers work fasterThe legal services market is changing. It is attracting new competitors using new business models. One response is to build stronger more adaptable law firms through business consolidation. However merger discussions are time consuming, emotional and often fail.

We are experienced in advising on all elements of merger planning:

Executive Search M & A Services Better Advice, Better PracticeMeaningful and executable strategies have never been more important to guide law firm leaders in their decisions and actions. Austin Hanley helps you objectively assess the range of opportunities and challenges that you face.

Our strategic and operational consulting team has proven capabilities in strategy development and implementation to improve both the effectiveness and efficiency of firm operations.

Areas of expertise include: • Strategic planning • Pricing models • Practice review and development • Client analysis, and • Operational best practice.

Enabling Better DecisionsAustin Hanley offer tailor-made market mapping, due diligence and competitor intelligence solutions for firms looking to take a strategic approach to workforce planning and growth.

Market mapping provides a candidate pool by assessing from a distance. We offer feasibility studies in relation to the launch of a new practice area or geographical expansion. This supports decision-making and enables you to move quickly and discreetly.

Competitor analysis provides feedback on how you are perceived by your clients or peers. This helps define a value proposition and identify strengths and weaknesses in relation to attracting or retaining employees and clients.

Due diligence helps to mitigate risk and avoid unwanted surprises around key hires.

Strategic Consulting Market Intelligence

• Agreeing the firm’s strategic focus • Research of the market and identification of

potential targets • Creating a shortlist • Approaching potential targets and arranging

exploratory meetings • Merger negotiations, and • Implementation.

Market Intelligence

National client seeking Banking and Finance heavyweight in Sydney AssignmentA national client wanted to elevate the profile of their banking and finance team to take advantage of an increased willingness of institutional banks to instruct a wider range of firms. ChallengeSpecific client synergies were essential as were targeted skills across property and corporate finance within premium banking. Austin Hanley’s ability to convey the strategic vision and perceived market opportunity was essential to a successful outcome. OutcomeInitial research was conducted across top tier firms, trading banks and property sources to identify and engage suitable targets whose practice would flourish within a non mega firm environment. Following an extensive Sydney search, one of Australia’s leading banking partners was appointed.

National firm underweight in Brisbane AssignmentNational firm with a head office in Sydney was seeking a greater presence in the Brisbane market for greater connectivity with interstate offices and to take advantage of local emerging opportunities. ChallengeMultiple partner hires were required who could bring national relationships to the firm and immediately add value to interstate offices. While practice synergies were essential, cultural fit was a key prerequisite. OutcomeMerger prospects were researched and reviewed before presenting an initial short list. Recognising the necessity for our client to differentiate their approach within an already desensitised market, Austin Hanley worked closely with the Managing Partner to engage merger targets within a personalised approach. A local merger was successfully delivered within a tight timeline.

What we have done for others...

OutcomeAustin Hanley conducted extensive industry led research into the Sydney market based upon target client synergies and the required “pioneering” type characteristics to determine those who would thrive within such an opportunity.

Austin Hanley’s industry connections on both client and firm side, assisted with identifying and appointing partners with the prerequisite skills and experience. This included sole practitioners and a team of partners, some of whom operated outside the usual mainstream of targeted laterals.

Melbourne client seeking interstate expansion

AssignmentThe firm had embarked upon a geographical growth strategy aligned with evolving client opportunities and demands. A new office was to be opened in Sydney CBD as soon as possible.

ChallengeTo identify individuals who would be attracted to and flourish within a greenfield opportunity. These pioneering roles required the promotion of the firm brand in Sydney coupled with the drive and determination to build from the ground up.

James Pfahl

James founded Austin Hanley with Richard in 2013.

James has successfully built and developed the legal desks and executive search practices for both international and Australian organisations and has more then 20 years experience in the industry in the UK and Australia.

He is highly regarded for his market intelligence, discretion and his contact network.

His record of success includes numerous key lateral hires, team moves and mergers across boutique, mid tier and top tier firms.

James holds an Honours degree in Law from De Montford University in England.

His passions include tennis, soccer and cooking.

james@austinhanley.com.au0403 753 199

Richard Pooley

richard.pooley@austinhanley.com.au0410 437 827

Richard is a co-founder of Austin Hanley.

In his 17th year of recruitment, Richard’s experience spans London, Melbourne, Perth, Sydny and Brisbane. Career highlights include managing global search mandates from Canada through to PNG for C level roles with professional services and ASX listed companies.

Since specialising in legal private practice executive search, Richard has enjoyed amassing frequent flyer points to manage-numerous partner searches, team moves and firm mergers.

With a track record that encompasses both industry and private practice, Richard draws upon a broad network of stakeholders and contacts to deliver executive search results.

In his spare time Richard enjoys fostering and rehoming greyhounds, soccer and Krav Maga.

B r i s b a n e | M e l b o u r n e | S y d n e y

Y O U R PA R T N E R I N L E G A L S E A R C H. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Austin Hanley is an executive legal search and advisory firm focused on Australia’s private practice sector. We help law firms realise their strategic and operational goals. We achieve this by facilitating law firm mergers and undertaking executive search to identify and secure suitable legal talent. As a result our clients have rewarded us with their ongoing trust. To find out more visit www.austinhanley.com.au

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