Independent law firm McCullough Robertson (McR) is celebrating the centenary of its formation today.
On this day in 1926 a partnership agreement was signed, creating the firm under its original name of McCullough & Robertson (the “&” was dropped in 1987).
McCullough Robertson Joint Managing Partner Damien Clarke said the firm was excited to be celebrating the milestone this year with clients, its people, alumni and community partners.
“We are incredibly grateful for the contributions of so many in making McR what it is today, and for the trust our clients have placed in us,” Mr Clarke said.
“But we are most excited about the future and the next 100 years, driven by collaboration, the success of our clients and our people, innovation and community impact.”
The firm has used today’s milestone to announce a commitment of $1 million in pro bono legal services to support the housing sector.
McR was founded by Robert McCullough from Barcaldine in Western Queensland and Jack (known as Jock) Robertson from Brisbane.
In the early years it was a generalist law firm with an agricultural base of mainly pastoral clients.
Through the 70s and 80s its services were extended to tax and estate planning and corporate law and, in the 90s, full service corporate and commercial practices were added.
Today McCullough Robertson (McR) has 60 partners, and more than 450 people across Brisbane and Sydney, known for its “unique culture and commitment to creating opportunities for its people”.
The firm acts for domestic and international corporates, SMEs and private clients across industries that include resources and renewables, technology, media and telecommunications, food and agribusiness, government and community housing.
It employs “talented, down-to-earth people who are focused on understanding industry and always being there, providing frank, commercial and timely advice”.
McCullough Robertson Chair of Partners Kristan Conlon said the firm was proud of its strength and independence.
“We honour our history and the leadership that has brought us here, and we are proud of the platform we have for the future,” she said.
“Our commitment is to preserve the essence of McR and to leave a legacy of community contribution as we embark on the next 100 years.”
Ms Conlon said the commitment to provide $1 million in pro bono support for the housing sector followed several years of hands-on experience working in the community housing sector.
It reflected the need to address the current national housing crisis.
“This ($1 million commitment) builds on the pro bono advisory support provided to the sector during recent years through our Community Partnership Program,” Ms Conlon said.
“As our firm turns 100 we are looking to work with government, industry leaders and housing providers to design and deliver practical and much needed step change solutions.”
More on the McR Community Partnerships Program can be found here.
