Morrissey operates across all areas of construction and infrastructure, including major projects, contract drafting and negotiations, project delivery, dispute resolution, security of payment, and general commercial advisory. Morrissey also works closely with businesses across the transport, not-for-profit, financial services, and agribusiness sectors — and will operate as Hamilton Locke from 1 January 2023.

Managing director of Morrissey Hamish Geddes said that the acquisition would benefit the boutique’s clients.

“Hamilton Locke’s people-led culture and dedication to creating the best possible client experience directly aligns with our team’s values,” he said.  

“We are thrilled to join Hamilton Locke and continue to provide our staff with opportunities for growth, as well as exceptional service to our clients with our expanded offering. We look forward to collaborating with our colleagues at Hamilton Locke and maintaining our focus on helping our clients’ businesses grow and thrive.”

This also marks the expansion of Hamilton Locke into the Newcastle market, in addition to the firm’s presence in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth and Auckland. 

This news follows a year of strategic growth for the firm, following the launch of an office in Perth with four foundation partners earlier this year, three of whom were partners and one of whom was a special counsel at global firm HWL Ebsworth, as well as the expansion of the firm into New Zealand in November.

This came after Hamilton Locke’s acquisition of The Fold Legal and expansion into Brisbane in June and July of 2021, respectively, and the absorption of the Melbourne office of McMahon Clarke in 2019.

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Speaking to Lawyers Weekly in March, Hamilton Locke founder and managing partner Nick Humphrey said that the firm “will continue to grow”. Then, earlier this month, the firm’s parent company HPX Group revealed an extensive rebrand, with the group revealing further plans to list on the ASX in the near future.

Commenting on the acquisition, Mr Humphrey said the firm was “delighted for the Morrissey team to join our expanding offering”.

“Morrissey’s business is strategically aligned with Hamilton Locke, in particular the firm’s focus on innovation and agile delivery models, as well as providing a strong people experience and culture,” he said.

“Morrissey has significant depth and breadth of expertise in the construction and infrastructure sectors, and we are looking forward to bolstering our expertise to further deliver these services to our clients.”