While law firms are increasingly opting to shorten company names, Sydney-based family law firm Abbott Delaney Lawyers is bucking the trend with its recent rebrand that ushers in a new legacy while recognising its distinguished past.

Delaney Lawyers was founded in 2001 by the late Michael Delaney, who throughout his career was a mentor to many successful family lawyers in Sydney – one of whom is the firm’s new principal, Rachael Abbott.

Rachael started her career as a junior lawyer with the firm in 2011, practicing under Michael and partner Graeme Hearl to hone not only her legal skills but also an undeniable passion for family law.

This valuable mentorship combined with a natural business acumen enabled Rachael to become partner and help evolve Delaney Lawyers from a small boutique firm specialising in family law to a more general practice that includes wills, estates, family provision matters and conveyancing, all while retaining its focus on family law.

With Rachael solo at the helm in 2023, it made business sense to change the firm’s name to acknowledge the new era. However, simply dropping the Delaney name – that of a valued guide and respected professional in Sydney’s legal landscape – wasn’t an option Rachael wanted to consider.

“I wanted the name to reflect the new beginning, but also remember its history,” she explains. “Abbott Delaney Lawyers does just that.”

As principal, Rachael – along with her highly-skilled team – is committed to delivering high quality legal services, settling hundreds of cases for its clients.

And, following in the footsteps of Michael Delaney in more ways than one, Rachael is now a mentor in her own right to a number of legal professionals.