Fildes joined Middletons back in 1993 to help the firm establish its family law practice in Melbourne, leading the practice up until this year.

"Middletons then was a mid-tier commercial firm with a particularly large shipping, commercial, property and commercial litigation [practice]. So family law was a new discipline … it really sustained itself for many, many years," Fildes said.

"[But] the days of having private client practices in a large commercial firm were probably [coming to an end] and I took the view that, consistent with a lot of family law practices, it's better to be boutique," Fildes said, adding that the move was made with Middletons' blessing.

"We've really become a stand-alone boutique practice and I think that really seems to be the trend in the family law industry over the last 20 years or so. Certainly the larger firms in Sydney, their family law practices broke away some years ago … So I thought it would be a good idea for our respective groups to join forces ... We all talk the same language now."

Fildes said the new firm, which is based in Melbourne, specialises in property settlements and disputes, all aspects of de facto relationships, restructuring and estate planning, divorce and issues related to parenting.

Middletons' national managing partner Nick Nichola said the firm was looking forward to continuing a close professional association with Fildes and his new firm, as Middletons begins a new era with a purely commercial focus.

"Paul is an exceptional family lawyer and highly respected. He and his team have the full support of Middletons and we thank them for their fantastic service to the firm over many years," Nichola said.

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>> Oct 4, 2010: Middletons partner launches new firm

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