“There are a lot of law firms talking about other law firms at the moment.”

Clients are picking up on firm preoccupation with the merger activity and internal restructuring , Denton said. “Clients aren’t interested ... and they’re asking: does anyone care about us?”

He also claimed two camps are emerging: “Firms focused on clients; and those focused on what other firms are doing”.

Corrs’ “external focus” places it in the former camp, Denton argued. While he admitted Corrs hasn’t ruled out a merger, he maintained  that the firm’s emphasis on client service would continue even if a global tie-up took place.

Partners are also attracted to Corrs for its client focus, he continued, adding that a number of partners he has recruited from merged firms cited a desire to maintain client relationships as the reason they made the move.

But, based on claims made on the Clayton Utz and Gilbert & Tobin websites, Corrs may have to compete with other national firms for the title of Australia’s most client-focused firm.

Clients are king:

Corrs Chambers Westgarth: “Partners who come to our firm and want to work with us are really client focused”

Clayton Utz: “Australia’s most client-focused law firm”

Gilbert & Tobin: “Our lawyers are now preferred by clients operating in all sectors of the economy”