Freehills became the latest national firm to close its doors in Brisbane, with CEO Gavin Bell announcing yesterday afternoon (12 January) that all staff in Brisbane had been sent home (on pay), with some lawyers temporarily relocating to Sydney and Melbourne.

Bell also said that the Freehills Foundation would match donations made by staff for flood relief, and that the firm has offered to support the Queensland Public Interest Law Clearing House which is working with other legal bodies, such as the Queensland Law Society, to provide free legal information and advice to people affected by the floods.

Mallesons has also made a donation of $50,000 to the Queensland Premier's Flood Relief Appeal and will match staff donations through its Workplace Giving Program.

Other national firms, such as Corrs Chambers Westgarth and Johnson Winter & Slattery, in addition to leading Brisbane-based firms such as McCullough Robertson, have also evacuated staff and closed their Brisbane offices.

Firms are not expected to re-open in Brisbane until next week.

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