Attwood Marshall Lawyers expands Brisbane footprint with major upgrade

The firm has recognised that Brisbane has witnessed substantial demographic expansion, bolstered by a surge in interstate migration and robust economic development in recent years.

At the same time, infrastructure investment and preparations for the 2032 Brisbane Olympic and Paralympic Games are helping reshape the city’s business landscape, property market, and long-term planning outlook.

Jeff Garrett, legal practice director at Attwood Marshall Lawyers, noted the rapid pace of Brisbane’s growth as an attractive destination to further grow the firm.

“Brisbane is one of Australia’s fastest-evolving cities, and our expansion reflects our long-term commitment to growing alongside the community we serve,” Garrett said.

The firm’s connection to Brisbane is a personal one, Garrett being a fifth-generation Brisbane-born Queenslander, with his family’s ties to Brisbane stretching back to the 1850s.

Those deep family roots give the firm’s continued investment in Brisbane an added significance, as Attwood Marshall Lawyers expands its presence in a city that has been part of the Garrett family story for generations.

The move comes after the firm elevated Hayley Condon to partner in a fellow Queensland office, where she will continue leading the family law department and contribute to the firm’s strategic direction.

Growing demand driving Brisbane expansion

Talking to Lawyers Weekly, Garrett highlighted that Brisbane’s growth has not only strengthened the firm’s personal connection to the city but has also created growing demand for its legal services.

“Our expansion has largely been driven by a steady increase in our compensation and litigation work and the decision to employ senior lawyers and paralegals who work full time in our Brisbane office,” Garrett said.

“Brisbane has changed significantly over the past 5–10 years; strong population growth, interstate migration, and a growing business community are just some of the factors contributing to greater demand for legal services.”

As Brisbane’s population and business community continue to grow, Garrett said the firm is seeing demand for specialised legal support across all stages of life.

“As more people establish their lives in Brisbane, buy property, build businesses, and plan for retirement, there is a corresponding need for experienced legal services at every stage of life,” Garrett said.

“For us, that means having more permanent staff to support people across a broad range of specialised legal services, including estate and commercial litigation, compensation law, estate planning and administration, aged care, family law, business advisory services, property law, and equine law.

“Expanding our Brisbane office allows us to manage the growth we are already seeing and position the firm for where we believe Brisbane is heading over the next decade.”

The legal challenges ahead

As Brisbane prepares for major development ahead of the 2032 Olympics, Garrett said the city’s growth will bring a range of legal challenges for property owners, businesses and families.

“The scale of development planned for Brisbane will create opportunities, but it will inevitably create legal challenges as well,” Garrett said.

“Property will be a significant area; as infrastructure projects and higher-density developments reshape parts of Brisbane, property owners will increasingly need advice around buying and selling, development, contracts, ownership structures, and disputes.

“We also expect continued pressure in the building and construction sector, which will keep our litigation team busy.

“With so many projects competing for contractors, trades and materials, and with issues around building defects, delays, escalating costs, contract disputes and insolvency, it’s likely to remain important for homeowners, builders and developers to have a trusted legal partner.”

Garrett also recognised the potential difficulties beyond infrastructure and projects, which may create more personal legal needs for families and local businesses.

“There’s also the very human side to Brisbane’s growth; with more people moving here, more families are building wealth, establishing businesses and caring for ageing parents in the region,” Garrett said.

“With that comes issues around estate planning, aged care and business succession planning.

“So, while 2032 is an important and exciting year ahead, the legal impact extends well beyond the Games themselves.

“Brisbane is becoming a more complex and mature city; we expect the need for specialist legal advice will need to grow alongside it.”

Attwood Marshall Lawyers has seven office locations in Coolangatta, Robina, Southport, Kingscliff, Sydney, Melbourne, and now its larger Brisbane office.