The firm's CEO highlights Maddocks' biggest achievements in the last 140 years
Earlier this week, Maddocks CEO David Newman told Australasian Lawyer of how he never envisioned leading the firm into its landmark 140th year and discussed the storms the firm has weathered throughout its history. In the second half of this interview, Newman shares what he considers to be Maddocks’ biggest achievements thus far, and the kind of legacy he hopes the firm will leave in the next century.
What in your opinion are Maddocks’ top 3 achievements to date over the past 140 years?
Enduring partnership with our clients – Law firms simply don’t exist without the support and trust of our clients. Maddocks has acted for Melbourne City Mission (MCM) and many Victorian councils for over a century. MCM is our oldest client and has been with the firm since the very beginning. Joe Maddock (our founder) held a 14-year tenure as a councillor for the City of Prahran which shaped legislation around building by-laws and land use zoning. This legacy has seen Maddocks play a pivotal role in supporting the development and governance of communities across the country. Maddocks works hard to make sure every client has the same storyline – they worked with us once and never left.
National expansion and sector leadership - from a two-person partnership in 1885, Maddocks has grown into a national firm with over 800 staff across Melbourne, Sydney, and Canberra. That growth has been achieved without a merger in our 140-year history. That strategic, organic growth has allowed us to foster and maintain our strong culture and helped establish us a go-to advisor for major corporates, governments, and iconic organisations in sectors like infrastructure, education, healthcare, and technology.
Commitment to innovation, pro-bono and impactful legal work - Maddocks has consistently embraced innovation to modernise its practice and improve client outcomes. From advising on landmark projects, to supporting cross-border M&A deals and major tech acquisitions, the firm has demonstrated agility and forward-thinking. Maddocks has a strong commitment for all lawyers to participate in pro bono work, and our interest in public interest law further reflects our mission to make a meaningful difference for clients, communities, and the legal profession.
What impact do you hope Maddocks has on the industry in the next 140 years?
Over the next 140 years, I hope Maddocks continues to be a force for positive change in the Australian legal industry and the communities in which we live and work. We want to be known not just for legal excellence, but for how we empower our clients, support our people, and contribute to the communities we serve. That means staying ahead of emerging areas such as AI, cybersecurity, and climate law, while continuing to lead in areas like public sector work, infrastructure, and social impact.
Ultimately, I hope Maddocks is seen as a firm that never stood still - one that evolved with purpose and stayed true to its values.
Over the next 140 years, I hope Maddocks continues to be a catalyst for positive change in the legal industry, and we continue to combine deep expertise with bold innovation. As we sit at the new frontier of transformative AI use, I hope Maddocks is seen to have lead the way in using technology ethically and intelligently for the betterment of the profession and our clients.
At the same time, our commitment to integrity, collaboration, and public service will remain at the heart of everything we do. I hope we're known not just for legal excellence, but for shaping a more inclusive, resilient, and forward-thinking profession - one that’s ready for whatever the next century (and nearly half) brings.
