25 years ago, CEO David Newman didn't think he'd be helming the firm at such a significant time
On 1 August, Maddocks commemorated a major anniversary – 140 years in the industry. The firm was launched by Joe Maddock and Arthur Johnson as a Melbourne-based partnership in 1885 – since then, it has extended its reach across Australia as a corporate law firm with over 95 partners and 700 staff.
Recently, CEO David Newman shared his thoughts on this landmark year to Australasian Lawyer; in the first part of the interview, he tells us how he began his tenure with the firm and discusses what he considers to be the biggest challenges Maddocks has weathered in the last 140 years.
When did you start with Maddocks, and in what role?
I commenced at Maddocks in 2000 (25 years ago next month!) as a senior associate in the commercial practice team focusing on insolvency and restructuring. The late 1990’s and early 2000’s was the start of a really exciting time of growth for the firm and many of the young partners and senior lawyers that joined the firm around that time are still with Maddocks today.
I was fortunate to be made a partner after a couple of years, and it was exciting to be part of the growth of the firm over the following decade as we expanded our service offerings and opened offices in Sydney and then Canberra.
Did you think you would end up leading the firm into this milestone anniversary? What does it mean to you to be in this position now?
Honestly, 25 years ago I didn’t imagine I’d be leading Maddocks at all, let alone into its 140th year, it’s an incredible privilege. As a partner we have an obligation to be stewards of the firm, and this includes stepping in to leadership roles as they present themselves. This milestone is about longevity, values, relationships, and resilience that have carried us through generations of change.
I have benefited from the strong leadership of all the firm leaders that have come before me, and I am proud that if being in this position has meant that I have helped shape the next chapter of a firm that’s always stood for integrity, excellence, and service. It’s very humbling to reflect on the legacy we’ve inherited, and exciting to think about where we’re headed. Like Maddocks leaders before me I am committed to making sure I leave the firm in a better shape than when I started. We are committed to being the modern Australian law firm.
What do you think are the biggest challenges the firm has overcome?
Being in operation for 140-years has seen the firm have to adapt but ultimately thrive through many significant and historic challenges: world wars, the great depression, recessions and pandemics. Not to mention the legal profession itself. The way lawyers work is unrecognisable from the way Joe Maddock serviced his clients in the late 19th century. The profession has moved from handwritten correspondence to typewriters to fax machines to desktop computers to laptops and now AI.
The current technology changes shaping the way we work and the communities in which we live, and the pace of that change, may be one of the greatest challenges the firm has faced in its history. With that challenge comes opportunity and we are excited to embrace the future.
