After more than 20 years leading mid-tier Brisbane legal firm HopgoodGanim Lawyers, Bruce Humphrys is stepping down as managing partner in a move that will elevate one of its top corporate lawyers to the leadership role.
Humphrys, who has been with HopgoodGanim since 1979, will finish out the current financial year at the helm, although he will maintain his ties with the firm through an advisory role from 1 July 2023.
Luke Mountford, one of the firm’s most experienced corporate and commercial lawyers, has been appointed to replace the long-time managing partner.
The firm says Humphreys’ advisory role will see the veteran legal eagle focus on client and referrer relationships, enabling him to give back to the firm by mentoring the next generation of talent.
Humphrys has led HopgoodGanim as managing partner since 2001, overseeing a sixfold increase in revenue since then with the firm highlighting his ‘multi-faceted growth agenda’ in that time that has included strategic mergers and development in key practices.
“It has been a privilege to guide HopgoodGanim to a position of strength and prosperity, and I am looking forward to continuing to support the firm in an advisory capacity moving forward,” Humphrys says.
“A change in responsibility and intensity will also afford me some time to pursue other interests and passions.
“I’m a strong believer in giving the next generation of leaders the same opportunities I was afforded more than 20 years ago, and now is the right time to transition to a new leader who will successfully guide the firm into the future and continue our growth focus.”
Mountford has led the firm’s private enterprise practice since 2009 with his team executing more than $1 billion in transactions over the past year. This included advising Queensland-based over-50s communities developer Halcyon on the $620 million sale of its business to Stockland (ASX: SGP) and Seachange Group on the $270 million sale of its land-lease communities to Ingenia (ASX: INA).
“I am looking forward to taking the next step in my career, while continuing to work with my valued clients and friends of the firm,” Mountford says.
“On behalf of our Partners and staff, I would like to thank Bruce for his more than 40 years of service and commitment to delivering exceptional legal and commercial outcomes. He has grown the business to a 300-strong workforce that offers quality legal services across Australia and internationally. We would not be where we are today without Bruce’s expertise and experience.”
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