Cooper Grace Ward has been named one of Australia's fastest growing commercial law firms. We offer a full range of corporate and commercial services to Queensland and nationally-based clients. We have maintained a growth position in our marketplace and in December 2009 merged with Bain Gasteen Lawyers to create a firm of more than 220 people today, delivering an enhanced range of services and opportunities for our clients and our team members.
Since our origins in 1980 we have established a first-class reputation as a commercially-focused firm with the people, experience and resources to achieve excellent outcomes for our clients. We are committed to our clients' success, the development of our valued team members and our continuing role as our clients' business partner.
Throughout our history we have attracted a wide range of clientele, particularly financial institutions, property owners and developers, government clients, insurers, small to medium enterprises and private clients.
Our clear Purpose and Values have underpinned our success and our focus around people and client service strategies has delivered results for the firm at a national level.
In both 2009 and 2010, Cooper Grace Ward was named Best Australian Law Firm (revenue<$50m) in the BRW Client Choice Awards. What's so pleasing about this result is that it's based on direct feedback from our clients.
We have also been recognised as an Employer of Choice for Women by the Federal Government’s Equal Opportunity for Women in the Workplace Agency (EOWA) in 2009, 2010 and 2011.
These achievements reflect the value we place on relationships with our clients and our team members.
Our History
Since our beginnings in 1980, Cooper Grace Ward has grown to become one of the largest law firms in Queensland. But where did it all begin?
1980
In the summer of 1980, a time when Brisbane was on the verge of becoming more than just a big country town, three lawyers were ready to back themselves. With specialisations in Property Law, Commercial Law and Litigation, Peter Cooper, David Grace and Chris Ward began practising as Cooper, Grace and Ward Solicitors on 22 December.
1981 - 1990
By 1982, the year that Brisbane hosted the Commonwealth Games in the newly built QEII stadium, our firm was steadily building confidence in the market place, much like the city itself. The developments of Sanctuary Cove and Raby Bay in 1984, and the Gateway Bridge in 1986, proved that Brisbane had started to move forward. These developments, combined with the Stock Market crash of '87, meant that over the following years money was being taken out of stocks and being invested in property. "They were heady days, the air was filled with energy," current Managing Partner, Chris Ward recalls. "Those were the days of Christopher Skase and Alan Bond. Australia won the America's Cup and Australia hosted World Expo 88". From our 24th floor offices in what was then the MLC building, we watched over the Brisbane River as South Brisbane became a hive of activity during Expo 88. As Australia worked hard to present itself on the world stage, Cooper Grace and Ward continued to work hard at building a strong and reliable name for ourselves.
In 1990, we made the move to the top tier riverside location Central Plaza 2 but just as it seemed as though things could only get better, Australia's economy hit hard times with the recession of the early 90s. Chris Ward remembers the time as "really tough" but admits it provided an opportunity for the firm to learn a lot of valuable lessons about our structure and direction as a business.
1991 - 1995
In 1993, Cooper Grace and Ward decided to become affiliated, but not financially integrated, with the national Hunt & Hunt Legal Group, a move that was deemed as necessary for Brisbane based commercial firms at the time.
1996 - 2000
During the mid 90s, as the economy began to grow stronger so did the firm, and in 1996, the year that John Howard became Prime Minister, in a decision that was described by Chris Ward as "consolidation, growth and moving forward with a kindred connection", we merged with another commercial firm, Thompson King Connolly. By 1998, the dynamics of the firm had matured. We understood our capabilities and where we stood in the marketplace, and consequently the firm grew consistently over the following years.
In 2000, Brisbane was fast growing as an alternative for business from Sydney and Melbourne as major international companies such as Virgin Airlines, Boeing Australia, Mincom and Billabong set up their head offices in Queensland. The growth in Brisbane over these years as a thriving business district meant that Queensland rapidly became Australia's fastest growing economy.
2001 - 2006
This exceptional growth in Brisbane is just one reason that underpinned our strategic decision to move forward from March 2006 as an independent Queensland-based firm that services local, national and international clients, under the name of Cooper Grace Ward Lawyers.
Chris Ward explains: "It was important for us to gain back our independence as a firm and take advantage of the phenomenal growth that has happened here in Queensland.”
This change was met with great support from our clients and our team. It has enabled us to better meet the needs of our clients and the aspirations of our people.
2009
In October 2009, Cooper Grace Ward expanded into a five star, green-star designed building at 400 George Street, Brisbane. The move was driven by the need for more space to accommodate the continuing growth of the firm.
In the new premises, covering 4,300m2 over three floors, the firm offers its team members a state-of-the-art working environment.
The new A-grade commercial building, situated in Brisbane’s Northern Quarter Precinct, provides easy access to green spaces, shopping, cultural and entertainment venues in both the CBD and South Bank via the new Kurilpa Bridge. In addition, 400 George Street sits within the heart of the Supreme Court Precinct.
Within three weeks of the relocation to 400 George Street, Cooper Grace Ward made an announcement of a substantial merger with Bain Gasteen Lawyers, effective from 1 December 2009. The merger took the firm's total numbers to 200+ people, providing additional depth, support and services for clients.
The merged firm was initially known as Cooper Grace Ward (incorporating Bain Gasteen) and from February 2010 became Cooper Grace Ward.
