Founding partner David Grace celebrates 50 years as a practicing solicitor

One of Cooper Grace Ward’s founding partners, David Grace, is today celebrating 50 years as a practicing solicitor.

David was admitted as a solicitor on 15 February 1972 and has had an illustrious career providing expert corporate and commercial legal advice to countless clients and working tirelessly to grow the firm into the powerhouse it is today.

Along with his team, David specialises in company law and practice and in competition and consumer law. He also advises extensively on the duties and responsibilities of directors and officers.

In addition to his commercial knowledge, David has decades of significant board experience, including serving on audit committees of public companies and as a chairman of the operational risk management committee of a public company. He continues to serve on the board of several companies and as chairman of some of those companies.

He was also the recipient of an Order of Australia Medal in 2001 for his services to the community, particularly through traineeship programs and through family and aged care organisations.

As one of the founding partners of Cooper Grace Ward, David has steered the corporate and commercial workgroup from its early stages through several mergers, managed and mentored many team members, and advised on landmark transactions and matters for the firm’s clients.

In July 2014, David retired from the partnership and elected to stay on as a consultant where he is still highly sought after for his legal expertise.

David remains passionate about providing specialist competition and consumer law advice as well as corporate advisory services to CGW clients.

David, who generally tries to avoid the spotlight, commented on his milestone: “It feels like only yesterday that I was admitted as a solicitor and started my life as a lawyer. For the past 50 years, I have provided legal advice to both large and small companies that have gone on to thrive in the Australian business community, which is something that makes me feel very honored.”

“I’ve always been proud of my achievements and I intend to keep serving our clients for the near future.”

Managing partner Charles Sweeney also commented: “The entire team and I congratulate David on this significant milestone, and we thank him for his many and ongoing contributions to the life of the firm.”

“David is a highly-respected lawyer and clients continue to be impressed with his dedication to solving complex commercial matters.”