The M+R Story

The firm’s story begins in 1986.

At that time, Clive Brookes (then a senior partner with Freehill Hollingdale & Page) together with Patrick Monahan decided to establish their own practice.

Brookes had an enviable and long standing reputation in the insurance industry both locally and in London.  He handled a broad range of insurance litigation which included professional indemnity, public liability, products liability and fidelity claims.

Patrick Monahan had recently arrived in Australia from South Africa and practised as a commercial litigator particularly in the areas of public and product liability, defamation and professional indemnity claims.

In 1986, Brookes was introduced to a Sydney insurance firm through the agency of a common client, Duncan McMillan of the Michael Payne Syndicate at Lloyds in London.  After a short while, Brookes and Monahan agreed to establish and become the founding partners of this firm and both were then partners of Ebsworth & Ebsworth in Melbourne.

So, on 1 June 1987, the firm commenced practice and a federation of legal practices in two major cities was born.

Under the stewardship of Brookes and Monahan, the firm grew rapidly and developed a strong reputation in the Melbourne market for its excellence in the areas of insurance law, transport and commercial litigation.

As the firm grew, it attracted a number of leading practitioners to its ranks.  Robert Tuck joined the firm in 1987.  Philip Rowell, Bruce Butler and Mark Attard joined in 1992 and Andrew Probert joined in 1997.  With them, they expanded and complemented the firm’s service base to include areas such as self insurance, reinsurance, employment and industrial relations, building and construction, aviation, corporations, banking and finance and corporate compliance.

The changing times in the economy of the late 1980s gave rise to a number of very large matters and multi-party claims.  During this time, Brookes and Monahan, and later Tuck, Rowell and Attard were responsible for preparing and conducting the defences of a number of professional people who became involved in these ground breaking cases.  The firm developed extensive experience in the efficient management and resolution of significant litigation.

Sadly, Clive Brookes passed away in 1993, but he left behind a magnificent legacy in the Melbourne legal market.

In its relatively short history, the firm has been responsible for managing major litigation in most Australian states.

In 1999, the firm moved to its present location at Rialto Towers.

The year 2004 proved to be a watershed year with the firm incorporating a number of significant developments.

As the firm evolved, differences emerged in the federation.  These differences related to values, culture and philosophy.  In 2004, the firm renamed itself Monahan + Rowell. 

At the same time, the firm established a close association with the Sydney firm Colin Biggers & Paisley.

In July 2004, Melissa Gojak and Allison Grice were appointed partners expanding the firm’s litigation coverage.  Also in 2004, Mark White joined our commercial team.  Mark brought his significant experience in the area of corporate and commercial advice.

In May 2006, Justin Griffin was appointed a partner joining the firm’s insurance practice, working with Philip Rowell and Bruce Butler.

In March 2007, Melissa Gojak left Monahan + Rowell to join one of the firm's major insurance clients.  This posting will further strengthen the relationship between the firm and its clients.

In May 2007, Monahan + Rowell celebrated their 20^th anniversary, having commenced practice in 1987.

In June 2008, Mary Edquist rejoined the firm as a commercial partner, bringing with her a significant health law practice.

In August 2008, Rita Zammit joined the firm as a partner, practising primarily in the area of medical negligence and associated health law issues, as well as the area of product liability.

From modest beginnings, Monahan + Rowell today have 30 lawyers who are supported by a large number of support and administration staff.  The firm's clients include leading insurers and underwriters both local and abroad and many significant corporations and organisations.  The firm has developed a strong specialist practice in the areas of insurance, construction, transport, self insurance, employment law and commercial litigation.

The firm's emphasis on leading the field in certain specialities, its attention to clients and their requirements and its focus on innovative outcomes to complex problems has seen the firm dubbed as “The Thinking Client's Law Firm”.