It seems that the 10-hour time difference between Sydney and London really is proving to be a bit of a problem for senior management at Kennedys.
After launching its first Australian office in Sydney three months ago, both Sydney managing partner Mark Doepel and UK chief executive Ric Martin have confirmed that the firm was in preliminary talks with Melbourne lawyers about opening a second office.
Well, it’s not quite that simple. Martin initially denied to The Lawyer that Kennedys was planning to open a Melbourne office, while at the other side of the globe Doepel indicated that an office would be opened forthwith. Stronger still was Doepel’s bullish comment that “London is dedicated to growth in Australia and understands that means opening more offices”.
Martin categorically stated: “We’re not seeking to establish a national network within Australia.”
As BT used to say, ‘it’s good to talk’, and perhaps Martin should get up a bit earlier to have a chat with his colleague.
