Award-winning law firm, Australian Business Lawyers & Advisors (ABLA), have opened an office in Newcastle to provide on the ground support for businesses in the region.
Working in collaboration with the NSW Business Chamber, ABLA offers a unique service that reaches beyond legal advice to include genuine and lucrative business support and connectivity.
The local ABLA team in Newcastle office is headed by one of Australia’s leading and most experienced work, health and safety lawyers, Jeremy Kennedy. Jeremy and his team of talented local lawyers (Suzie Leask, Kate Thomson and Madeleine Tiedeman), offer support to business in the region in the areas of IR, employment, WHS and corporate and commercial law.
At a gala opening on Wednesday, 6 April 2016, dozens of the region’s leading businesses heard from guest speaker, Dr Rod Harrison, former Deputy President of the Industrial Relations Commission, who said ABLA’s specialised niche service to local business is helping to build the region’s economy.
“This is an exciting time for the Hunter and our businesses and local community can only benefit from the expertise and commitment of true forward-thinkers such as the team at ABLA,” he said.
“ABLA champions the development and prosperity of business and together with the NSW Business Chamber they provide a collective voice for business in the Hunter.”
ABLA CEO, Nigel Ward, said the firm’s regionally focused approach made opening an office in Newcastle a must.
“Our approach has always been ‘think local – act global’ so we knew that to make a real difference and to further drive and strengthen the local economy, we had to be here at the coalface,” Nigel said.
“We are business advisors, not just lawyers. We harness our relationships and connections for the benefit of our clients and the benefit of the local communities in which we work.”
“We believe in making our client’s lives simpler by delivering effective solutions and practical advice in language that is understood by business, for business.”
“Our service is relationship driven. We see ourselves as an additional cog in the wheel of business so our clients can get on with running and building their business.”
“We are proud to be part of the Australian Business Solutions Group and value our partnership with the NSW Business Chamber.”
Nigel brings more than 30 years’ experience in business strategy and law including enterprise bargaining, award and industry advocacy, business change and restructure and workplace health and safety.
CEO of the NSW Business Chamber, Stephen Cartwright, said the Chamber’s unique relationship with ABLA benefits not only clients but the wider region.
“The prosperity and success of each and every one of our clients has a direct and net benefit for the region by growing our economy and improving our community,” Stephen said.
Stephen Cartwright is CEO of the Australian Business Solutions Group and Chairman of Australian Business Lawyers (both wholly owned subsidiaries of the NSW Business Chamber). He is also a Director of the Australian Chamber of Commerce and is well respected for his leadership, direction and advocacy of business and his track-record influencing government policy for the benefit of the business community in New South Wales.
As an extension of a business’s internal team they act as in-house counsel and are driven by the goals and aspirations of their clients, with business success and prosperity at the fore.
But perhaps the last word should go to local business owner and operator Roger Easton from Highland Honey who was thrilled to promote his local produce at the official launch of ABLA’s Newcastle office.
“That’s why I joined the Hunter Business Chamber, to get support for my business!”
The ABLA office is located at the Watt Street Commercial Centre on the corner of King and Watt Streets in Newcastle.
Image | Dr Rod Harrison, Jeremy Kennedy, Stephen Cartwright
