Expertise, insight and continuity in a changing legal landscape
In an industry defined by constant change, few partnerships endure for more than a generation. Even fewer span more than a century.
For over 125 years, ANZ has partnered with MacDonnells Law, supporting the firm through technological transformations, shifting business models and the evolving economics of legal practice. Today, that long-standing relationship stands as a powerful example of how specialist banking expertise, continuity of service and deep industry insight can help legal firms not only adapt – but thrive.
Navigating a legal industry in transformation
Luckbir Singh, Director at MacDonnells Law, has witnessed firsthand the pace of change across the legal profession.
“Even when I started, partners were talking about how much change they had already seen – moving from telex to facsimile, typewriters to computers, and the start of emails,” he says.
“Now we’re in an accelerated phase, where change impacts every part of the legal business.”
Today’s legal industry is shaped by:
- The rapid growth of smaller and emerging firms
- Increasing specialisation
- New delivery models and marketing channels
- The expansion of multi-site and geographically dispersed practices
As firms chart their own paths – from sole practitioners to more sophisticated multi-office operations – the need for a banking partner that understands these dynamics has never been greater.
A century-long relationship built on continuity and trust
Against this backdrop, MacDonnells Law’s 125-year banking relationship with ANZ is both rare and strategic.
“Continuity has made a material difference,” says Singh. “We’ve worked with our current ANZ Relationship Manager for 20 years, and that consistency extends across regional, Brisbane and Sydney-based professional services teams.”
This long tenure means ANZ doesn’t just understand MacDonnells Law’s financials – it understands its history, culture and long-term ambitions.
“We treat ANZ as a partner in our business. We share where the firm is going over the next two, three, four and five years, and we meet regularly to talk strategy, performance and what comes next.”
Supporting growth in a new era of legal practice
As the legal market evolves, growth no longer follows a single path. Firms may expand through new practice areas, additional offices, investment in people, technology and brand, and more sophisticated operating models.
ANZ’s specialist Professional Services banking teams are well positioned to support firms at each stage of this journey.
“ANZ invests the time to truly understand our business and the broader legal landscape,” Singh explains. “They have different specialist teams who add different value depending on what we’re trying to achieve.”
Cash flow lending and banking sophistication
For law firms, growth is often constrained not by ambition, but by cash flow.
Staffing, IT investment, marketing and premises all require funding structures that reflect the realities of professional services businesses – where value sits in people, expertise and work-in-progress rather than physical assets.
“ANZ truly understands cash flow lending,” says Singh. “They’ve built policies and facilities specifically around cash flow, which allows them to move quickly and support firms like ours that need to stay nimble.”
ANZ’s lending appetite and policy framework provide MacDonnells Law with flexible funding aligned to cash flow cycles, speed and certainty in decision-making, and scalable solutions that support ongoing growth.
Supporting the business of legal practice
As legal practices evolve, many of the challenges firms face extend beyond legal delivery to the broader management of the business itself. ANZ supports MacDonnells Law by focusing on the financial considerations that underpin sustainable performance, including appropriate funding structures and planning for change as the firm grows and adapts.
“While it’s important for a law firm to have great lawyers and great staff, it is imperative to have a great funding partner,” says Singh. “That’s where banks play an integral role.”
This business-focused support helps MacDonnells Law manage complexity and maintain stability in a changing operating environment.
Insight-led banking and lock-up management
Across the legal sector, lock-up management – the time between work being completed and cash being received – remains one of the biggest challenges to performance and profitability.
ANZ works closely with MacDonnells Law to address this through regular financial insight sessions, providing analysis and benchmarking to support better decision-making.
These sessions have helped the firm improve cash flow visibility, identify opportunities to reduce lock-up, and strengthen financial discipline as the firm grows.
“We meet every six months – not because we have to, but because there is real value in ANZ understanding our business deeply, and equally, in the insights they bring to us.”
Ease of doing business: the mark of a trusted advisor
For MacDonnells Law, one factor underpins the success of the partnership above all others: ease.
“No matter the relationship – banking or otherwise – it needs to be easy,” says Singh.
“A successful trusted advisor removes complexity and focuses on outcomes.”
Just as MacDonnells Law does for its clients, ANZ plays that role for the firm – delivering clarity, responsiveness and confidence in an increasingly complex world.
Looking ahead: a partnership for the next century
After more than 125 years, the relationship between ANZ and MacDonnells Law continues to evolve – anchored by trust, strengthened by insight and focused firmly on the future.
As the legal industry continues to change, ANZ remains well positioned to support firms seeking growth, increasing sophistication and scale, reinforcing its reputation as a long-term banking partner to Australia’s legal profession.
You can get in touch with an ANZ professional services banking specialist here.