About Parke Lawyers
Our History.
One of Melbourne's longest-established legal practices, with professional roots that can be traced to the 1870s.
A Heritage Dating to the 1870s
Over more than 150 years, successive generations of lawyers have advised Victorian families, businesses, property owners and community organisations through periods of profound economic, social and technological change.
The firm as it exists today reflects a long tradition of professional continuity. Through growth, succession and strategic mergers, Parke Lawyers has brought together the experience, client relationships and professional heritage of a number of respected legal practices across Melbourne and Australia.
The earliest lineage of the firm can be traced to RH Ballard & Co, established in the 1870s and later incorporated into the practice of Holt & Macdonald. This connection provides the foundation of a professional history extending across more than a century and a half of legal practice in Victoria.
Predecessor Practices
The firms whose legacies live on at Parke Lawyers.
Holt & Macdonald
Merged October 2012
For more than fifty years, Holt & Macdonald served clients throughout Melbourne's eastern suburbs from Ringwood, becoming widely respected for its commitment to practical legal advice and community service. One of its founders, Robert Wilfred Holt, was admitted to practice in 1940 after studying at the University of Melbourne. His distinguished public career included service in the Victorian Parliament, where he held ministerial office, and later as the Federal Member for Darebin in the Australian House of Representatives. The Ringwood office continues to operate today, preserving a longstanding local presence in Melbourne's east.
Blakie + Britt
Merged May 2012
Established in Hawthorn during the 1970s, Blakie + Britt developed a respected suburban legal practice serving Melbourne's inner eastern communities, bringing with it decades of experience and client relationships.
Armstrong Lawyers
Merged December 2014
Armstrong Lawyers was a well-known Melbourne legal practice founded by the late Russell Armstrong. It continues as part of the firm's Melbourne CBD practice.
Hanlons Barristers & Solicitors
Merged October 2017
Hanlons Barristers & Solicitors, a respected Melbourne city practice, joined Parke Lawyers in October 2017. The merger strengthened the firm's presence in the Melbourne CBD and added further depth to its commercial, property and private client capabilities. Both partners of Hanlons joined Parke Lawyers, with Ken Hanlon serving as Consultant and Brian Reckas as Special Counsel.
AM Hennessy & Co
Merged 1999
AM Hennessy & Co was established by Annette Hennessy in Goondiwindi, Queensland, during the 1990s and developed a strong reputation in criminal law, family law and property law. Following Ms Hennessy's appointment as a Magistrate in Queensland in 1999, the practice merged with Parke Lawyers.
Today
Today, Parke Lawyers operates from Melbourne CBD and Ringwood and continues a tradition of legal service that spans more than 150 years. While the profession has changed dramatically since the nineteenth century, the firm's commitment to trusted advice, technical excellence and long-term client relationships remains unchanged.
The history of Parke Lawyers is not simply the story of a single firm. It is the combined legacy of generations of lawyers who have served Victorian communities since the 1870s and whose professional traditions continue to shape the firm today.
Recognition
Recognition and Client Trust.
The team at Parke Lawyers is proud of the professional recognition and industry accolades we have received over many years of practice.
These honours reflect our commitment to excellence, technical expertise and the high standards we set for ourselves. We are grateful to have been recognised by organisations including Doyle's Guide and the Law Institute of Victoria.
We believe, however, that the greatest recognition comes from our clients. Every time an individual, family, business or referral partner chooses Parke Lawyers, it represents the strongest possible endorsement of our work. The confidence our clients place in us is the foundation upon which every professional achievement has been built.
We have earned public recognition only because our clients continue to trust us to resolve legal issues in a manner that is practical, efficient and focused on achieving the best possible outcome.
Awarding Bodies
Timeline
Professional Recognition.
- 2023
- Doyle's Guide — Leading Wills, Estates & Succession Planning Law Firm, Victoria.
- 2021
- Doyle's Guide — Leading Wills, Estates & Succession Planning Law Firm, Victoria.
- 2017
Doyle's Guide — Leading Wills, Estates & Succession Planning Law Firm, Victoria.
Doyle's Guide — Leading Wills & Estates Litigation Law Firm, Victoria.
- 2015
- Finalist — Law Firm of the Year Award (Fewer than 50 Partners), Law Institute of Victoria.
Community
Community Commitment & Pro Bono Service.
Parke Lawyers believes that access to legal assistance should not depend solely upon financial circumstances.
For many years our team has contributed professional time and expertise to community organisations, charitable initiatives and pro bono legal programmes that support vulnerable individuals and families across Victoria.
National Pro Bono Aspirational Target
Parke Lawyers is a signatory to the National Pro Bono Aspirational Target and consistently exceeds the annual voluntary contribution encouraged under the programme.
Community Partnerships
We are proud to support organisations that provide practical assistance to vulnerable Victorians, including through the Cancer Council Pro Bono Program and the Salvation Army Community Wills Program.
Endorsements
Cancer Council Victoria
"Cancer Council would like to acknowledge the speed with which Parke Lawyers responded to offer assistance to clients in crisis, their sensitivity toward families in distress, and their flexibility and compassion in dealing with seriously ill clients. Cancer Council values the commitment of the whole team at Parke Lawyers to assisting people affected by cancer."
The Salvation Army
"During my time with the Gift in Wills team, your incredible support for The Salvation Army has been invaluable. Your time and expertise have enabled countless individuals to receive professionally drafted Wills and assistance with other legal matters."
Our Clients
Our Clients.
For more than 150 years, the professional lineage of Parke Lawyers and its predecessor practices has advised clients ranging from individuals and families to businesses, charities, government bodies and large organisations.
We act for publicly listed companies, local governments, charitable organisations, family businesses, professionals, property owners, executors, trustees and private individuals. While the nature of our clients varies considerably, they share a common expectation: practical legal advice delivered with professionalism, discretion and sound judgement.
Many of our client relationships span years, and in some cases generations. We regard those long-term relationships as one of the firm's greatest strengths.
Based in Melbourne, we advise clients throughout Victoria and across Australia, as well as Australians living and conducting business overseas.
Legal Costs
Our Approach to Legal Costs.
We believe clients should have a clear understanding of legal costs before work begins and throughout the life of a matter. At Parke Lawyers, we are committed to providing transparent, fair and commercially sensible fee arrangements tailored to the nature of the work being undertaken.
We discuss costs openly at the outset of every matter and provide clear information about how fees will be calculated, together with estimates where appropriate.
Fixed Fees
For many matters, we are able to offer fixed fee arrangements that provide certainty and clarity from the outset. Fixed fees are commonly available for services such as:
- Wills and estate planning
- Powers of attorney
- Conveyancing and property transactions
- Selected commercial and corporate matters
Hourly Rates
Where the scope of work cannot be predicted with certainty, fees are generally charged on the basis of time spent.
This approach is commonly used for litigation, dispute resolution, complex commercial matters, estate disputes and other matters where the extent of work required may vary significantly.
In these cases, we will explain the applicable hourly rates and provide an estimate of likely costs based on the information available at the time.
Business Retainers
Many business clients prefer the certainty and accessibility offered by an ongoing retainer arrangement.
Retainers can provide regular access to legal advice and support for a fixed monthly fee, helping businesses manage legal risk while maintaining cost certainty and predictable budgeting.
Disbursements
In addition to professional fees, some matters involve payments to third parties on your behalf. These expenses, known as disbursements, may include government charges, court filing fees, title searches, registry fees, barristers' fees, expert reports and other external costs.
We charge disbursements at cost and do not apply mark-ups to third-party expenses.
Transparency and Communication
We recognise that legal costs are an important consideration for every client. Our commitment is simple: clear communication, no surprises and ongoing discussions about costs as your matter progresses.
If circumstances change or additional work becomes necessary, we will discuss those issues with you promptly so that you can make informed decisions about how your matter proceeds.
Quality & Sustainability
Quality, Sustainability and Responsibility.
Parke Lawyers has long been an early adopter of internationally recognised management systems, reflecting a commitment to quality, security, sustainability and organisational excellence that extends beyond the traditional practice of law. These systems support the way we manage risk, protect client information, improve service delivery and maintain accountability across the firm.
At Parke Lawyers, professional responsibility extends beyond legal advice. We are committed to maintaining high standards of quality, environmental stewardship and workplace safety through independently audited management systems.
Our Environmental Management System is certified to ISO 14001:2015 and reflects a longstanding commitment to reducing our environmental footprint. Initiatives include energy-efficient office operations, solar generation at our Ringwood office, responsible waste management practices and the continued expansion of secure digital workflows that reduce paper consumption.
These initiatives form part of a broader culture of accountability and continuous improvement. Together with our ISO-certified management systems, they demonstrate a commitment to operating responsibly, managing risk effectively and delivering professional services to the highest standards.
Our certified management systems and information security framework demonstrate a commitment to operating in accordance with internationally recognised standards and best practices.
For our clients, this means working with a firm that values quality, sustainability and long-term stewardship as much as legal excellence.
SME Climate Commitment
Parke Lawyers is a proud member of the SME Climate Hub and has committed to halving its greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 as part of the United Nations Climate Change High Level Champions' Race to Zero campaign.
This commitment complements our ISO 14001-certified Environmental Management System and reflects our ongoing focus on responsible business practices, sustainability and continuous improvement.
Security & Confidentiality
Security and Confidentiality.
Trust is built on confidentiality. Every matter entrusted to Parke Lawyers involves information that is personal, commercially sensitive or legally privileged. Protecting that information is one of our most important responsibilities.
Our approach extends well beyond the measures commonly found in many legal practices. We maintain robust physical, electronic and procedural safeguards designed to protect client information at every stage of a matter, including secure document management, controlled access systems, cybersecurity protections and secure information disposal processes.
Information Security
Parke Lawyers was the first law firm in Australia to achieve certification to ISO 27001, the internationally recognised standard for information security management, in October 2010.
Today, we continue to maintain information security systems and controls aligned with the principles of ISO 27001. These systems support the protection of confidential client information through structured risk management, access controls, secure information handling practices, staff awareness and ongoing review.
For our clients, this means information security remains embedded in the way we operate, helping to safeguard personal, commercial and legally privileged information throughout the life of a matter.
Why It Matters
Whether acting in a commercial transaction, managing a deceased estate, advising on a dispute or assisting with personal legal affairs, clients need confidence that their information will remain secure and confidential.
Our commitment to internationally recognised information security standards reflects a broader commitment to professionalism, accountability and risk management. It is one of the many ways we seek to provide clients with confidence that their legal affairs are being managed responsibly and securely.
At Parke Lawyers, protecting client confidentiality is not simply an obligation — it is a core professional value.
Workplace Health & Safety
Workplace Health and Safety.
At Parke Lawyers, we are committed to providing a safe, healthy and supportive environment for our people, clients and visitors. Effective workplace health and safety management is an important part of responsible professional practice and reflects our broader commitment to risk management, accountability and continuous improvement.
Industry Leadership
On 12 September 2009, Parke Lawyers became the first law firm in Australia to achieve certification to OHSAS 18001, the internationally recognised occupational health and safety standard of its time.
As international standards evolved, the firm successfully transitioned to ISO 45001, the current global benchmark for occupational health and safety management systems. Our ISO 45001 certification is independently audited and reflects a proactive approach to identifying risks, preventing incidents and promoting workplace wellbeing.
A Culture of Safety
Our workplace health and safety framework supports:
- Proactive identification and management of workplace risks.
- Continuous improvement through regular review and independent audit.
- Staff engagement and participation in safety initiatives.
- Safe and healthy working environments for employees, clients and visitors.
Why It Matters
Strong workplace health and safety practices are about more than compliance. They demonstrate a commitment to professionalism, responsibility and the wellbeing of everyone who interacts with our firm.
For clients, it provides confidence that Parke Lawyers operates to internationally recognised standards and maintains a culture focused on continuous improvement, risk management and organisational excellence.