HWL Ebsworth has acquired Adelaide-based Botten Levinson Lawyers to enhance the firm’s environmental and planning practice and deepen its presence in South Australia, effective 1 August.
HWL Ebsworth chief executive partner Russell Mailler told Asia Business Law Journal that the acquisition was important to strengthen its environment and planning capabilities in South Australia.
“Prior to this acquisition, we were able to provide environment and planning specialists in all other areas of Australia, other than South Australia,” said Mailler.
Mailler added that environment and planning were key areas of need for those clients operating in the property and construction sectors, and one of our core strategic objectives was to offer outstanding quality in all areas of law relevant to our clients.
HWL Ebsworth’s chair of partners, Jamie Restas, said the move combined Botten Levinson’s market-leading expertise with its own full-service capabilities to offer broader services.
Four of six principals from Botten Levinson will join HWL Ebsworth’s Adelaide office along with their teams. Joining as partners are Botten Levinson principals James Levinson, Ali Field, Rosie Jervis and Pip Metljak, while two principals chose not to transition to the new team.
Levinson, who has more than 30 years of legal experience, said the transition would benefit clients by offering access to HWL Ebsworth’s national resources.
HWL Ebsworth confirmed there would be no changes to its name or partnership structure following the transition.
Botten Levinson was established by founder Jamie Botten as Jamie Botten & Associates in 1994. Botten retired in 2022 after more than 40 years in legal practice.
