Piper Alderman law firm expands nationally from 1998 on lineage strength accumulated in Adelaide from 1840s
Significant figures in the Piper Alderman practice's history from the 1840s in Adelaide law (top from left) William Bakewell, Arthur William Piper and Harry Alderman. The South Australian firm started to expand nationally in 1998.
Images courtesy Piper Alderman
Piper Alderman, formed as one of Adelaide’s largest law firms in 1988 and expanding nationally 10 years later, could trace its South Australian origins back to 1848.
The Piper Alderman lineage started in Liverpool, England, when solicitor William Bartley and his former junior employee William Bakewell in that city arrived separately in Adelaide in 1839. When Bakewell was admitted to the bar in Adelaide in 1848, they formed Bartley & Bakewell that became one of the largest and best conducted law practices in the city. Both Bartley and Bakewell had wider effect on the public life of early South Australia.
In 1892, Arthur William Piper joined Bartley & Bakewell & Stow and worked up an extensive practice, especially in commercial cases. From 1892, he also was on the board of examiners of the supreme court and, from 1906, he lectured in commercial law at Adelaide University. Piper was appointed King’s Counsel. in 1911 and appointment as justice of the supreme court.
Meanwhile, Bakewell, Stow & Piper from 1897 became Piper, Bakewell & Piper in 1922. The firm acted for families and private clients as well as representing commercial interests in steelmaking, manufacturing, banking, insurance, primary production and retailing.
The Adelaide law firm of Aldermans, founded by nationally-linked barrister Harry Alderman in 1928, had grown 60 years later to employing 70 including nine partners, and focused on insurance and commercial law. In 1988, Aldermans and Piper Bakewell & Piper merged to form Piper Alderman one of the largest firms in Adelaide. The firm’s national expansion started in 1998 with an office in Sydney, followed by one in Melbourne two years later, and Brisbane (2004).
Piper Alderman merged with Adelaide-based boutique corporate law firm Watsons Lawyers in 2016, boosting the energy and resources practice. Next year, Piper Alderman joined with Melbourne-based boutique corporate and commercial firm Norton Gledhill.
In 2021, Piper Alderman opened a Perth office with a strong employment relations and corporate practice. Piper Alderman continued as its historic leading role as advisor to Australian commercial interest as well as being at the forefront of many emerging areas of law, from landmark rulings to new legislation.