Trinity Law
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Surprise party leaves lawyer speechless! “IT’S unusual for a lawyer, I know, but I can safely say I was at a loss for words for a moment there,” says Michael James, partner at Trinity Law, on the surprise party that was arranged for him by his colleagues to celebrate his 20 years in the law. The surprise party at Ottoman Cuisine in Barton went off without a hitch, and Michael, 44, says he had a fantastic night. “I’m not sure how they all kept it quiet, but I know a lot of work went into organising the party and it’s very much appreciated,” he says. Property lawyer Michael, who was named REIACT Solicitor of the Year in 2009 and has been a nalist in this category for the last few years, including this year, says that his rst job was in 1990 with Meyer, Boettcher and Clapham, now Meyer Vandenburg, with his current PA, Angie Patron. “I had a large plywood desk, six les and a pen, and I looked very important – I just didn’t quite know what to do next,” he jokes. “Angie gently suggested I might sign a letter, and it all went from there. “It’s a source of genuine surprise just how much time has gone by.” Trinity Law was founded in 2004 by Michael and his two partners, John Irvine and Maurice Falcetta, and Angie Patron. “We started out with ve people, three mobiles and a whole lot of goodwill and enthusiasm, and we haven’t looked back,” he says. “Canberra is a fantastic jurisdiction to work in. It’s been a great joy for me because it’s a place that values the strength and longevity of trusted long-term relationships, something I believe very strongly in. “Trinity Law has gone from a standing start in less than six years to a team of about 25 people, a turnover of $3-4 million annually and a whole range of clients – and now their children and in some cases, grandchildren. That really does mark the passing of time.” Trinity Law, with its core values of excellence, efciency and integrity, is focused on property, commercial and construction legal work, and invests heavily in ensuring that all staff, partners, solicitors and legal clerks are at the cutting edge of developments in these areas. It does not do family, personal injury or criminal law. Property Law is not incidental to its practice; it is an integral and essential part of its business, he says. The three partners share the common thread of property, with Michael as the traditional property lawyer, John the principal of commercial and commercial property, and Maurice the principal of litigation and commercial dispute resolution. Michael, who is chair of the ACT Law Society’s Property Law Committee and chair of the Australian Property Law Group, part of the Law Council of Australia, says that by far the greatest thing the law has given him is his wife Lisa Manzoney, a solicitor for the ACT Government, whom he met 15 years ago when she was doing work experience at Meyer Clapham. “She jokes that when we met it was one of those few times she had to listen to me,” he smiles. The couple now have two children, a daughter Neve, who’s seven, and son Darcy, ve, who was born the same year Trinity Law was started. “Family and community is the bedrock for Trinity,” says Michael. “We are the right company for clients who need a long-term relationship, with a business background and an emphasis on property.” Trinity Law, Level 2, 214 Northbourne Avenue, Braddon. Call 6163 5050.
16 CityNews November 10-17
Andrew Brown, Claire Skein, Sarah Mills, Annette and Rob Petrovic, Jan Manzoney, Garry James, Suzie and Grant Wilson and Jannette James
Lisa and Michael James
Mario Camarotto, George Konstantinou, Kate Mahony, Sam Grech, Sarah Mason-Jones, Rosie Jones, Peter and Anna Camarotto.
Patricia and Maurice Falcetta, Nicole and Nigel Saunders, Jacqueline and Doug Konstantinou
Harry and Mary Ellen Konstantinou, Mark and Alex Waldren, Peter and Dot Barclay, Alex Lam, Ross Solly and Gulbahar Kaya
Dan and Myra Cooper, Mario and Fiona Sanfrancesco, Kylie Maxwell, Jenny Tiffen, Angie Patron, Gerard Tiffen and Jason Maxwell.
Peter, Karen, Jim and Nicci Sarris, John Irvine, Stefanie Cordina, Gerard and Sally Boundy
Jaime Farrelly, Alison Osmond, Michael James, Eileen Webb and Daniela Karamacoska
Frank and Michelle Pompeani