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Australia’s largest legal partnership faces a crisis after its long-time leader Juan Martinez died suddenly at the age of 64 following a suspected heart attack.
HWL Ebsworth’s CEO died on Monday evening, prompting an urgent meeting between the company’s financial partners at 10 a.m. on Tuesday.
Mr Martinez has been hailed as “a giant of the Australian legal profession”, with 26 years’ experience as the firm’s managing partner.
HWL Ebsworth chairman Ross Williams has now been appointed interim managing partner.
HWL Ebsworth, Australia’s largest legal partnership, is facing a crisis after its long-time leader Juan Martinez died suddenly at 64 following a suspected heart attack.
Earlier this year, Mr. Martinez was given three more years as managing partner after saying the firm needed stability following attacks by Russia-linked hackers, according to the Australian Financial Review.
He is also believed to have promised to develop a succession plan, fearing the company was too reliant on his leadership.
Mr Martinez took over as managing partner in 1998, when the firm had an office in Melbourne and was known as Home Wilkinson Lowry.
Over the years, he continued to set the strategic direction and directions of the company, growing it through mergers and acquisitions and lateral hires.
Today, HWL Ebsworth employs approximately 1,250 people and 285 associates.
Russell Mailler, strategy director of HWL Ebsworth, said Mr Martinez was “an invaluable leader” and a great father to his three children.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with Juan’s family, friends and colleagues as they process this devastating news,” he said.
Today, HWL Ebsworth employs approximately 1,250 people and 285 associates.
A statement released by the firm said Mr Williams, Mr Mailler and chief operating officer Kris Hopkins would work together to ensure HWL Ebsworth continued to meet the needs of its clients and support their team members during this period difficult.
Mr Mailler said HWL Ebsworth had “a strong and stable management team” who had planned for Mr Martinez’s eventual retirement.
“We are devastated by the loss of Juan, but there is no crisis and we will honor Juan’s legacy by ensuring the company continues its extraordinary success into the future,” he said. declared.
Mr. Martinez was a “dynamic leader” who “did business in a very different way than our big brothers in the industry.”