Jodie Masson left the Sydney office of K&L Gates after seven years in January and joined local practice Williams James. She said: 'Property clients shouldn’t have to pay a ‘global rate’ to support a platform they don’t need and haven’t asked for.' Regarded the administration structures of the international firms, she said: 'It is imperative in the property space to be able to move quickly, but there’s a lot to go through in global firms before you can even open a matter, which slows you down.' 

Boutique status

William James was formed last year by two other former K&L Gates partners, Brendan Wyhoon and Michael Forrest. The firm now has four partners, including Ms Masson, and 15 staff. Like other boutique firms, it emphasises its ability to be flexible by taking steps such as encouraging value billing and not setting billable hours targets. Source: Lawyers Weekly