Perth Law Firm Strengthens Grip on High-Net-Worth Market
In a significant move within Western Australia's legal sector, Nedlands-based Cullen Macleod Lawyers has announced a dual-pronged expansion strategy aimed squarely at capturing more business from Perth's wealthiest clients. The firm has officially acquired the boutique commercial practice Taylor & Taylor and has successfully recruited Jackson McDonald partner Sally Bruce to lead its wills, estates, and succession planning division.
Strategic Acquisition and a High-Profile Hire
The acquisition of Taylor & Taylor brings a notable piece of legal work into Cullen Macleod's portfolio. Taylor & Taylor is the firm representing the Rhodes family in its high-stakes Supreme Court battle against Gina Rinehart and the Wright family. This dispute, centred on a 1969 agreement concerning billions in Pilbara iron ore royalties from the Hope Downs operation, generates tens of millions of dollars in annual legal fees.
Concurrently, the appointment of Sally Bruce signals a major push into estate planning. With over two decades of experience managing complex estates and trusts for ultra-rich families, Bruce was recognised as one of WA's three preeminent lawyers in her field by the 2025 Doyle’s Guide.
Positioning for a Wealth Transfer Boom
This expansion is a direct response to the growing competition among law firms to capitalise on Australia's accelerating intergenerational wealth transfer. According to the Productivity Commission, inheritances are projected to see a four-fold increase by 2050. Local data supports this trend, with the WA State Administrative Tribunal reporting a 16 per cent rise in guardianship and administration applications in the 2025 financial year.
Catriona Macleod, a director at Cullen Macleod, stated that the firm is aiming to set the pace for the mid-market. "WA clients want speed, sector fluency and judgement," Macleod said. "Bringing Taylor & Taylor into the tent and elevating estates leadership under Sally positions us to set the pace... especially when disputes escalate and decisions can’t wait."
Michael Taylor, co-founder of Taylor & Taylor, emphasised that the merger provides his clients with access to a larger platform while retaining the firm's signature responsiveness. The commercial terms of the Taylor & Taylor acquisition have not been disclosed. With these strategic moves, Cullen Macleod, which now employs 36 people, is firmly positioning itself as a key player for Perth's elite and their evolving legal needs.
