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The Early Years
After four years as an articled clerk, Bill (William) Slater’s past work experience enabled him to qualify as a barrister and solicitor. He was admitted to practice on 1 March 1922.
The Victorian division of the powerful Australian Railways Union (now part of the Public Transport Union) was dissatisfied with it’s existing legal representation, and offered Bill the work.
In Christmas of 1923, Bill married Mary Gordon, daughter of an Iryple horticulturalist, beginning the tightly-knit relationship between the Slater and Gordon families.
In 1924 George Prendergast chose a 35 years old Bill Slater as his Attorney-General, making him the youngest person ever to hold that post in Australia. In September 1924, Slater made his first attempt to widen application of the Workers’ Compensation Act.
After the Depression era William Slater decided to try rebuild his law practice. In March 1935 he took his young brother-in-law Hugh Gordon into partnership, and the firm became known for the first time as Slater & Gordon.
1935
William Slater & Hugh Gordon founded Slater & Gordon as a law firm focussed on servicing the needs of unions and their members, in particular in the area of workers' compensation.
1940s
In the spring of 1941, Hugh Gordon felt impelled to enlist. He joined the RAAF and was soon commissioned as Pilot Officer and sailed to England three months later. ‘We are being treated like first-class tourists’ he wrote to Slater from somewhere at sea. ‘Many thanks for keeping my place in the practice and all you have done for me.’
14 June 1943, Hugh’s aircraft took off on his thirteenth and final mission before being granted a transfer back to Australia. Shortly after midnight, the bomber was picked up over Holland on the radar of a German night fighter. Seconds later, Hugh’s Lancaster No. EE176 was shot down. Hugh’s remains were buried in Jonkerbos War Cemetary, near Nijmegen, Holland.
Despite the awful news, Slater decided to retain the name ‘Slater & Gordon’ for the firm, in memory of his young partner.
1950s
William Slater again became Attorney-General.
More strength was needed in the firm; Ted Hill’s younger brother Jim had now been admitted to a share in the partnership.
During the 1950s Slater & Gordon was only making about £3000 profit each year.
1960s
In June of 1960, Bill Slater suffered a coronary occlusion and was taken to Avonhurst Private Hospital in South Melbourne, where he died six hours later. The death certificate showed that he had also been suffering from pancreatic cancer for at least 9 months.
1970s
Slater & Gordon opened its first branch offices in Morwell in Victoria’s Latrobe Valley and in the Melbourne suburb of Carlton.
1980s
Slater & Gordon opened a major branch office in the Melbourne suburb of Footscray in 1984. In the same year Slater & Gordon conducted the first successful asbestos related cancer claim in Australia.
In 1985 opened an office in Perth to service the needs of the victims of the blue asbestos mine in Wittenoom, a case won in 1988. The following year conducted the first group settlement in Australia for 200 Wittenoom asbestos victims.
After opening the Perth office Slater & Gordon opened its first Sydney office in 1986, principally to conduct the Dalkon Shield IUD litigation.
1990
Slater & Gordon conducted one of the first successful HIV AIDS common law claim in the world.
1994
Introduced the No Win-No Fee™ initiative in Australia, giving the Company a competitive edge and firmly establishing Slater & Gordon as a consumer brand.
1997
Conducted the Kraft peanut butter contamination case, one of the first Federal Court class action settlements.
1998
The firm launched its first website.
1999
Won the historic Crimmins case in the High Court, clearing the way for hundreds of waterside workers and their families to be compensated for asbestos disease.
2001
Became an Incorporated Legal Practice and was set on the strategic path to expand geographically and in areas of law.
2002
Achieved the first mass breast implant settlement against Dow Corning worldwide.
2004
Represented the ACTU and asbestos victim support groups in the James Hardie Inquiry, resulting in the establishment of a $1.5 billion settlement in 2006.
2005
Slater & Gordon celebrated 70 years since first being established in 1935. Completed the acquisition of Geoffrey Edwards & Co (Sydney and Newcastle).
2006
Completed the acquisition of Maurice May & Co (Sydney and Wollongong), Reid & Reid (Newcastle), Gary Robb & Associates (ACT) and Paul J Keady & Associates (Broken Hill).
2007
A new look website was launched in April 2007.
In May 2007 Slater & Gordon Limited became the first Australian law firm to be listed on the Australian Stock Exchange to finance mergers and acquisitions (ASX: SGH).
In July 2007 Slater & Gordon Limited completed the acquisition of D’Arcys Solicitors, specialists in military compensation claims.
September 2007, marked the second acquisition for Slater & Gordon Limited since being listed and its largest to date with the acquisition of McClellands Lawyers.
Other acquisition in 2007 included Nagel & McGuire as well as Edwin Abdo & Associates.
2008
Asbestos victim Tim Lacone donated $200,000 of the record $2.75 million settlement to the Asbestos Research Fund. Slater & Gordon donated a further $300,000 making it a total of $500,000 to be used for research for asbestos related diseases.
Acquisition completes in 2008 were as follows: Crane Butcher McKinnon (Coffs Harbour), Quinn & Scattini (Brisbane), Rugendyke Lawyers (Newcastle), Blessington Judd (Sydney), Secombs Lawyers (Footscray) and Carter Capner (Brisbane and Southport).
2009
A number of organic offices were opened in 2009 as well as completed acquisitions, which included: John Micallef (Keilor), Long Howland (Gunnedah), McGlades (Ballarat), Kenyons Lawyers (various locations).
One of the first social workers employed by a law firm - Olga Gountras - was brought on board by Slater & Gordon.
2010
Slater & Gordon celebrated 75 years since first being established in 1935.
Some of the acquisitions completed in 2010 included: Stewart & Noble (Wangaratta & Myrtleford), Adams Leyland (Albury, Dubbo & Gilgandra) & leading Queensland litigation firm Trilby Misso Lawyers Limited.
Former partner of Slater & Gordon, Julia Gillard, became Australia's first female Prime Minister.
2011
On 11 January 2011, Slater & Gordon acquired NSW personal injury law firm Keddies Lawyers.
Launched Slater & Gordon Recover (tm), an innovative approach to professional negligence claims.
Opened news offices in Werribee, Warrnambool and Cranbourne in Victoria, as well as Dubbo in New South Wales.
In November 2011, Slater & Gordon announced the acquisition of Queensland’s leading conveyancing specialist, Conveyancing Works Solicitors.