Herbert Smith Freehills to relocate Melbourne workforce

Global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills will move its Melbourne operations into new premises at 80 Collins Street on 12 July. The new premises will provide an exceptional client experience and further enhance the way that the firm’s people work, connect and collaborate.

All of the firm’s Melbourne workforce will now work in the same office, including the firm’s Alternative Legal Services (ALT) team that is currently based in St Kilda Road.

Rodd Levy, Managing Partner of Herbert Smith Freehills’ Melbourne office, explained that the firm’s new Melbourne workplace will prioritise the firm’s clients and people.

“After a challenging 18 months, our people in Melbourne are looking forward to the move. The planning for the move came at an opportune time, allowing us to design a work environment for our people that is flexible and future fit for a post-Covid world,” Mr Levy said.

The relocation comes after the firm announced its global Agile 60 remote working policy with the expectation that people work in the office for an average of 60% of their working time.

“Our new Melbourne office has been designed with our agile workforce in mind, supporting our commitment to creating a workplace that meets the evolving needs of our people. We aim to empower them to choose a working environment where they can perform at their best and in the way that best suits them, whilst delivering a consistently excellent client experience,” added Mr Levy.

The firm’s new office will be located in Dexus’s newly-completed 38-level South Tower at 80 Collins Street, on the corner of Collins and Exhibition Streets. The building incorporates sustainable building materials, energy and water efficient equipment, and an elevated indoor setting to minimise the impact on the environment and enhance the experience of the people who work at and visit the building. The South Tower has been designed to a 6 Star Green Star rating – the highest sustainability rating given by the Green Building Council of Australia.

Herbert Smith Freehills enlisted Bates Smart to design its new office and SHAPE Australia to complete the build. To celebrate the city of Melbourne, the firm worked with Art Pharmacy to source pieces from local and emerging artists to bring Melbourne’s unique creative culture into the work environment.

The Chief Administrative Officer for Herbert Smith Freehills globally, Alan Peckham, who is also Melbourne-based, said that the new workplace would provide space for employees to collaborate and build on the firm’s strong values.

“The office design integrates physical, cognitive, and social wellbeing considerations, encouraging high performance while supporting mental resilience,” he said.

“To that end, we have prioritised access to natural light for all workstations, incorporated extensive planting, and ensured that a café and internal staircase are featured in the design.”

Mr Levy added “We have chosen to break down the barriers between the traditional ‘front of house’ and ‘back of house’, and will actively encourage our clients to make use of our café, alongside our people. As the café is in the middle of our reception area, not only will clients be at the centre of everything we do, we are putting coffee in the centre too!"

Herbert Smith Freehills’ Melbourne operations are currently located at 101 Collins Street and 600 St Kilda Road.