who are
we

Macpherson Kelley is a commercial law firm focused on the mid market with offices in Brisbane, Dandenong, Melbourne and Sydney.

We’re structured to meet the needs of, and deliver value to, businesses who need direct, succinct guidance, without the extravagance of a traditional top tier firm.

We’re straight talkers who take care of your legal concerns, giving you the freedom to focus on what you do best.

We’re considered in developing our legal advice, taking into account your commercial goals and the market in which you operate, before forming a view.

We’re pragmatic in the advice we give and bold in our recommendations.

We put relationships with our clients first.

1905

the year we were born

300+

people

10,000

client matters solved yearly

4

offices

our story

When Jeffrey Macpherson started practicing in 1905, our journey began in the manufacturing heart of Melbourne’s south east. He would meet with clients at the bar of the Royal Hotel in Dandenong, being the sole lawyer of the firm until Charles Kelley joined as his junior partner.

Today we’re a full service commercial law firm with a national outlook and offices in Brisbane, Dandenong, Melbourne and Sydney.

Macpherson Kelley became an incorporated legal practice on 18 February 2008 and since 2015 has operated as a fully integrated national firm under the guidance of a Board of Directors.

our awards
and rankings

Achieving successful legal outcomes for our clients is our goal. Recognition from international and Australian legal guides is the icing on the cake.

Achieving successful legal outcomes for our clients is our goal. Recognition from international and Australian legal guides is the icing on the cake.

2021

  • IP Asia Awards – Australian Trademark Firm of the Year 2020
  • World Trademark Review 1000 – Prosecution and Strategy – Bronze
  • IP Stars – Trade mark prosecution – Notable firm
  • Doyles Guide – Workplace Health & Safety – Queensland – Recommended

2020

  • Chambers – Media- Band 1
  • Doyles Guide – Workplace Health & Safety – Queensland – Recommended
  • Doyles Guide – Intellectual Property – Queensland – Tier 3
  • Doyles Guide – Technology, Media and Telecommunications – Queensland – Recommended
  • Doyles Guide – Technology, Media and Telecommunications – Victoria – Recommended
  • World Trademark Review 1000 – Prosecution and Strategy – Bronze
  • IP Stars – Trade mark prosecution – Notable firm

2019

  • World Trademark Review 1000 – Recommended
  • IP Stars – Trade mark prosecution – Notable firm
  • Media Law International – Tier 4
  • Chambers – Media – Band 1
  • The Legal 500 – Asia Pacific – Intellectual Property
  • The Legal 500 – Asia Pacific – Labour and Employment law
  • Doyles Guide – Intellectual Property – Queensland – Recommended
  • Doyles Guide – Technology, Media & Telecommunications – Queensland – Recommended
  • Doyles Guide – Workplace Health & Safety – Queensland – Recommended
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macpherson kelley foundation

The Macpherson Kelley Foundation is our way of giving back to the community. We support a range of charities working with children, disadvantaged communities and animal welfare in Australia and overseas.

Since being established in 2016, our staff have embraced the Foundation’s vision and purpose by donating time and money and hosting fundraising events.

Through the Foundation we can also help clients achieve their own philanthropic goals by establishing a sub-fund within our framework.

follow us on instagram

Yesterday, our Sydney Litigation team hit the pavement at the J.P. Morgan Corporate Challenge in support of the event's beneficiary the Indigenous Marathon Foundation. 👣🏃‍♀️Being one of the world’s largest corporate running events, it was an event to remember!

The team conquered the 5.6 kilometre course, building connections with their colleagues and the wider professional community. Our runners are nursing their sore muscles and back to running (legal) cases but it was an event to remember. See you at the next one!

#JPMCC #runsweatinspire #playasateam
We are thrilled to announce that the Macpherson Kelley’s award-winning payroll giving program has again been named a Finalist for Best Payroll Giving Program by the Australian Workplace Giving Awards! 🥳

➡️ Did you know Macpherson Kelley has a whopping 59 per cent participation rate in our payroll giving program? 🤝❤️ That’s a lot of buy-in from people who genuinely care about the community and want to show their support to organisations doing important, life-changing work. 

A special thank you to Trisha Ann Kilgour our Responsible Business Manager and all who contribute to make this a point of pride for our firm. 

#macphersonkelley #payrollgivingawards #payrollgiving #bettereachday #playasateam
Final call for NSW law grads! 🎓

A reminder that our NSW Grad Program applications close this week on Thursday 26 September⏱ 

Thinking about your future? So are we. Don’t miss the opportunity to kick-start your career with Macpherson Kelley!

🔗 To apply, click the link in our bio.

#nswlawgrads #sydney #thinkingaboutyourfuture #lawgraduates2025 #macphersonkelley
🏆 We are excited to announce that Sapphire Parsons has been selected as a finalist for the 2024 Women’s Agenda Leadership Awards, as an Emerging Leader in the Private Sector. 🏆 Sapphire has been recognised for ‘spearheading a coalition of peak bodies in 2024, calling for amendments to workplace safety regulations to address gendered violence’. We are fortunate to have Sapphire as part of our Employment, Safety and Migration team and can’t wait to see the continued successes of her advocacy.  #mklawyers #workplacesafety #celebratingexcellence #macphersonkelley
Today is @ruokanyday 💛 You’ll see plenty of yellow on your feed, and these messages are important—not just today, but every day.

Take a moment to pause, reflect on your own wellbeing, and check in on those around you. At Macpherson Kelley, we’re proud to offer wellbeing services for our team and their families, ensuring support is always there when it’s needed.

If you’re not OK, remember that support is just one conversation away.

#ruokday #macphersonkelley #mentalhealthmatters #mklawyers
🎓New South Wales graduates – you're up next!

We're now accepting applications for our 2025 Macpherson Kelley Graduate Program.

This 12-month program located in our (brand-new!) Sydney Office gives you the opportunity to rotate across a number of different practice areas. What better way to kick-start your law career than with us?

Link in bio 🔗

#nsw #thinkingaboutyourfuture #lawgraduates2025 #mkcareers #sydney
We couldn’t be happier to share that Macpherson Kelley has (once again!) been named a 5-Star Employer of Choice by Australasian Lawyer.

This recognition underscores our commitment to prioritising employee experience—securing our spot as one of the top law firms to work for in Australia🏅 

We’re proud to be recognised for creating a workplace where our team feels supported and empowered. 

#bettereachday #macphersonkelley #australasianlawyer #employerofchoice

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