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

🏆 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
We're delighted to welcome our new Principal Lawyers, Suzy Cairney and John Kehoe, into the Macpherson Kelley fold! 🎉

Joining our Brisbane office, Suzy brings swathes of experience in civil infrastructure, energy, and sustainability projects. John, based in our Melbourne office, is an expert in construction, infrastructure, and renewable energy across multiple jurisdictions. 

Their combined expertise is an invaluable addition to our Construction, Infrastructure, and Energy practice—further strengthening our capabilities in these key areas.

Please join us in welcoming Suzy and John to the firm!

#principallawyers #construction #infrastructure #energy #mklawyers #brisbane #melbourne
Grad Program applications for VIC and QLD close THIS week! 🎓 

Thinking about your future? So are we. A friendly reminder that the deadline to submit your Graduate Program application for Victoria and Queensland graduates is just around the corner⏱

Don’t miss the chance to kick-start your career with us!

To apply, click the links in our bio 🔗

#brisbaneLawGrads #victorianLawGrads #mklawyers #thinkingaboutyourfuture #lawgraduates2025
Over to you, Brisbane! 🎓 

Applications are now open for Queensland #lawgraduates looking to launch their law career in 2025.

If you’re a recent law graduate or set to graduate by March next year, our Queensland Graduate Program is your next big move. Applications are open, but not for long—deadline is 23 August.

Application link in bio 🔗

#brisbane #mkcareers #thinkingaboutyourfuture #lawgraduates2025

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