Our firm
Richmond & Bennison is a well established and respected medium sized law firm based in Melbourne and Mordialloc.
Michael Richmond, founder of our firm, opened the first office in Mordialloc on the 2nd of October 1972. John Bennison joined the firm in 1976 at which stage it became known as RICHMOND AND BENNISON.
We continued to grow and in 1982 our Melbourne office was opened to provide legal services to all of Melbourne and surrounding areas.
Our firm has been built with the support of loyal clients and staff. Clients include public companies, partnerships, family businesses and individuals.
We have a collaborative approach with our clients and have developed enduring business and personal relationships. In some instances we are assisting and advising the next generation.
Our partners and staff are approachable and accessible whenever clients need us. We are proud of the long term commitment from our staff, some having been with the firm for over 20 years.
The Firm has Accredited Specialists in the areas of Family Law, Commercial Litigation and Business Law.
Fee Policy
At Richmond & Bennison we are strongly committed to providing clients with quality, cost effective legal services. From the beginning we discuss with you the potential costs involved to ensure you have a full understanding of this important aspect.
Personal Injury Law
Your first interview is free of charge. During this interview we will discuss whether your claim meets the criteria for a conditional fee arrangement (no win - no lawyer's fee).
A conditional fee arrangement is one in which professional fees incurred by our Firm in acting on your behalf are not payable by you unless your claim is successful. Our fees are calculated in accordance with the fee scales set by the Victorian Courts.
If we offer you a conditional fee arrangement, an additional fee is charged. This charge reflects the risk we have taken in agreeing to not charge for our work in the event your claim is unsuccessful and to reflect the additional expenses incurred by The Firm in agreeing to offer the conditional fee arrangement.
The amount of the additional fee is dependant upon the risk involved in your case but will not exceed 25% of the total costs payable.
Where a claim is unsuccessful, you will not have to pay us for our professional fees.
However, whether your claim is successful or unsuccessful, you will still be responsible for payment of our out-of-pocket expenses. These include fees such as payments to doctors for reports which are unrecoverable from other parties or doctor's fees for attendance at court, court fees and government charges.
In some types of claims, litigation is either not possible or will rarely occur. In these circumstances we will charge you in accordance with a scale fixed by the Courts and in the event you are unsuccessful, fees will be 'capped' at a specified limit.
Family Law
We will provide you with your first half hour interview at no cost. Work performed by Richmond & Bennison after this time will be charged on an hourly rate.
Other Services
Enquiries regarding legal fees for other services may be made to our Melbourne or Mordialloc offices.
Careers
Richmond & Bennison is a law firm committed to growth. We need hard working people to continue our progress.
For the right person, we offer a rewarding and balanced career. If you are highly skilled and motivated, please submit your resume to Michael Moran Partner-in-Charge of Human Resources.
For information about our Supervised Workplace Training Program (previously known as Articled Clerkship), please also contact Michael Moran.
Community Involvement
Richmond & Bennison and its people are committed to assisting the local community.
We sponsor the following local sporting clubs:
- Banyule Amateur Football Club
- Donvale Football Club
- Mordialloc Football Club
- Mordialloc Bowls Club
- Parkdale Bowls Club
We are also involved in the following community organisations:
- Australian Lawyers Alliance
- Legal Aid Family Law Panel
- Mentone Citizens Advice Bureau
- Michael Moran, Executive Member, Yarra Junior Football League
- Mordialloc Chamber of Commerce
- Timothy Finemore, Board Member, Eastern Football League
- Women’s Legal Service