A local law firm has returned to its Woy Woy roots after closing down in Gosford and merging with Peninsula Law last month.
History has repeated itself after the acquisition of the Gosford-based Ferry’s Law Firm completed the cycle that started when Robert Ferry formed ‘Ferry & Steele’ with David Steele in 1979.
Principal of Ferry’s Law Firm, Robert Ferry, said he had worked as a lawyer in Woy Woy until 1989, before moving to Gosford in 1991.
“I first gained my qualifications when working for a solicitor in Woy Woy in the 1970s and approached him about a partnership,” Ferry said.
“He said he didn’t believe in partnerships but would pay me well. I left.
“I hung up my shingle down the road and we grew the practice.
“I left there in 1989 because I was physically and mentally stuffed.
“I took a couple of years off and then came back in 1991 and have been at the business since.”
Ferry said the industry has changed a lot since he began his law career.
“We always used to have morning tea out the back [of court] with the magistrate, the police and other lawyers but that got cut out about 10 to 12 years ago,” Ferry said.
“It’s a bit of a shame because it created a sense of community …there’s always something interesting happening.
“I think the industry is going very well [and] there’s always something to do.
“They make all these laws and changes that are decided to settle matters, instead of going to court.
“But all they’ve done is make it more complicated for lawyers to commence legal proceedings … and no one settles anyway.
“I have [some] regrets… I’ve always had a very close relationship with my clients, I like to look after them – I’ll miss the clientele.
“I’ll also miss the staff, they’ve been here for years and they are like a second family to me.”
Ferry said he will be working part time at the Woy Woy office, “working [his] way towards full retirement.
“The interesting part of the merger is that two of David Steele’s partners are his daughter (Kylie Tritton) and youngest son (Peter Steele),” Ferry said.
“I think they look at me as the experienced one that can give them some guidance here and there.
“After 40 odd years, I’ve got a fair bit of knowledge up in my head.”
Peninsula Law has a broad range of expertise across all areas of law, including Conveyancing, Criminal Law, Personal Injury, Wills and Estates, Family Law and Commercial Law.
“Dad’s legacy lives on, with the firm retaining the expertise of our experienced partners, and also bringing in new blood,” Peter Steele said.
“Peninsula Law has gone from strength to strength, with long standing partners and experienced younger solicitors coming through the ranks,” Kylie Tritton said.
“We love helping locals and many of our clients have been with us for decades.”
Maisy Rae and David Abrahams