Lavan Legal was formed on 3 April 2006 as the result of a merger between Bennett & Co and Phillips Fox Perth. The 'Lavan' name recognises a distinguished Western Australian legal family and Lavan Legal’s founding path, which dates back to 1898.
The Lavan Legal name honours a distinguished Western Australian legal family. Michael Gibson Lavan, KC was born in Ireland in 1875 and practised as a barrister at the Irish Bar until 1897. In 1898, Michael migrated to Western Australia and was admitted to the WA Bar. He opened a practice that same year in Barrack Street.
In 1934 Michael Lavan’s son, John Lavan, joined the family firm. John was president of the Law Society of WA during the 1960s and worked at Lavan & Walsh for 35 years before leaving to become a Supreme Court judge. John Lavan was knighted in 1981.
In the ten years prior to merging with Bennett & Co (1996-2006), Phillips Fox Perth attained significant growth; an achievement of particular note in the difficult economic conditions of the early 1990s which resulted in static or even negative growth for other major law firms.
As a result of this growth, in April 1998 Phillips Fox Perth merged with boutique firm Majteles & Salmon (Sol Majteles is now a Partner in the Property Services Group and his son, Simon, is a Senior Associate in the Commercial Advice and Litigation Group) followed by a merger with Hely Edgar in 1999. Dean Hely is now Deputy Managing Partner and Group Leader of the Commercial Advice and Litigation Group at Lavan Legal.
Immediately prior to the formation of Phillips Fox Perth in 1984, the firm was known as Lavan & Solomon and was located at the Griffin Centre, on the corner of Howard Street and The Esplanade. The firm’s expertise included commercial litigation, taxation, family law, liquidation, corporate and liquor licensing. Lavan Solomon was formed in 1983, when the firm of Lavan & Walsh amalgamated with Morris Crawcour & Solomon.
Lavan & Walsh, which rose to great prominence in Perth legal circles, had a long and proud history dating back to 1898. Originally known as MG Lavan, this firm practised in Barrack Street. From 1966 to 1972, the practice was at 12 Howard Street, which was demolished to make way for the Griffin Centre. From 1972 to 1983 Lavan & Walsh was located at 524 Hay Street, Perth.
Morris Crawcour commenced practice in St Georges Terrace in 1910. In 1931, Morris Crawcour & Solomon moved to 8 The Esplanade, Perth, and from 1979 until 1983 was located within the AMP Building, 140 St Georges Terrace, Perth.
| 1898 | Michael Lavan opens his first practice in Perth. |
| 1910 | Morris Crawcour opens his practice. |
| 1917 | John Francis Walsh admitted to practice. |
| 1920 | Michael Lavan and John Walsh form Lavan & Walsh. |
| 1930 | Michael Lavan becomes president of the Law Society of WA. |
| 1934 | John Lavan joins his father’s Perth practice. |
| 1964 | John Lavan becomes president of the Law Society of WA. |
| 1969 | John Lavan appointed to Supreme Court of WA. |
| 1981 | John Lavan knighted. |
| 1984 | Lavan & Walsh merges with Morris Crawcour & Solomon to become Lavan Solomon. |
| 1985 | Lavan Solomon becomes part of national law firm Phillips Fox. |
| 1998 | Merger with boutique firm Majteles & Salmon. |
| 1999 | Merger with boutique firm Hely Edgar. |
| 2006 | Phillips Fox Perth merges with Bennett & Co to become Lavan Legal. |
