Arnold Bloch Leibler is an Australian law firm headquartered in Melbourne, Australia.[1]

HeadquartersMelbourne, Australia
No. of offices2
No. of attorneys41 Partners, 34 Senior associations, (other lawyer numbers not publicly available)
No. of employees~300
Major practice areasTaxation Law, Commercial Law, Mergers & Acquisitions
Key peopleMark Leibler, Leon Zwier, Henry Lanzer
FounderArnold Bloch, Mark Leibler
Company typeLimited liability partnership
Websitehttps://www.abl.com.au/about-us/

The firm (including its predecessor firms) have been operating for around 70 years. Its head office is located in the Commercial Bank of Australia building, at 333 Collins St in Melbourne.[2] It is one of Australia's prominent mid-tier firms.[3]

As of June 2023, the firm has 41 partners; including its sole senior partner Mark Leibler, and its managing partner Henry Lanzer AM.[4] Its founding partner is Mark Leibler, a prominent member of Australian society.[5][6]

History and operations

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Ceiling of 333 Collins St

The firm originated in a 1969 partnership between the lawyers Mark Leibler and Arnold Bloch. Eventually, Bloch decided to leave the partnership and have the name changed; but Leibler insisted that the name of the firm stay the same even after Bloch's departure.[5]

The firm is involved at the boardroom level at many major Australian companies.[6] The firm has especially strong expertise in the areas of tax law and commercial law. Its boardrooms are named for the firm's founder Arnold Bloch, Ron Castan,[Note 1] and Sir Zelman Cowen.[2]

The firm is historically associated with Melbourne's Jewish community.[7][8][2][9][10][11] Reasons for this include; its leading partner Mark Leibler, its association with prominent legal professionals of the Jewish faith, and its 'early clients being Jewish businessmen finding their feet in their adopted Australia'.[12] The firm has distanced itself from past clients that have behaved in conflict with its historical roots. (such as Redbubble)[2]

The firm additionally has a strong association with law affecting Indigenous Australians, particularly the law of native title. It has practised in the area for 30 years, with a long-standing pro-bono practice.[13][14][15] The firm was additionally involved in the setting up of Australia's Reconciliation Action Plan program, the Uluru statement from the heart, and its partner Mark Leibler has made public statements in support of the Voice to Parliament.[16][17][18]

Notable Lawyers

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Notable Alumni

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Who led the legal team for Eddie Mabo in the Mabo v Queensland decision, where the firm acted as Solicitor

References

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  1. ^ Australian Government, The Australian Trade and Investment Commission (Austrade) (2021). "Australian Suppliers Directory - Austrade". www.austrade.gov.au. Retrieved 6 May 2021.
  2. ^ a b c d "The evolution of Leibler's law". Australian Financial Review. 2020-07-19. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  3. ^ Doraisamy, Jerome (2023-06-27). "Arnold Bloch Leibler promotes 12, including 3 new partners". www.lawyersweekly.com.au. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  4. ^ "People". Arnold Bloch Leibler. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  5. ^ a b Staff, T. S. I. "POWER AND INFLUENCE – THE LEIBLER FACTOR". The Sydney Institute. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  6. ^ a b "How Mark Leibler exercises his power and influence". Australian Financial Review. 2020-07-17. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  7. ^ Kohn, Peter. "Mark Leibler: The powerbroker and gatekeeper". www.australianjewishnews.com. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  8. ^ Milman, Oliver (2011-05-26). "Law firm cuts ties with RedBubble over Hitler t-shirt controversy". SmartCompany. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  9. ^ Leibler, Mark. "Leibler, his 'lobby' and their legacy". The Australian. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  10. ^ Gawenda, Michael (11 September 2020). The Power Broker: Mark Leibler - An Australian Jewish Life. Monash University Publishing.
  11. ^ Mendes, Philip (2020-09-11). "The many sides of Mark Leibler". The Sydney Morning Herald. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  12. ^ Kohn, Peter. "Mark Leibler: The powerbroker and gatekeeper". www.australianjewishnews.com. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  13. ^ Lawyer, The New (2013-03-06). "ABL takes on pro bono for Indigenous elder". www.lawyersweekly.com.au. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  14. ^ "Australian Pro Bono Centre | Q&A with Peter Seidel, Arnold Bloch Leibler". Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  15. ^ "Native Title & Public Interest Law". Arnold Bloch Leibler. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  16. ^ Leibler, Mark. "A Voice for the First Australians". www.australianjewishnews.com. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  17. ^ "Voice backers told: 'Ignore distractions, stay positive'". The Australian. Retrieved 28 June 2023.
  18. ^ Feyder, Jess (2022-10-16). "Lawyers 'ideally placed' to ensure public understands Voice to Parliament". www.lawyersweekly.com.au. Retrieved 2023-06-27.
  19. ^ "Noel Pearson: The importance of spreading opportunity". Good to Great Schools Australia. Retrieved July 19, 2023.

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