Statistically speaking the deck is stacked against Australian small business, with 60% of new ventures failing in the first three years*. Combined with the challenge of navigating a global pandemic, and specialist workplace law firm Kingston Reid’s 5th birthday seems even more impressive. On 18 November 2019, Kingston Reid opened their doors across Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth with a founding team of 45. The name Kingston Reid might have been new, but the experience and footprint in Australia was anything but: most of the founding team having worked together for many years.
Despite the risks, DeBoos notes that Kingston Reid’s formation was a calculated play “given the gap in the market for a top-quality firm focused solely on workplace issues”. Five years on and there is tangible evidence with respect of this firm’s success: equal footing with ‘top tier’ firms in all legal directories, industry recognition from peers and independent research firms and “legal victories that have made a tangible difference to our client’s organisations and to the development of the law” says DeBoos. Yet none of these outcomes would have possible without the team which now boasts 16 partners (5 promoted internally) an office in Brisbane and a broader team more twice the size of the original 45-person outfit who saw ‘Day 1’. Rather than simply being lucky, DeBoos credits the firm’s focus on fostering a ‘Thrive culture’, where every team member is encouraged to grow personally and professionally. “Our team’s trust and respect for each other have been our greatest strength, and in my view the secret to our success” DeBoos shared.
To those not familiar with Kingston Reid’s expertise, they partner with clients to address their most pressing workplace law concerns – navigating the issues that matter the most. The firm represents employers in all workplace-related jurisdictions across all industries, including government, construction, ports and logistics, manufacturing, utilities, retail, banking and finance, professional services, IT and health. “Our work has impacted our clients in really important ways, from large-scale industrial disputes, sensitive litigation and investigation and incidents to crafting effective employment strategies. We’ve been there in times of crisis, like helping clients navigate tragic workplace events, and in times of growth, helping them protect and build their businesses” says DeBoos.
Obviously the 5-year journey has not been without its challenges, DeBoos revealing that one of the most valuable lessons learned along the way is the importance of flexibility and resilience – ‘rolling with the punches’. “You need to accept that nothing stays the same, and you always need to adapt” DeBoos says. The desire to ‘keep on keeping on’ DeBoos largely credits to the loyalty extended by Kingston Reid’s clients and its people – “we don’t manufacture widgets, we provide insights, expertise and analysis and we’re fortunate to have the best people delivering just that”. On the firm’s future DeBoos unashamedly expects continued growth, explaining that the original vision for Kingston Reid was never just to serve the founding Partners, rather it is “about building a sustainable future and a legacy for our team – and that remains true today”. Congratulations Kingston Reid!
*Source: ABS