About the Firm

Maurice Blackburn acts for people who have been injured or badly treated through the actions or inactions of others.

We have expertise in cases involving workplace injury, medical negligence, road accidents injuries and asbestos. Our experience includes acting for injured people in many high profile and significant matters. For example, one of our predecessor firms was actively involved in internationally significant actions over the Dalkon Shield, Dow breast implants and the Copper 7 intrauterine device.

We also act in significant cases impacting on the community. We act in class actions for groups, individuals, shareholders and businesses who have suffered loss due to illegal corporate behaviour. Our firm recently represented gas consumers in the major class action against Esso following the 1998 Longford gas plant explosion and two-week loss of Victoria's gas supply. We also represented GIO shareholders in a landmark case action involving corporate governance issues.

As one of Australia's leading labour law firms we've acted in many high profile disputes, including acting for the Maritime Union of Australia (MUA) in its 1998 landmark dispute against Patrick Stevedores.

Through Maurice Blackburn Commercial, we also provide advice and act in commercial litigation for a wide range of union and business clients.

The values at the heart of our approach

At Maurice Blackburn we are honest, fair and committed to social justice and the rights of ordinary working people. Our experienced, empathetic team understands the complex issues faced by people who are injured or who suffer losses due to the illegal or unethical behaviour of others. We are committed to achieving just results.

A history that's at the heart of our future

Maurice Blackburn, formerly Maurice Blackburn & Co, was founded in 1919 by Maurice McCrae Blackburn. He was a distinguished lawyer and a Labor member of the Victorian and Federal Parliaments.

Maurice Blackburn is remembered for his dedication to workers' rights and his defence of underprivileged groups and civil liberties, including equal rights for women. These values are still upheld by the firm today and influence our vision for tomorrow.

In 1999, Maurice Blackburn & Co merged with Cashman and Partners to form Maurice Blackburn. The merger strengthened our expertise and experience in class actions, medical negligence, product liability, industrial and commercial law. Our more recent mergers with industrial law firms Whyburns Legal (NSW) and Gill Kane & Brophy (Victoria) have further strengthened our industrial expertise. Similarly our merger with Charlton Shearman Reid has enhanced our medical negligence practice.

In early 2006, we merged with Goldman Partners and established Maurice Blackburn Commercial. This merger has enabled us to service the needs of our clients in the union and corporate sectors.