Our Story
Our Approach
We work hard to earn our client’s respect. Combining our legal minds and local smarts, we take a human approach to advice that's free from jargon and sometimes sweetened with home-made sponge cake. It’s how we jam here at Sewells and it’s why we like to think we’re a renowned country law firm... good people, helping good people.
A Brief History
Our firm began in Colac as a branch office of Harwood & Pincott in about 1890, run by WG Sewell. It became Sewell and Sewell in about 1920, run by Cedric Sewell. In 2001, the practice took over another local firm, Larkins McCarthy. Traditionally, Sewells represented the Protestant families and Larkins McCarthy the Catholic families. So, the names were combined to create cohesion and bring the client base together. The firm then became SLM Law in 2006, in a bid to modernise. As you probably know, our Colac office is quite prominent and its corner position on the main street is still known as "Sewells Corner". So, in a move to embrace our legacy but with a fresh foot forward, we're thrilled to now call ourselves Sewells Lawyers, accompanied with a fresh brand that reflects who we are and what we believe in.
Our why
People are at the heart of what we do.
For more than a hundred years and counting, having a positive influence on people’s livelihoods has been at the heart of our legacy. It’s why we work as hard as we do and it’s why we have so many respected relationships. Our clients are like family to us. It’s what ultimately drives us to go the extra mile and share in a face-to-face smile.
Our Values — Our Values —
Our Values — Our Values —
Our Values — Our Values —
Our Values — Our Values —
Our Values — Our Values —
Our Values — Our Values —
Our Values — Our Values —
Our Values — Our Values —
Our Values — Our Values —
Our Values — Our Values —
Our Values — Our Values —
Our Values — Our Values —
Trust
Nurtured with our hard work and keeping to our word, we care about doing as we say. Often going (and driving) the extra mile to find a better way to construct a case or collaborate with our clients on the land.
Respect
We regard respect as the ultimate achievement, and so we strive to continually earn it from our clients, our team and our rural communities. We know our reputation is only as good as our last case.
Approachability
We’re humans who highly value being easy to connect with and reach out to. We want our clients to feel comfortable to pick up the phone for a chat without fear they’re going to be charged for each and every minute.
Fairness
We're a legal voice representing our rural communities. We advocate passionately for fairness and to be rightfully heard amongst policy makers and noise from city firms. And we’re proud of it.