You would by now have seen our new look, which was launched earlier this year. This was a major change since our firm’s inception 40 years ago and we are pleased at the positive reception our fresh new branding has received.

As part of our new branding we re-launched an innovative and informative website. www.tgb.com.au includes short video links to each of our areas of law and monthly news stories about our firm. We have included new profiles detailing each of our lawyers’ capabilities which will be available on-line. To complement our new look keep an eye out for our new marketing campaign which will commence around Adelaide this month. Full details will be in our next issue of TGB Hearings.

TGB is the Number 1 Law Firm in Adelaide - in the fitness category! On April 3 TGB staff battled it out in the 'Burn the Fat Challenge' to raise money for the Julian Burton Burns Trust.

Tindall Gask Bentley Partner, Tim White, lay down the challenge completing 8km on a running machine over a 30 minute period while Nicole Bichard and Jenny Mann clocked-up 50kms on stationary bikes (Jenny, Tim and Nicole pictured). With the support of a loud and enthusiastic TGB cheer-squad, the TGB team were the eventual winners beating Minter Ellison, Johnson Winter Slattery and Piper Alderman in the legal battle. The money raised from a variety of corporate groups in the Burn the Fat Challenge will assist in the ongoing prevention, care and research of burns injuries.

Our lawyers definitely don't fit into stereotype profiles as often attributed to the legal profession. You would be forgiven if you haven't witnessed personal injury partner, Tim White, donning lycra and pounding the streets of Adelaide. Whilst most of us snooze peacefully in bed, Tim is witnessing the sunrise at the beach or in a park around town clocking-up the kilometres in training for his next marathon.

The transition to a serious runner in the last 4 years was a natural step for a man with a passion for sport and a school background in cross-country running. His motivation is gained by meeting a diverse group of people through his marathon training group ranging in age from early 30s to early 50s and developing close bonds with these people through preparation and training, a journey that culminates in the race experience. Tim and his training group trained for 8 hours each week prior to the New York marathon late last year, an experience he recalls was about absorbing the sight and feel of the city.  The buzz of the cheering crowds, tunes of the 200 bands around the course, dizzying heights of the buildings and ambience of a city immersed in the largest road race in the world with 40,000 competitors and 1 million spectators.

Not one to rest for too long after an achievement, in May, Tim contested the Pisa marathon in Italy and now has his sights firmly focused on filling his spot in the world's oldest marathon in Boston or London. One of the bonuses of Tim's running is the opportunity to fundraise for the Julian Burton Burns Trust. Tim has a long-term connection with Julian Burton since his Adelaide school days. His running group has raised significant funds for the charity that supports children and people who have experienced major burns, a cause that is of concern to Tim as a father of two young children.

Being a partner of TGB, a hands-on Dad and a runner requires abilities in organisation and time management, as well as a very supportive wife! Tim's personal characteristics of discipline and focus are assets which ensure that clients get the best possible outcomes in a timely and effective manner.

A career highlight for Tim was when a claim he worked on for 5 years on behalf of a Vietnam Veteran was accepted by the Full Federal Court. A loss there would have meant an appeal to the High Court of Australia. Tim’s reward was getting recognition for a diagnosis of Post Traumatic Stress Disorder 4 decades after Vietnam, ensuring that his client was able to maintain his independence by living in his own home as a pensioner.

Tim has been a lawyer at TGB since 1996 when he targeted the firm because of its friendly feel and inclusive culture. When Tim joined TGB there were 8 lawyers, while today the firm has 40 lawyers and over 100 staff. As a partner, Tim's aim is to ensure that TGB's continued growth is planned and directed so we keep our outstanding reputation amongst the legal profession, and that there are clear opportunities for progression for talented young people.

The Commonwealth Government’s Fair Work Act 2009 commenced on 1 July 2009. This Act replaced the Workplace Relations Act 1996 and has created a new Industrial Relations system in Australia. The Act will apply to employers who are currently covered by the Workplace Relations Act. Generally speaking this will not include sole traders, trusts and partnerships who will continue to fall within the State system (confusingly also called the Fair Work Act!). There is some suggestion the scope of the Commonwealth Act will be extended to all employers, but as yet the South Australian government shows no sign of willingly handing over its powers to Canberra.

The Act will see ten minimum conditions of employment imported into every employment relationship covered by the Act, various existing tribunals and commissions will be replaced by a ‘one stop shop’ called Fair Work Australia (FWA), the process towards Modern Awards will continue under the new Act, and Enterprise Agreements and Unfair termination makes a bit of a comeback with employers with more than 15 employees being subject to claims.

The new laws mark a move away from individually negotiated contracts to collective agreements. The full effect will be seen in time. In the meantime, we encourage employers to review their employment arrangements to make sure they conform to the new rules, particularly the National Employment Standards. To view this full article visit www.tgb.com.au

For more information please contact Morry Bailes, Amber Sprague or Richard Yates in the TGB Workplace Law team.

Appointments are now available at our new Mt Barker office, which we opened to meet the demand for legal services in this booming residential area.

Many of the firm’s most experienced lawyers, led by Hills residents Richard and Barney Gask, will practice from the Mt Barker office at 35a McLaren Street. Legal advice will be offered across a broad spectrum of issues including injuries, business, family and wills.

TGB Managing Partner Morry Bailes enthuses “establishing the Mt Barker office is another milestone in a growth plan for our firm, which is supported by a focus on recruiting experienced lawyers to ensure that we exceed the expectations of our growing list of clients”.

“Tindall Gask Bentley is in a period of unprecedented expansion in both diversity and size, in a difficult financial climate” says TGB’s General Manager, Claudio Galloni.

Mt Barker joins the list of geographical areas serviced by the firm including Adelaide, Salisbury, Reynella, Port Lincoln, and Shanghai (China).

The Tindall Gask Bentley Drive for Life Golf Day in April raised in excess of $28,000 for Paraquad SA. Our staff joined His Excellency Rear Admiral Kevin Scarce (pictured), The Honourable Jeffrey Kennett and other guests at the event. TGB has been the major sponsor of the Tindall Gask Bentley Drive for Life since its inception 4 years ago, which has become a highlight on our firm's event calendar for both our lawyers and clients. This is much more than a great social networking event – Paraquad SA is a worthy cause with funds being raised to support those in our State who have experienced the trauma of spinal cord injuries.  For more information visit www.pqasa.asn.au