Greenway: forging ahead

Sydney's newest chambers with bold ambitions ... Generous open spaces ... Seeking engagement with the wider world ... Feature laden fit-out ... Francis Greenway - an inspiration and a cautionary example  

Greenway Chambers: looking down on Francis Greenway's rooftops - the old Supreme Court, St James and the Barracks

JUST about 200 years ago Governor Macquarie appointed the convict cheque forger Francis Greenway as government architect. 

His first assignment was the lighthouse at the entrance to Port Jackson on South Head. Such was the triumph of that project that he was emancipated by Macquarie and went on to design many a splendid thing, including Hyde Park Barracks, St James Church in King Street and, next door, the original Supreme Court. 

Despite these successes, life did not unfold smoothly for Greenway. He fell out with Macquarie over fees charged while he was retained by the government and later he was dismissed by Governor Brisbane. 

His work did not prosper and by 1835 he was destitute again and had to solicit "patronage from his friends and the public". He died of typhoid in 1837 and is buried at Maitland in an unmarked grave. 

Sydney's newest and possibly most strikingly designed set of chambers right opposite the old Supreme Court takes its name, not from a grand figure of the law but, from this bankrupt convict.  

Images of his draftsmanship and his buildings are very much to the fore in the artwork that adorns these chambers - stretching over three stories on the corner of King and Elizabeth Streets. 

After the right building was located, offering a 10+10 years lease, the project took two years to complete, driven by a handful of barristers, including Ian Roberts SC, Richard Sergi, Frank Corsaro SC, Derek Hand, Kellie Edwards, Ingmar Taylor SC, Lucas Shipway and Ben Bradley. 

Siren Design was commissioned to do the fit-out, coming with the pedigree of interiors for Facebook Singapore, Google Melbourne, Accenture Sydney, Twitter Singapore, Lonely Planet Melbourne, and BNY Mellon Sydney. 

A wide staircase links the three floors with between 10 to 12 barristers on each deck - about 31 in all.

The idea is to open the chambers to the city, with space for functions, events and launches. There's an in-house cafe, an encouragement for barristers to stop hibernating, to emerge from their caves and get to understand each other's practices. 

There's a program of CPD seminars, some of which are live streamed to selected law firms. Last month Greenway hosted an Arbitral Women Seminar, with the London-Sydney barrister Rashda Rana SC, also streamed to Perth, Brisbane and Melbourne. 

For enthusiasts of "work-life balance" there's a Friday yoga club with an in-house instructor - free for solicitors and other members of the bar. The chambers also hosts a cycle club which participates in the Gong Ride and the forthcoming Bobbin Head Classic. 

O'Hehir: pushing the boundaries

Greenway's foundation clerk is Tobias O'Hehir, who previously clerked at 9 Wentworth and Maurice Byers. He's a UTS graduate in communications and had just completed his LPAB. Assistant clerk is Nathan Dobbie, another communications graduate, who came from Tenth Floor Chambers in Phillip St. 

The communications experts in the nerve centre are the clue to Greenway's polished level of engagement with the profession and reptiles of the press.  

Justinian enquired about the head of chambers, only to be advised that Greenway has a "democratic structure" - but the most "senior member" is former Family Court judge Stephen O'Ryan QC. 

The chambers has a strong tilt towards building and construction work; plus briefs who ply their trade in commercial; industrial and employment; common law; and fittingly, land and environment - along with boutique areas such as transport and sports law. 

There are five mediation rooms and seven accredited mediators. 

A significant number of the foundation members migrated from State Chambers, with others from 6,7,9 and 10 Wentworth, Denman and Blackstone.  

Flexible arrangements have also attracted door tenants and associate members. 

Greenway has a company title, shareholder structure, beginning life in February, with the ribbon officially cut in August. 

It's still early days, but O'Hehir says he's keen to push the boundaries of what a set of chambers can be. He says the indications have been encouraging and he's looking to the next phase of building a solid base for Greenway's future - no doubt hoping not to emulate Francis Greenway's economic track record. 

Certainly, it's a bold and brave investment at a time of uncertainly for much of the bar. 

See: Greenway Chambers