Time for reflection

As 2019 comes to a close and we look forward to the next decade, I find myself reflecting on the past five-and-a-half years that ‘Scope Legal’ has been in business.  

Certainly, as I completed the paperwork to set up ‘TFNKASL’ (which many of you will recall was imaginatively named Chaz Dheer Legal) in mid-2014, my immediate preoccupation was whether, as a new solo practice, I’d even survive the first 12 months. Yet, half a decade later, here we are.

There’s certainly been a substantial amount of change over that time, and I’m sure you’ll agree, that ‘Scope Legal’ is a significantly snappier name. I’ve probably saved myself, my team and you all time from no longer having to type ‘chazdheerlegal.com.au’, and indeed having to spell it out over the phone – “yes, it’s Chaz with a ‘z’; no, not deer, Dheer, with an ‘h’’, and so on. 

I originally started out with some office space in Sydney CBD before deciding to move the practice to beautiful Avoca Beach back in 2015. The shorter commute was welcomed and I’m not going to lie, the ocean views were certainly a welcomed distraction when it came to long conference calls. 

Ariana Prilis, my first employee, decided to move on and pursue a career in midwifery. In my eyes, the legal sector’s loss is very much the healthcare industry’s gain – I’m sure she’ll be a great success. And, whilst I was unable to persuade her to stay in law, I can at least take some credit for her meeting her now-husband, Shaun at our office – they got married earlier this year and I wish them both a very happy future together.

After a few years of solid growth, and the realisation that I only had so many hours in the day, it was the right time to expand. I welcomed Melanie Taylor to the firm earlier this year, and also set up an office in Erina, the commercial heart of the Central Coast. Mel and I have a shared vision of providing quality financial services legal and regulatory advice to a sector that is undergoing constant change. This is something we are looking forward to bringing to more clients in 2020.

And speaking of next year, I look forward to Scope Legal establishing itself further as a preeminent commercial law practice on the Central Coast. Our beautiful region is going from strength to strength and Mel and I want to put our combined 30-plus years of legal experience to good use. Our Sydney (and elsewhere) clients have long realised that they can get first-class service from our boutique firm and we hope that others will too.

This journey, and Scope Legal as is stands today would not have been possible without the support of all of our amazing clients – it has been a pleasure working with you all and Mel and I look forward to continuing the journey with you in 2020.