New managing principal takes reins

COULTER Roache has a new managing principal, with principal and head of litigation and dispute resolution, Martin Reid, stepping into the role on January 1 after 12 years with the firm.

Martin takes the reins from Tom White who, after nearly a decade in the top role, will focus his attention on managing the firm’s burgeoning Corporate and Commercial team.

Martin said the firm, which has been part of the Geelong community for over 80 years, will continue to grow and innovate under his leadership.

“It is my intention to ensure Coulter Roache is known as the law firm that provides sophisticated, concise and easy to understand legal advice in Geelong and the Surf Coast, at a reasonable price,” Mr Reid said.

“We pride ourselves on delivering our clients a top-tier standard of legal support, with the personal interaction and in-depth local knowledge expected of a regional firm.”

Martin is Torquay born and bred (apart from six years in France in his younger years) and has spent his whole life living on the Surf Coast.

His family has been part of the heart of Torquay with his father Alan part of the group who famously bulldozed a road out to Bells Beach and pioneered the Bells Beach Easter Rally (now the Rip Curl Pro) surf competition in the 1960s.

His impetus to become a lawyer came about through his first career as an electrician in large industrial construction, where he developed an interest in industrial relations; a desire to translate this interest into a meaningful career led him to start a law degree at the age of 35.

Martin spent his first few years as a lawyer with national law firm Clayton Utz in Melbourne, before returning home to Jan Juc after his wife became pregnant with their first daughter.

The father of one of his university lecturers, Mick Meagher, then a Principal at Coulter Roache, offered Martin a job in the firm’s Litigation and Dispute Resolution team in 2005.

Martin regularly advises clients, including many of Geelong’s leading private and public sector employers.

He assists employers with workplace strategies for enhancing productivity and performance, industrial disputes, unfair dismissals, award and enterprise agreement interpretation, the management of discrimination and bullying complaints and executive employment contracts.

His impressive client list includes Quiksilver, Southern Star Windows, Geelong Football Club and the TAC, all of whom count on his trusted and practical advice in order to protect their businesses.

Outside of work, Martin raises a young family and maintains a fit and healthy lifestyle.

“I’m hoping that even as managing principal, I’ll still be able to get a surf in before work at Winki Pop,” he said.