Wollongong lawyer Paul Hopkins is celebrating 50 years at RMB Lawyers.
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In an era where the national average tenure in a job is three years and four months Mr Hopkins has defied all employment trends.
I have always enjoyed the people that I have worked with at RMB Lawyers.
- Paul Hopkins
The former Wollongong High School student started as an articled clerk to the partners of the firm in 1965 after growing up in the Illawarra.
He then worked for another legal firm and went overseas for a while before returning home.
Mr Hopkins said the office was always at the same site.
“IMB was downstairs, RMB was upstairs and next door was Lavis Electrics when I started,” he said.
“John Brown was the senior partner by then. Alan McLelland died a few days before I started. In those days we used manual typewriters. The university was a college then.”
Mr Hopkins said he worked for RMB for half a century because it had always been such a good experience.
“I have always enjoyed the people that I have worked with at RMB Lawyers,” he said.
“The partners were always good to me. And the interaction with all the other staff and lawyers has always been positive. “I now have the opportunity to mentor the business transaction division of the firm which is gratifying to me.”
After being appointed as a solicitor in the business transactions division of the firm Mr Hopkins became an equity partner of RMB Lawyers in 1978 and retained the position for 35 years.
As a partner he had responsibility for the financial well-being of the firm which now employs over 100 people.
He also served as Chairman of Partners for many years.
RMB Lawyers managing partner Craig Osborne described Mr Hopkins as one of the most significant positive influences on the business and its development.
“He has brought a high level of skill and integrity to both the practice of law and the firm,” Mr Osborne said.
“Paul’s leadership style, strength of character and considered approach provide a great learning experience for the firms ongoing generations of leaders. Most of the business values that I have picked up as a young man have come from observing and mirroring Paul Hopkins’ behavior. In his 50 years, Paul has seen the firm evolve significantly and grow enormously. He has been integral to all of those changes and our business growth”.
Mr Hopkins said he worked part time presently but wasn’t ready to retire yet.
“I will do a little bit more as long as they would like to have me here,” he said.
Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
