Bill Papastergiadis OAM has been recognised as a Law Firm Leader of the Year by Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer industry publication, following an 18-month search for the most influential figures in the legal industry.
The Melbourne-based Managing Partner and Chair of the National Executive at Moray & Agnew was one of five standout performers, selected for his leadership, vision, problem-solving skills, and legal expertise.
Chris Sweeney, Managing Editor for Special Reports at Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer, praised the high calibre of nominees, “The standard of nominees was extremely high and showcased how deep the industry’s talent pool is.”
He added that Papastergiadis was recognised for “his leadership, vision and outstanding ability to problem-solve for clients.”
Speaking to Neos Kosmos, Papastergiadis described the award as “an honour,” adding, “It comes after 34 years of practice.”
Offering advice to emerging professionals, he said, “Success is not immediate—it comes from persistence and dedication with a focus on professionalism.”
He emphasised the importance of interpersonal skill, “Equally, our capacity to relate to others is a key element to all of this. Without the ability to build relationships, we are hampered in professional and personal lives.”
Transforming Moray & Agnew
Since taking on his leadership role in 2007, Papastergiadis has overseen significant growth at Moray & Agnew, the firm has expanded from five partners to 30 and grown from 10 staff members to over 200.
The publication underscored his “vision and leadership” in transforming an insurance-focused firm into a more diversified practice, where 50 per cent of lawyers now work across commercial areas such as corporate, property, construction, government, workplace, and litigation.
Papastergiadis credited his colleagues, saying, “This recognition is not just for me, but for the incredible team at Moray & Agnew who work tirelessly every day to deliver exceptional legal service.”
The firm has also earned recognition in this year’s Legal 500 Asia Pacific Directory, ranking among Australia’s top firms in construction, real estate, insurance, employment, and dispute resolution.
Championing diversity and community
Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer also commended Papastergiadis for fostering organic growth within the firm by prioritising diversity and gender equality. Currently, 65 per cent of Moray & Agnew’s workforce are women, with female lawyers comprising 59 per cent of the legal staff.
Beyond the legal sector, Papastergiadis remains an advocate for multiculturalism. He serves as President of the Greek Community of Melbourne and was awarded the Order of Australia Medal (OAM) in 2019 for his contributions to the Greek Australian community.
Encouraging young professionals to engage in community service, Papastergiadis said, “All young people should incorporate a community programme into their working lives. It broadens their view of the world and allows them to better adapt to an ever-changing environment.”
“We are citizens of the world, and this is no more evident than in our multicultural Melbourne,” he added.
“We cannot isolate our work life from being contributing members of society.”
