Inside HWL Ebsworth’s leadership transition and future plans
Chief executive partner Russell Mailler and CEO Kris Hopkins discuss HWL Ebsworth’s growth, lessons from a cyberattack and its new governance structure.
When HWL Ebsworth managing partner Juan Martinez passed away suddenly in 2024, it was the closest the 120-year-old firm could come to losing a founder, chief executive partner Russell Mailler told Capital Brief.
In a interview for The Firm alongside chief executive officer Kris Hopkins, Mailler discussed HWL Ebsworth’s transition to a dual-leadership model overseen by a board of partners, the lessons learned two years on from a major cyberattack by Russian hackers and why they chose not to pay a ransom.
The following transcript has been lightly edited for brevity and clarity.
What are your key learnings since taking on this dual leadership role following the passing of managing partner Juan Martinez?
Russell Mailler: When you lose a leader of Juan’s influence, where he was as close to a founder as you can have for a 120-year old professional services organisation, you really never know how the organisation is going to respond. But we couldn't have been happier with the way the partnership has embraced each other and shown an absolute commitment to protect what has made the firm incredibly successful over the years. There was a tenacious desire not to change that.
