IT’S TIME!!!
This was the slogan that the Australian Labour Party (as it was then known) used in the 1972 Election campaign when it surprisingly gained government after 23 years of a conservative Liberal-Country Party coalition in political control.
They became heady times in the history of Australia, and especially as it became the beginning of the era of the change in Family-Matrimonial law.
I entered my final year of law at Monash University in 1973 and commenced Articles at Messrs. Herbert Turner & Davis in 1974.
In 1973 three of my school mates who were also studying law – Sam Chizik, Alan Rochman and Joe Katz – took over the operation of the St. Kilda Legal Aid and Advice Bureau which enhanced our legal education and training through interacting with the volunteer solicitors and barristers who attended on Monday or Wednesday evenings to provide advice to locals.
The Legal Aid and Advice Centres of that time-Fitzroy Legal Service, Springvale Legal Service and St. Kilda – were the embodiment of the inbuilt “pro-bono” element of a lawyer’s being.
The Labour government lasted until the Double Dissolution of 1975-one of the most astounding events in Australia’s history.
At the end of 1975 the Family Law Act had been enacted to commence in January 1976. These were unchartered waters as it was not clear what would happen to this newly established forward thinking and far-reaching Court under a conservative government. History tells us that there was much more to come in the history of family and relationship law – driven by changes in technology, the world, financial systems and Australian society.
So began my career in law at one of the most exciting times in the political and legal modern history of Australia.
I give this potted background as I now approach the culmination of over 50 years in the law.
Much has happened in that half century, and it appears that much more will happen that will surprise and astound us.
As Bob Dylan sang in 2000, Things have Changed (featured in the film “Wonder Boys”), which echoes his pivotal song of 1963 – The Times they are a changin’.
It’s time.
I will retire from practice on 30 June 2025, leaving the firm of Dignity.EDR and Dignity.Legal in the capable hands of my son Leon Berger, and the superlative team of Athanasia Balaskas, Tina Santavas, Melissa Eagleton and Margy Nixon.
It’s time!!!!!
My thanks and respect go out to everyone I have met, interacted with, was opposed to and worked with in my professional life.
Berger Berger
Director and co-Founder
Dignity.EDR | Dignity.Legal