When former Dibbs Abbott Stillman partner Rob Bradley had the option of joining Thomson Playford Cutlers, he instead chose to join Melbourne firm Aitken Partners as a property team principal.

Initially Bradley approached a recruitment agency that assessed his ability and ideal work-life balance, and found firms that could possibly match - Aitkens was one of them.  "For me, Aitkens' attraction was the ability to bring my clients over to a firm that can service all their needs. It suited my practice better and I felt it was the right place for me. It's about who you are, who your clients are and where your market is - and Aitkens was where I saw all of that," said Bradley.

Almost all Bradley's clients have shown interest in following him to Aitkens. He has previously acted on the relocation of the Victorian private hospital, Francis Perry House, to North Melbourne, and established the legal structure for Silver Water Resort (A$80m) in the Phillip Island city of San Remo. He has also provided general commercial and business advice to clients in the manufacturing, retailing and services industries.

Other partners have also recently left Dibbs Abbott Stillman. Property partner Seamus Gunson moved to HWL Ebsworth, while telecommunication partner Paul Noonan moved to Herbert Geer.