Gilbert +Tobin is launching a new practice group - named the Third Sector Advisory Group - tailored to meet the legal needs of not-for-profits and charities.

The new group, to be a sub-division of the firm's corporate practice, is the brainchild of senior associate Darren Fittler. Apparently spotting the growing demand for transparency and accountability in the charitable sector - and possibly spotting a hook for him to be promoted to the letterhead - Fittler recently appeared before the board to present his case and managed to convince them to invest in the new practice group.
 

G+T staff celebrate the start of the new Third Sector Advisory Group

 
It's an unusual development because, whilst firms such as Freehills and Blake Dawson have charity law branches as part of their tax departments, very few have full time practices dedicated to the Third Sector.

The initial practice group at G+T will comprise three to four full time lawyers, and will draw on expertise from around the firm. Fittler told Lawyers Weekly "We are looking forward to building our new Third Sector Advisory Group, providing legal assistance specifically tailored for the not-for-profit sector and bringing G+T’s extensive commercial law experience and flair for innovation and strategic solutions to the sector."

It's a good precedent for an associate to have been able to launch his own specialist business within an established law firm - Bondi Beach sports and bikini injuries structured derivative securitisation practice anyone?