BREAKING: Cullen Macleod Lawyers has officially acquired Taylor & Taylor, a boutique commercial firm, and has lured prominent Jackson McDonald partner Sally Bruce to lead its wills, estates, and succession planning division. This strategic move is designed to enhance Cullen Macleod’s influence among Perth’s elite, particularly amid ongoing high-stakes legal battles in the iron ore sector.
The acquisition comes at a critical time as legal disputes intensify between Gina Rinehart and rival iron ore magnates, including the Rhodes family and the Wright family. Currently, these affluent parties are embroiled in a contentious legal fight over billions in Pilbara iron ore royalties, generating legal fees that soar into the tens of millions annually.
At the center of this dispute is the DFD Rhodes claim, which asserts a right to 1.25 percent of royalties from the Hope Downs mining operation, managed by Rinehart’s Hancock Prospecting and Rio Tinto. The contention revolves around a disputed agreement from 1969 involving Rinehart’s father, Lang Hancock, Don Rhodes, and Peter Wright.
Cullen Macleod’s acquisition of Taylor & Taylor, first reported today, positions the firm to capture more high-net-worth clientele in Western Australia. With this integration, Cullen Macleod’s workforce now totals 36 employees, significantly bolstering its capacity to serve affluent clients in times of urgent need.
Sally Bruce joins Cullen Macleod with over two decades of experience in managing estates and trusts for wealthy families. Recognized as one of Western Australia’s top three wills and estates lawyers in the 2025 Doyle’s Guide, Bruce’s expertise is expected to elevate the firm’s position in the competitive legal landscape.
Cullen Macleod director Catriona Macleod stated, “WA clients want speed, sector fluency, and judgment. Elevating our estates leadership under Sally positions us to set the pace for the mid-market, especially when disputes escalate and decisions can’t wait.”
Michael Taylor, co-founder of Taylor & Taylor, emphasized that this acquisition allows his clients to benefit from a more extensive platform while retaining their trusted advisers. “We’re keeping the responsiveness that built our client base, with added bench strength where WA businesses most often need it,” he said.
The commercial terms of the Taylor & Taylor acquisition remain undisclosed, but it highlights the growing competition in the legal sector as Australia braces for a significant wealth transfer. The Productivity Commission anticipates a four-fold increase in inheritances by 2050.
Additionally, the WA State Administrative Tribunal reported a 16 percent rise in guardianship and administration applications in the 2025 financial year. Meanwhile, the State’s Public Trustee has examined 1,923 sets of accounts covering assets exceeding $4.1 billion this past financial year.
As legal battles intensify and wealth dynamics shift, the ramifications of Cullen Macleod’s latest moves are set to reverberate throughout Perth’s elite legal circles. Keep an eye on further developments as this story unfolds.
