We’re excited to share some fantastic news — two of MST Lawyers’ Principals, Herb Fischbacher and James Sanders, have been named finalists in the 2025 Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards!
These awards recognise the very best partners and partner equivalents across the Australian legal profession. Now in its 10th year, the program shines a spotlight on the individuals who are not only excelling in their practice areas but are also helping to drive the legal industry forward.
The finalist list, announced on 28 April 2025, features over 287 high-achieving professionals across 34 competitive categories — and we’re proud to see both Herb and James representing MST Lawyers on such a prestigious national stage.
A big congratulations to:
Herb Fischbacher – Finalist for Senior Partner of the Year (15+ years)
James Sanders – Finalist for Employment Partner of the Year
About Herb and James
Herb Fischbacher is a long-standing Principal at MST Lawyers and a key figure behind the firm’s ongoing growth and success. With over 27 years of experience, Herb leads MST’s Workplace Relations team — a thriving practice known for its strategic, commercially-minded approach to employment law.
Herb’s work spans advising on workplace compliance, contracts, enterprise agreements, complex disputes, and large-scale restructures. He is trusted by some of Australia’s best-known brands, multinational corporations, and franchise networks for his ability to simplify complex issues and deliver practical solutions.
Beyond his client work, Herb has played a crucial role in building the firm’s culture. A passionate mentor, Herb believes in giving junior lawyers real-world experience early in their careers and fostering a collaborative, supportive team environment. He is also committed to community service, providing pro bono support to Ronald McDonald House Monash and backing education initiatives through his work with the Cambodia Rural Students Foundation.
James Sanders leads MST’s Employment Law team and has built a strong reputation for providing strategic, clear, and client-focused advice across the full spectrum of employment and industrial relations law.
James works with businesses across industries like retail, hospitality, aged care, and franchising, helping them navigate everything from workplace investigations and enterprise bargaining to industrial disputes and compliance challenges. His approachable style and deep technical knowledge have made him a trusted advisor to clients and a respected voice in the legal community.
James is passionate about educating and empowering employers, regularly presenting at industry events and webinars to help businesses stay on top of a fast-changing legal landscape.
A Moment of Recognition
Being named a finalist is a remarkable achievement — and it reflects Herb and James’ commitment not only to their clients but also to the broader legal profession.
As Lawyers Weekly Managing Editor Jerome Doraisamy noted:
“Being a finalist in this awards program is a huge achievement. Finalists should be incredibly proud of themselves, their teams, and everything they’ve accomplished.”
The winners will be announced at a black-tie gala event at The Star, Sydney, on Thursday, 12 June 2025.
At MST Lawyers, we couldn’t be prouder of Herb and James and the leadership, dedication, and passion they bring to everything they do. Congratulations again on this outstanding recognition — we look forward to celebrating with you both in June!
