The entire MST Lawyers team is proud to congratulate our long-time colleague, mentor and friend, Philip Colman, on receiving the Law Institute of Victoria’s (LIV) Distinguished Service Award — one of the most prestigious honours in the Victorian legal profession.
The award recognises exceptional and sustained service to the legal profession and the community. In Philip’s case, it marks the culmination of a legal career defined by excellence, integrity, and an unwavering commitment to developing others.
“Philip’s career has not only shaped our firm, but the broader legal profession. His integrity, wisdom, and service to others have left a lasting legacy.”
– Mark Skermer, Principal MST Lawyers
A Career of Influence
For more than four decades, Philip Colman has shaped the legal landscape of franchising and commercial litigation in Australia — acting in high-profile franchise disputes, advising national brands, and influencing ethical and professional standards across the sector.
Philip has spent over 45 years practising law, most of it in commercial litigation and franchising. He headed MST Lawyers’ Franchising & Litigation and Dispute Resolution & Litigation teams from 2000 to 2024 and served on the firm’s Executive Committee for more than 15 years. From 1 July 2025, he will continue to serve as Special Counsel at MST Lawyers.
An Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation since 1993, Philip has acted in numerous precedent-setting disputes involving franchising networks, shareholder matters, regulatory enforcement, and competition and consumer law. His calm, strategic approach and encyclopaedic knowledge of litigation processes made him a trusted adviser to clients and colleagues alike.
Philip was among the early pioneers at MST Lawyers who, in the mid-1980s, recognised franchising as an emerging business model and invested in building legal and regulatory expertise well before the field was formally governed. When the Franchising Code of Conduct was introduced in the 1990s, he and his colleagues were at the forefront of guiding franchisors through the new compliance landscape — helping establish MST Lawyers as a trusted national leader in franchising law.
He has provided legal guidance to some of Australia’s best-known franchise and retail brands — including over 40 years of service to Bakers Delight Holdings, where he has been instrumental in the legal strategies that helped the company grow into a world-class franchise network. “Being the trusted adviser of Bakers Delight since they started and watching and assisting them to develop into a world-class franchise network has given me a lot of pleasure,” Philip reflected. His long-standing relationship with Bakers Delight exemplifies his approach to client service — built on trust, commercial insight and a deep understanding of his clients’ businesses.
One of Philip’s most memorable professional influences came early in his career. “The mentoring I received from my Principal, Alan Roberts, during my articles in 1980 helped me establish a culture of excellence,” he said. “Working for Alan taught me the value of high standards and gave me the opportunity to develop broad ‘general practitioner’ skills that served as a foundation for everything that followed.”
Shaping the Profession
Philip’s influence has extended far beyond his own practice. He has made an enduring contribution to the development of legal standards and specialist accreditation in Victoria through his work with the Law Institute of Victoria.
He served as Chair and Member of the LIV Commercial Litigation Advisory Committee (2004–2012) and as a Member of the LIV Accredited Specialisation Board (2014–2021), helping shape policy, professional training, and ethical standards for the profession.
He also played a key role in the development of the Specialisation Scheme, helping to set the benchmark for what it means to be an Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation — a title he has proudly maintained for over 30 years.
Reflecting on how the profession has evolved, Philip observed that “with technological advances, the speed of processing work has substantially increased. Lawyers are becoming more specialised, sometimes into very narrow fields. Being able to work from home effectively has also significantly changed the legal landscape. Over time, there’s been a clear movement away from adversarial litigation towards alternative dispute resolution.”
Philip’s work has not only shaped legal outcomes but has also contributed to fairer business and franchise practices across Australia.
Practice Focus
Philip’s work has evolved alongside the changing nature of the legal profession. “Prior to 2008, I was involved in ‘front-end’ transactional work — franchise documents, leases, business sale agreements — as well as ‘back-end’ dispute work,” he explained. “Thereafter, I’ve focused on the ‘back-end’ dispute work, although I’m still often called upon to provide strategic advice to MST’s clients.”
He has derived great satisfaction from helping clients resolve complex commercial and franchise matters and achieve just outcomes. “I’ve acted for many clients who have been unfairly wronged and have derived great pleasure in achieving good results for them,” he said.
Under Philip’s leadership, MST Lawyers expanded from its franchising roots to offer a full-service legal model for franchisors — encompassing intellectual property, leasing, employment law and dispute resolution. This holistic approach continues to define MST’s value to clients today.
Mentorship and Legacy
Philip’s professional legacy is perhaps most deeply felt in the people he has mentored. A generous and patient teacher, he has supported the development of countless lawyers, law clerks and students – many of whom now hold leadership roles at MST Lawyers and throughout the profession.
“I couldn’t be prouder to see Philip recognised with the LIV Distinguished Service Award – a fitting recognition of his outstanding contribution to the legal profession. I have had the privilege of working with Philip the past 27 years starting as his junior lawyer. He has been an exceptional mentor and colleague teaching me about the law, leadership, and the importance of integrity and empathy in practice. His wisdom, humility, and generosity shaped not just my career but the careers of so many lawyers over the years who have had the privilege to work with him. His influence continues to shape the culture and values of MST Lawyers today. This recognition is so well deserved.” – Raynia Theodore, MST Principal
“We have engaged MST Lawyers for a number of years now for various franchise and commercial legal matters. I can recommend the firm and specifically Philip Colman and Tom Adamson, who both assisted recently with a litigation matter. Philip’s knowledge and insight was invaluable, and he took the time to ensure we understood each step of the process. We felt supported throughout and were very satisfied with the outcome. Keep up the good work MST team.”
– Tim Lewis, MST Client
Philip’s approach to mentoring reflects his broader philosophy on legal practice: “You never stop learning and improving. Always strive to be a better lawyer and a better member of the profession. Set high standards and don’t cut corners, even when under time pressure. Seek extra time if you need to.”
He also emphasises the importance of strong client relationships: “You need to understand and take a genuine interest in a client’s business or affairs — not just at the outset but throughout the relationship. You should be unafraid to tell a client things they may not want to hear, and equally unafraid to express your well-held opinions — after all, that’s what clients want.”
His advice for young lawyers is equally grounded and practical:
“It’s a great profession, but not an easy one. It requires hard work and sacrifice. Be open to different types of work in your early years – even if it’s not glamorous – and don’t rush to specialise in the first four years post-admission. Every experience adds to your foundation.”
Recognition and Awards
In addition to the LIV Distinguished Service Award, Philip’s professional recognition includes:
- Recognised in The Best Lawyers in Australia™ 2026 for work in Franchise Law
- Listed in Who’s Who Legal (Franchise Law) since 2010
- Long-service award from Bakers Delight Holdings (2015)
- Finalist – LIV Accredited Specialisation Achievement Awards (2014)
- Two awards from the Franchise Council of Australia for service to the franchising sector
He is also a member of the Law Institute of Victoria, the Law Council of Australia, the International Bar Association (including its Franchising Committee), and the Franchise Council of Australia
Looking Ahead
Even after more than four decades in law, Philip remains energised by the future of the profession. “The adaptation of the law with technological advances is exciting,” he said. “It’s an evolving landscape that continues to challenge and inspire.”
Philip has never sought the spotlight. But through his deep commitment to his clients, his colleagues, and the profession, he has earned it. We thank him for his exceptional service and congratulate him again on this well-deserved honour.
