Philip Colman retires after more than 46 years in legal practice

After 46 years in legal practice, former Principal Philip Colman is retiring from legal practice. 

There are people in a career who leave a mark not through grand gestures, but through consistent, quiet investment in those around them. Philip is one of those people.

Since joining MST Lawyers in 1983, Philip has built an outstanding career as a franchising and commercial litigation lawyer, trusted adviser and respected leader. Over more than 37 years with the firm, he has helped shape its growth, mentor generations of lawyers and earn the respect of clients, colleagues and the broader legal profession.

Although Philip is retiring from legal practice, the values that have defined his career – and the people he has mentored – will continue to shape MST Lawyers for many years to come.

Helping build MST Lawyers and the profession

Philip joined MST Lawyers in 1983 (when the firm was known as Egan, Lobb & Walker).

Working alongside a group of entrepreneurial partners, he helped grow the firm into the respected practice it is today. Along the way, he developed not only as a lawyer but also as a business leader, recognising that running a successful law firm requires more than technical legal expertise.

“You’re not just practising law, reading cases and giving legal advice. You’re understanding how a business runs and what the imperatives of that business are.”

While Philip built a highly respected commercial litigation practice, he also played a significant role in establishing MST Lawyers as one of Australia’s leading advisers and thought leaders in the franchising sector. Over many years, he advised local and overseas franchisors and franchisees across a broad range of industries, spoke at legal symposia at franchise conferences in Australia and overseas, and developed long-standing relationships throughout the industry. His practical, commercially focused advice earned the trust of many of Australia’s best-known franchise systems.

His contribution extended beyond individual client matters. 

Through his work in the franchising sector, Philip helped strengthen one of MST Lawyers’ defining practice areas and played an important role in building the firm’s global reputation.

Beyond the firm, Philip also made a significant contribution to the legal profession. He served for many years on the Law Institute of Victoria’s Commercial Litigation Advisory Committee before joining the Accredited Specialist Board, helping promote excellence and specialist accreditation within the profession.

The trusted adviser

For Philip, practising law has always been about more than solving legal problems.

It’s not just a matter of receiving instructions, doing the job, sending a bill and getting paid. You need to understand their businesses. You need to go and visit them.

If you ask Philip’s clients what they valued most, they rarely talk about winning cases. They talk about his honesty, practical advice, responsiveness and the confidence he gave them to navigate difficult decisions. Many of those client relationships spanned decades because clients knew Philip would always make time for them and give them clear, considered advice.

The mentor colleagues remember

One of Philip’s defining qualities has always been his generosity with his time and knowledge.

Whether it was reviewing a difficult piece of drafting, talking through a complex matter or simply taking the time to encourage a younger lawyer, Philip was always willing to help. He believed that developing great lawyers required more than technical expertise—it required trust, patience and leading by example.

“You’ve got to care for your people.”

He encouraged younger lawyers to take ownership of their work while maintaining the highest professional standards.

“Setting examples involves working hard and ensuring that the work that you do is accurate.”

For Philip, leadership was never just about achieving results. It was about creating a culture where people felt respected, supported and able to grow.

“Care and respect because the bottom line will take care of itself.”

Looking to the future

Over more than 46 years in legal practice, Philip witnessed enormous change in the profession, from hard-copy mail and fax machines to email, digital communication and, more recently, artificial intelligence.

While technology will continue to reshape the way lawyers work, Philip believes the fundamentals of good legal practice remain unchanged.

“I would hope that AI doesn’t become a tool for cutting corners.”

For Philip, careful thinking, sound judgement and genuine commercial understanding will always be at the heart of great legal advice.

Looking to the next generation of lawyers, his advice is equally timeless. He encourages young practitioners not to specialise too early, believing that broad legal experience provides the strongest foundation for a successful career.

He also believes that the qualities of a successful leader, including building client relationships, understanding business and managing people, are learned through experience, not at law school.

A lasting legacy

In recognition of his outstanding contribution to the legal profession, Philip was awarded the Law Institute of Victoria Distinguished Service Award, one of the Institute’s highest honours.

Philip’s influence extended well beyond the walls of MST Lawyers. Through his work with clients, the Law Institute of Victoria, the franchising sector and the broader legal profession, he helped shape both the people and industries he worked alongside.

One of Philip’s greatest contributions to MST Lawyers has been the people he helped develop. His legacy isn’t measured only in successful matters or decades of practice, but in the lawyers he mentored, the confidence he built in others and the values he passed on to the next generation.

A smooth transition for Philip’s clients

Over the past few months Philip has worked closely with colleagues to ensure a smooth transition for his clients.

Raynia Theodore will continue supporting Philip’s clients across their commercial and franchising matters, drawing on the close working relationship she built with Philip over many years. Clients can expect the same expertise, attention and practical guidance they’ve come to rely on, with continuity in how their matters are understood and managed.

Mark Skermer has assumed leadership of MST Lawyers’ Dispute Resolution & Litigation team. Mark and the broader team will continue to support clients through litigation and dispute resolution matters, including mediations and alternative dispute resolution, insolvency and restructuring matters and franchising, property, leasing and other commercial disputes.

Clients can expect the same depth of experience and responsiveness they’ve come to rely on from Philip, backed by the full resources of the Dispute Resolution & Litigation team.

Clients are welcome to reach out to Raynia or Mark directly for advice.

Together, they remain committed to providing the practical, commercially focused advice and continuity of service that Philip’s clients have come to expect.