Dgt Information

DG Thompson was founded in 1987 by Duncan Geoffrey ("Geoff") Thompson, BCom LLB, at a time when the legal costing industry was in its infancy. Geoff changed the industry by introducing systems to all levels of the business and by the development of an integrated computer software program to drive the systems. Geoff believed that rigorous adherence to systems produced benefits to all stakeholders: a high and consistent level of service delivery to clients, high productivity to consultants and a strong and profitable business model. Geoff pursued excellence in all aspects of the business. In doing so he completely changed industry service expectations: the company was the first to introduce guaranteed turnaround times, the first to offer a fee refund scheme and the first to value add its fees in terms of turnaround time. In addition, other aspects of the business were done differently to other firms: a high level of direct mail marketing and advertising was undertaken, dedicated client services personnel were employed, a comprehensive new consultant training program was developed and the work of new consultants was checked by senior consultants. A continuous commitment to ongoing training was also part of the organisation. Another interesting aspect of the business is that it was not run as a partnership, like a law firm, but as a corporation, with the attendant organisational and management structures involved. Within a few years of its commencement, DG Thompson had gained pre-eminence in the legal costing industry. This continued in the 1990's, a time which saw DG Thompson outgrow its Neutral Bay premises and move into the city. The decade also saw the business double in size. A major development of the 1990's was the introduction of the Legal Profession Reform Act in 1994. Prior to that Act, costs had been regulated according to archaic rules and scales and the resolution of costs disputes took place by way of a process called taxation, in front of a court registrar. The 1994 reforms were called "deregulation" but were, in fact, "re-regulation", replacing one complex system with another. Some industry participants had feared that deregulation would spell the end of the legal costing industry but, in fact, the opposite occurred. The legal costing industry evolved into a highly specialised and skilled area of the law, requiring its participants to have a growing ability to navigate complex legal and legislative problems. Part of DG Thompsons response to the increasing complexity of legal costs law and practice was to employ Michelle Castle as Director of Research in 1991. Michelle Castle graduated with Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Sydney in 1991 and was admitted as a solicitor in June 1991. From June 1992 to July 1993 Michelle practiced with Allen Allen & Hemsley as a solicitor in the Construction and Arbitration department. In July 1993 Michelle returned to work with DG Thompson. In March 2000, Geoff Thompson died suddenly. Michelle now Geoff's wife, took over the business and DG Thompson entered a period of firstly, change management, and then, consolidation. It was Michelle's vision to continue the firm's commitment to excellence and pre-eminence in the legal costing industry. However, the period of founder as leader was over and Michelle saw the need for the organisation to change and grow. In futherance of these goals Michelle sold a part interest in the company to the Phoenix Development Fund in 2003. "PDF" brought a deep knowledge of management and extensive experience in business development to the company. In May 2004 the Company acquired the business of Driscoll Matters + McDonald and was renamed DG Thompson Driscoll Matters until October 2006 when the business in all three locations was brought under the DG Thompson name.