Brightstone Legal and Bedfords Legal Announce Merger

Brightstone Legal is pleased to announce its merger with respected Canberra law firm Bedfords Legal, effective 1 September 2026, marking an important step in Brightstone's continued growth and establishing a permanent presence in the Australian Capital Territory.

Under the merger, Bedfords Legal will become part of Brightstone Legal while continuing to operate under the trusted Bedfords Legal brand from its existing office in Woden, Canberra.

The merger brings together two firms with complementary strengths and significantly expands Brightstone Legal’s capabilities in Wills & Estates, Estate Planning, Estate Litigation, Succession Planning and Private Client Advisory, while providing Bedfords clients with access to Brightstone’s broader legal teams and capabilities across Sydney, Melbourne and Canberra.

A recognised Canberra private client practice

Bedfords Legal has built a longstanding reputation in the Canberra legal market, particularly in wills and estates, succession planning and private client matters.

The firm’s standing has been recognised by leading independent legal directories. Bedfords Legal is currently ranked by Best Law Firms – Australia 2027 as:

Tier 1 – Trusts and Estates, Canberra
Tier 1 – Wealth Management / Succession Planning Practice, Canberra
Tier 2 – Commercial Law, Canberra
Tier 3 – Real Property Law, Canberra

The firm and its lawyers have also received recognition over a number of years from Doyle’s Guide in the ACT wills, estates, succession planning and estate litigation categories.

The merger brings this established capability into Brightstone Legal and represents a significant development of the firm’s private client and succession practice.

Mark Tigwell joins Brightstone Legal

As part of the merger, Mark Tigwell joins Brightstone Legal, bringing more than 34 years of experience practising law in Canberra.

Over his career, Mark has advised thousands of individuals, families and business owners and has developed longstanding relationships with clients across generations. His practice spans Business and Commercial Law, Estate Planning, Deceased Estate Administration, Trusts and Estates, Property, Succession Planning and Private Client Advisory.

Mark’s experience has been independently recognised by The Best Lawyers in Australia™ since 2022, across a number of practice areas including Commercial Law, Leasing Law, Real Property Law, Trusts and Estates, and Wealth Management / Succession Planning Practice.

He has also been recognised by Doyle’s Guide in Canberra’s Wills, Estates & Succession Planning and Wills & Estates Litigation categories.

Mark is known for his practical, straightforward and results-focused approach to legal advice and for building enduring relationships with his clients. Some of those relationships have continued across multiple generations of the same families and businesses.

Continuity for Bedfords clients

Also joining Brightstone Legal from Bedfords Legal is Kelly Huskisson, who joins as a Paralegal and will continue to support Mark and Bedfords clients across Wills & Estates and Estate Planning matters.

Importantly, the merger has been structured to preserve the relationships and local service that have been central to Bedfords Legal.

The Bedfords Legal name and brand will continue, and the practice will remain at its Woden office. Existing clients will continue to receive the familiar, personal service associated with Bedfords, now supported by the resources and broader capabilities of Brightstone Legal.

Stronger together

For Brightstone Legal, the merger represents more than geographic expansion.

Wills & Estates, Estate Planning and Private Client Advisory have been areas in which Brightstone has been seeking to develop a deeper specialist capability. The addition of Bedfords Legal provides an established platform from which to grow these areas, supported by decades of Canberra experience and recognised expertise.

At the same time, Bedfords clients will gain access to Brightstone Legal’s wider teams across areas including Corporate & Commercial, Property, Litigation & Dispute Resolution, 家庭法, Criminal Defence, 移民法 and other specialist legal services.

The combined firm will be able to draw on lawyers and resources across 悉尼, 墨尔本 和 堪培拉, while maintaining the local knowledge, accessibility and trusted relationships that have defined Bedfords Legal.

The merger reflects Brightstone Legal’s broader strategy of building a modern Australian law firm that combines strong local practices with national capability, commercial thinking and technology-enabled legal services.

We are delighted to welcome Mark, Kelly and the Bedfords Legal practice to Brightstone Legal and look forward to building on the strong foundations established by Bedfords in Canberra.

铭石律师（Brightstone Legal）
Sydney · Melbourne · Canberra