Detailed History

DG Thompson was founded in 1987 by Duncan Geoffrey ("Geoff") Thompson at a time when the legal costing industry was in its infancy.

Geoff changed the industry by introducing systems and by the development of an integrated computer software program to drive the systems. The 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. 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 a continuous commitment was made to ongoing training. The business 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, when the business doubled in size.

With the introduction of the Legal Profession Reform Act in 1994, legal costs in New South Wales were "deregulated" however legal costs were, in fact, "re-regulated", replacing one complex system with another. 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.

Michelle Castle was employed 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. After practicing from 1992 to 1993 with Allen Allen & Hemsley as a solicitor, in July 1993 Michelle returned to work with DG Thompson.

In March 2000, Geoff Thompson died suddenly. Michelle then Geoff's wife, took over the business and DG Thompson entered a period of firstly, change management, and then, consolidation.

Kerrie Rosati, one of the firm's legal costs consultants, joined Michelle in a management role in the business from mid 2000.

Kerrie graduated with Bachelor of Laws from the University of Technology in 1988 and was admitted as a solicitor in July 1988. After working as a paralegal and solicitor with Minter Simpson and then Minter Ellison and taking time off to raise her family, Kerrie joined DG Thompson in February 1998 as a costs consultant.

A part interest in the company was sold 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. In mid 2005, the Company also acquired the business of Monsour Legal Costs in Brisbane. The Company was renamed DG Thompson Driscoll Matters until October 2006 when the business in all three locations was brought under the DG Thompson name.

In October 2007, Michelle left the business to join the Sydney Bar and Kerrie acquired Michelle's interest in DG Thompson. Kerrie is currently the solicitor director of the Company.

On 1 May 2012, we re-branded and are now known as DGT Costs Lawyers.