Profile
“Being true to who we are is key; we are purely a referral-based business. There is zero marketing or advertising”
Adam Rakowski,
Ortus Financial
Bill Papastergiadis, OAM is an accomplished construction lawyer, law firm leader and highly experienced board member of numerous community and sporting organisations, government bodies and university and educational boards. He became the managing partner of Moray & Agnew Lawyers in Melbourne in 2008, and under his strategic stewardship, the office has been rated among the fastest-growing law firms in Victoria for a number of years in succession. He is also Chairman of the National Executive of the firm, which has responsibility for its strategic direction.
Bill is recognised as one of Victoria’s leading lawyers for domestic and commercial construction advice and disputes. He has been involved in the successful negotiation of numerous multibillion-dollar infrastructure and construction projects. He provides specialist services, including advice on contract design and drafting, to developers, proprietors, building companies, project managers, specialist consultants and engineering firms. He has acted for government clients for the majority of his career, in particular acting for Victorian local councils.
In addition to his legal career, Bill has long been involved in community and multicultural affairs, gained through his elected position as the President of the Greek Community of Melbourne and Victoria, a position he has held since January 2008. In 2019, he was recognised for his service to the Greek community and awarded the Order of Australia Medal.
Bill’s active involvement in many community organisations also extends to his roles as Chairman of South Melbourne Football Club, director of the Hellenic Initiative, former Chair and longstanding member of the board of Alphington Grammar School and member of the Board of the Melbourne University Humanities Foundation. He has been appointed to the boards of a number of government entities and by the Governor in Council as a Commissioner of the Multicultural Commission. He was also appointed by the Victorian Government as Chairman of the Melbourne Museum Open Horizons Exhibition.
L6, 505 Little Collins Street, Melbourne, Vic 3000
+61 3 8687 7358
bpapas@moray.com.au
linkedin.com/in/bill-papastergiadis-oam
moray.com.au
Bill Papastergiadis, OAM
Managing Partner, Melbourne
Moray & Agnew
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“You can’t control the outcome, but you can always control what version of you turns up every day”
Adam Rakowski,
Ortus Financial
2008–present
2021–present
2024–present
2019–2021
2021–present
Managing Partner at Moray & Agnew Melbourne
President of Greek Community of Melbourne, Victoria
2008–
present
Commissioner at Victorian Multicultural Commission
2021–
present
Chairman, National Executive at Moray & Agnew
Ranked in the Best Lawyers® in Australia list for Insurance Law
2024–
present
Partner and Head of the Employment Law Team at Morrison Kent
2019–
2021
Director and Principal Lawyer at Black Door Law
2021–
present
Milestones
Milestones
ELITE WOMEN 2024 JUDGE
“You can’t control the outcome, but you can always control what version of you turns up every day,” he says.
While at the helm of a rapidly growing business and a family that includes two young children at home, Rakowski has learned to manage what he calls a “never-ending list of commitments” that consists of a new team member each month, a new interstate office and two to three new referral partners monthly.
“Our business is a human business, so investing genuine time in every person can be draining on a personal level. Balancing it all is a challenge,” he says. “Simply put, do what you say you will do, and act at all times with honesty and integrity, being respectful and empathetic. The financial outcomes are a byproduct of the human interactions we have.”
Attracting, retaining and delivering exceptional client outcomes and service starts with a sincere interest in their journey and remaining relevant to them as their lives and needs evolve, notes Rakowski. He points out that he and his team put in most of the work upfront in building meaningful relationships, which is a testament to its 99% client retention rate.
He says, “We are clear in the types of clients we work best with and our value proposition. We also look for a cultural alignment with all of our referral partners, and we are acutely aware of our strengths and how different we are from our industry peers.”
Rakowski recently opened a Queensland business and plans a foot in every other capital city. He strives to establish the brokerage as a national business with on-the-ground representation in every state by the end of 2025.