It is with a heavy heart that we write to inform our clients of the passing of Michael Hart. Mick as he was more widely known amongst his friends and colleagues passed away on Sunday 3 May with his wife Trish at his side.
Mick was a Principal of Cleary Hoare for over thirty years, and still actively involved with the firm up until his passing. He was a lawyer's lawyer - unwavering in the pursuit of excellence and always putting his clients first. Many a young (and not so young) lawyer left Mick's office with their tail between their legs after being caught short on a point of law when discussing a file.
He was also something uncommon in the law - a lawyer who had commercial common sense and real life experience of business. When you added that to his technical expertise, you had someone who was a mentor to all he worked with and a terror to opponents.
Of course, Mick wasn't just a lawyer, and aside from living a rich family life full of children and grandchildren he was actively involved in many charitable groups and organising regular reunions of his Australian Army colleagues.
He will be missed by all of us at Cleary Hoare.