Richard left Edinburgh University in 1988. By 1990 he was running two branch offices in Scotland. He then replaced one of the partners of that firm approximately two years later in the practice’s Court Department.

Richard established Bannerman Solicitors, commencing practice on his own on 1 April 2005. The firm has significantly grown since then, now employing seven other solicitors.

From the outset, Richard has undertaken work for both private and legally aided clients. When establishing Bannerman Solicitors, Richard made a commitment to undertake a large proportion of Legal Aid work. Bannerman Solicitors has been in the top five law firms providing services to legally aided clients on family law matters for the last five years and being the largest provider of Legal Aid assistance to family law clients for a number of years.

Richard continues to provide representation at the Family Court of Western Australia, the Perth Children’s Court and the Perth Magistrate’s Court.

Richard represents parties in all aspects of family law – through negotiations, in mediations, throughout proceedings up to and including representation at trial. Richard particularly enjoys the challenges and advocacy that is associated with trial work. Richard would complete around 20 Family Court trials each year as well as Restraining Orders, Inquests as well as Children’s Court trials, sometimes on instructions from DCPFS. Richard also maintains an interest in representing clients in criminal matters.

Throughout his period of practice in Australia, Richard has been appointed as an Independent Children’s Lawyer on more than 200 occasions, making him one of the most highly experienced Independent Children’s Lawyers in Perth.