Gary Hommel

Gary Hommel LL.B is an experienced adviser and executive coach, drawing on more than 25 years as
a partner and leader at global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer. 
He advises law firms on leadership and strategic challenges including:

• building strategy and winning buy-in
• improving team/people and operational performance
• cultural transformation
• growing practices and profitability 
• implementation 
• business turnaround and transformation

Gary has been described by clients as “a calm and intelligent character who cuts through
complexity”, with “strong commercial acumen”. 

Leveraging his experience as a team-focused leader, practice builder and trusted advisor to leading
players in the market, Gary is an accredited coach to leaders, partners and associates at leading law
firms; he coaches on a range of challenges including:

• leadership/strategy
• achieving promotion and consolidating newly promoted positions
• business development and practice building
• self-belief and imposter syndrome
• professional relationships/dealing with challenging people dynamics and conflict
• stress/time management and balance

Gary is down-to-earth and straight forward.  He helps coachees work out what is important to them and to recognise their inherent strengths, as well as honestly to accept where they need to challenge themselves; and to use that knowledge to help them address issues. His coaching is grounded in pursuing and implementing practical outcomes.

Before joining Edge International, he led the turnaround of a material part of the firm (latterly as Managing Partner) at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer (being directly responsible for 40 partners and their teams in different jurisdictions), building the strategy, driving smart business development and improving cultural, financial and people performance; this resulted in consistent year-on-year profit growth. He has a track record in team building, implementation and achieving tangible traction.  He was also instrumental in building and growing a practice area from a near standing start to become one of the leading practices in the market. His long practical experience and track record well equips him in both his advisory and coaching work.