Roe Legal Services has a new name: Biyara Legal. This change is part of our journey to honour our roots and deepen our respect for the lands and people of Noongar country, where our office is based.

Our firm was originally named after John Septimus Roe, Surveyor General of Western Australia and a prominent figure in the early days of the Swan River Colony. Roe was also part of the punitive expedition to Pinjarra, which led to the Pinjarra Massacre. We are keenly aware of the ways in which colonisation has affected First Nations people, and we feel it is our responsibility to reflect on this history and take action to acknowledge it.

As we move forward, we want our name to reflect our contemporary understanding and respect for First Nations peoples, along with a recognition of the deep hurt that colonisation has caused—and, in many ways, continues to inflict. By choosing the name Biyara—the Noongar word for Banksia Attenuata, a plant endemic to the southwest—we honour both our commitment to this land and our hope for a resilient and inclusive future. 

While our work extends across the country, our headquarters remain on Noongar land, and we proudly acknowledge the Noongar people as the Traditional Custodians. Our values of inclusivity, professionalism, and lifelong learning are reflected in this name change, which represents the respect we hold for the communities we serve and our ongoing commitment to growth.

As lawyers, we are aware of our privilege and our ability to be leaders in the reconciliation space. We hope this name change will spark meaningful conversations and reflection as part of Australia’s broader journey of truth-telling and reconciliation. This is a journey we wish to take together, reflecting on the past while moving forward in unity.