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Christian Beck
CEO
LEAP Group
Christian founded LEAP more than 19 years ago and has worked with LEAP clients to develop LEAP software and services.
He is as passionate about providing great software solutions as he was when he started LEAP.
Christian is one of Australia's most experienced developers of legal applications software and it is his vision that has led to the current generation of Internet-integrated LEAP applications that are delivering unparalleled productivity, convenience and cost savings to all users of LEAP software.
"One of the key strategies of LEAP has been to constantly refine our products via client feedback. We understand that our clients are our greatest asset and our most important marketing tool. For this reason we always encourage new ideas and suggestions in order that we can make our products the best on the market.
This client feedback has meant that LEAP products are remarkably practical and user friendly. They do not contain any impractical or laborious features or operations that a person with a legal background would find difficult to understand.
The simplest way to gauge for yourself just how much LEAP can increase your productivity is to arrange an obligation-free onsite demonstration. You will find the demonstration provides a vast number of practical solutions to common legal technology problems."
Contact: christian.beck@leap.com.au |
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Richard Hugo-Hamman
Managing Director
LEAP Legal Software
After a career in law Richard has been involved in the business of legal software and legal practice management software for small law firms for more than twenty years.
He is responsible for the day to day operations of the LEAP Office division of LEAP Legal Software.
"We find that our clients want great legal software to boost efficiency and give them a competitive edge.They also want stable products and quality helpdesk support when they need it. Our team works every day to help our clients achieve these goals. We actively look for smart people to join us and we work with discipline and focus to constantly improve our software, delivery and support systems."
Contact: richard.hugo-hamman@leap.com.au
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Hunter Steele
Director
Smokeball
Hunter Steele is a technology entrepreneur who has been designing software for the Legal industry for over 10 years. Growing up within his father’s Law Firm in the country as well as receiving his first computer at the age of 15 and developing applications in Hypercard on the Mac saw Hunter’s first foray into improving the efficiency of Law Firms with technology and software.
Three quarters of the way through completing a Combined Law and Computer Science Degree at Bond University, Hunter met Christian Beck and sought some real world work experience in a software company - LEAP. After having access to real clients and being able to solve real problems with technology, Hunter moved to a full time position at LEAP and completed his degrees at nights and on weekends over the following 2 years.
Together Hunter and Christian built an online legal searching business to complement LEAP’s productivity software. Hunter, acting as the Managing Director of LEAP Searching from its inception in 2000, was responsible for building the technology and the business to over 1500 clients and 15 staff, with significant revenue, by 2009. Today LEAP Searching is one of LEAP’s largest divisions and the technology that the business is built on is the best in the market.
In 2009 Hunter moved out of the LEAP Searching division and took on LEAP’s technology investment division, which included two projects in their start up phases. The first of these was Smokeball, a game changing legal publishing business delivering practical legal content and information to lawyers in small law firms throughout Australia purely online. Secondly LEAP was initiating the development of a complete re-write of its core technology products which would be used in the International marketplace over the coming years.
"I have an active role in supporting and directing the Smokeball Management Team to design, implement and achieve our business strategy. With a software development background I take an active interest in the design of our products. It is essential that we develop world class software that is both simple and powerful, delivering high value to our users and clients.
I have two major passions and interests in my working life. I am passionate about start up companies and being involved in the early stages to take a great idea, the right people and technology, and implement strategies to ensure the business is a success.
My second passion is great software design. We work hard at LEAP to research every part of our business to ensure our software delivers outstanding results in usability and design.
I believe Smokeball is a game changer for the legal publishing industry. Being involved in the early stages of this game changing company is very exciting for not only me but the great staff we have and the law firms using our products."
Hunter is known for his enthusiasm and vision, and strives to consistently deliver benefits to the legal industry through innovation, leadership and collaborative contribution to the development of technology for small law firms.
Contact: hunter.steele@leap.com.au |
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Stephen Wood
Managing Director
LEAP Searching
In early 2010 Stephen Wood was appointed Managing Director, LEAP Searching. In this role, Stephen is responsible for the LEAP Searching business, defining the businesses future, and achieving the businesses growth aspirations.
Stephen has been working with the Legal profession throughout his 23 years in the ICT industry and brings a wealth of experience to LEAP in leveraging technology to drive business efficiency across the Legal market. This experience includes critical solutions for the Legal market such as, online information services (online searching), document & records management, business process automation, practice management, web content management based solutions, enterprise search and mobile solutions.
Stephen 23 years experience within ICT/Service organisations includes sales, marketing, operations, mergers and acquisitions and general management. Stephen's previous positions include executive roles within Alphawest (an Optus Subsidiary), Solution 6 and Lawpoint Pty Ltd and, over the years, he has developed key, multi-level relationships across the Legal profession, the broader professional services, finance, government and telecommunications industries.
Contact: stephen.wood@leap.com.au |
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David Hill
Director
LEAP Group
David has been a Director at LEAP Legal since he first joined in 2007. With over 18 years in the legal software industry, David’s extensive experience has lead to him being responsible for acquisitions and their integration into LEAP, as well as the management of subsidiary companies.
David came to LEAP from Law Perfect, the largest automated precedent software provider in Victoria, which he purchased in 1992. Whilst working there he held the position of Managing Director for 15 years, until the company was sold to LEAP in 2007.
Prior to his time at Law Perfect David was the CFO of Moran of Melbourne, Australia’s largest furniture manufacturer, where he oversaw the introduction of the use of computers to run their manufacturing systems.
David holds a Bachelor of Business.
"Being involved with LEAP has been a very exciting experience and after many years of running my own business it is great to have the opportunity to work with what I believe is the best and most experienced management team in the Legal software market today."
Contact: david.hill@leap.com.au |
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Jane Oxley
Group Marketing Manager
LEAP Group
After working at a number of law firms both large and small, Jane was one of the first people LEAP ever employed starting her career in sales and marketing for LEAP in 1998. During this time Jane helped double LEAP's client base and visited many small law firms building her knowledge of the legal industry from the inside out.
Since that time Jane has worked at a number of software and service providers in the legal industry and returned to LEAP in 2008.
Jane was until recently the General Manager of Smokeball, LEAP’s online legal publishing business and has now moved into a Group Marketing role, centralising the marketing functions of LEAP’s three
divisions.
Jane's strengths are in Strategy and Ideas. In 1999 Jane started the marketing function for LEAP, developing a distinctive marketing style that resulted in a large number of incoming leads and the beginning of LEAP’s first significant jump in client numbers. In 2008, Jane was instrumental in developing the Smokeball brand and marketing strategy including the name of the brand, the free legal forms registrant acquisition strategy, and working with providers of practical legal training to ensure newly qualified lawyers are familiar with the Smokeball brand and its offerings.
In 2010, Jane spearheaded LEAP’s forays into Malaysia, working with local Bar Associations and lawyers to establish the Smokeball brand.
"With our customer, small law firms, always in mind, I am responsible for spreading the word about LEAP and our associated businesses in Australia and international markets.
l have a strong interest in ecommerce and how new and traditional marketing methods can work together to maximum effect. I greatly enjoy learning about tools and measures that can help us maximise our success and then tailoring them to our business.”
Contact: jane.oxley@leap.com.au |
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Tony Connell
Chief Financial Officer
LEAP Group
Tony has been with LEAP since 2007 and as CFO of LEAP he has been instrumental in the financial success of the company. Tony came to LEAP from IBA Health Limited where he was Group Financial Controller; he implemented key budgeting and forecasting models and brought financial reporting to a public company. Prior to this Tony worked at York Group Limited/Plaspak Group. During his time there he worked as a Consultant and Chief Financial Officer where he implemented AIFRS, developed and wrote Corporate Governance manual and was instrumental in a successful on-market alternative takeover bid.
Tony's experience as a CFO has led him to work at large public companies, small public companies and private companies spanning across a range of different industries. He has previously worked for The Adelaide Steamship Company Limited Group, which included working for companies such as David Jones Limited, Industrial Equity Limited (“IEL”) and Tooth & Co. Limited.
Tony holds a Bachelor of Business Studies (accounting), is a Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA), a Fellow of the Corporate Institute of Secretaries and has a Commerce (Accounting Procedures)
Certificate TAFE.
Contact: tony.connell@leap.com.au |
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Sarah Johnstone
HR Manager
LEAP Group
Sarah joined LEAP in 2002 and has held various roles throughout the company. She joined LEAP with ten years experience in the legal industry, predominantly in the area of conveyancing. She has completed the Conveyancing - Law and Practice course through Macquarie University and was working as a Licensed Conveyancer with extensive experience in the property development area.
Sarah is currently responsible for providing quality support services to our divisions. Together with her team she is continually improving our people processes to ensure employee engagement and retention is at the highest possible standard.
"We believe our people are our greatest asset and we are committed to making LEAP a great place to work. This will not only benefit us and our staff but also our clients in providing the highest quality service in all areas of our business."
Contact: sarah.johnstone@leap.com.au |
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Hamid Govahi
Internal Systems Manager
LEAP Group
Hamid joined LEAP in 2010 as the Manager of Internal Systems. Hamid’s expertise in improving and modernising LEAP’s management systems, lead to him taking responsibility of managing IT within a year of starting at LEAP. Since implementing LEAP’s new customer support system in June 2011, Hamid has been responsible for core business solutions including CRM, Billing, HelpDesk, as well as all IT systems across the LEAP group of companies.
Hamid brings with him over 25 years of experience in all levels of IT, from software development to management of products and services division of ITC Companies. He has extensive international experience working in Asia Pacific, including the multi-million dollar implementation of Operational Support Systems in the region.
Prior to working at LEAP Hamid worked in a multitude of industries including Telecommunications, Finance, Marketing, Publishing, Mobile Solutions, Commercial Real Estate and Property Management. Hamid’s wealth of knowledge in these industries is combined with his understanding of management, having held various senior management positions including General Manager of Software Engineering for Powerlan and VP of Products and COO for Clarity International. He has also been involved in several M&A activities in those roles.
Hamid is passionate about new products, new markets and perfect business solutions which integrate seamlessly, excite users and expand easily.
Hamid holds a Bachelor of Software Engineering from Tehran University.
Contact: hamid.govahi@leap.com.au |
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