When you meet Travis Schultz, it doesn’t take long to realise that his story isn’t just about building a successful law firm…
it’s about redefining what success looks like in an industry often driven by billboards, algorithms, and profit margins.
After selling his first firm, Schultz Toomey O’Brien, to a multinational in 2014, Travis served his transition period and then spent a few years consulting for professional service firms, helping them refine strategy and growth. But something was missing.
“I decided to set up a little boutique firm with a much narrower focus,” he says. “The plan was simple… offer fewer services, create a happy little team, and play golf every second Friday. That was the plan anyway.”
The First Mistakes
Travis underestimated the size of the gap in the market and admits his biggest mistake early on was not learning to say no. What began as a boutique firm of seven quickly grew to almost eighty people across Queensland, with offices on the Sunshine Coast, Brisbane, Gold Coast and Cairns.
His original strategy was clear: focus purely on genuine expertise in compensation law, not the mass-market model dominated by large corporate firms. “I didn’t want to compete with the big players. I wanted to be nothing like them. We aimed to deliver true industry-leading expertise at a fee structure that was 30 to 40 percent lower than the corporates, and give back to our community.”
Growth and Focus
That value proposition resonated far beyond expectation.
Today, Travis Schultz & Partners is recognised by Doyle’s Guide as one of the most awarded firms in Queensland, with more accredited specialists than any other compensation law firm in the state. Despite the accolades, Travis insists growth has never been the goal. “We’ve only grown to service the work. We’ve never grown ahead of it. The focus has always been to provide excellence to our clients, not to scale for the sake of it.” He admits the exponential growth came with challenges… scaling systems, maintaining culture, and keeping the human touch at the centre of everything. “Could we be more efficient or profitable? Sure. But at what price? Once you start dehumanising things, you lose the very expertise that sets you apart.”
People and Culture
At the heart of the firm’s success is a deep investment in its people. “It’s not just about hiring good lawyers, it’s about developing them,” Travis explains. “We over-invest in professional development. Every relevant case from the superior courts is summarised and shared with our team. We run constant training, skills sessions, and mentoring. The goal is to help as many of our lawyers as possible reach accredited specialist status.”
That approach has had an unexpected benefit. While many firms struggle to recruit and retain lawyers, Travis Schultz & Partners has a waiting list. “We attract lawyers who want to be real lawyers… those who care about complex work, not those who want to be in a sausage machine. We don’t have time sheets or six-minute billing units. It’s about fairness, expertise, and autonomy.”
Giving Back
Beyond the business, Travis’s passion for community runs deep. From founding the Wishlist Spring Carnival to hosting events like the Travis Schultz Winemakers’ Masterclass supporting SunnyKids, and serving on boards such as Lifeflight Foundation, his commitment to giving back is woven through every part of his professional life.
He smiles as he recalls the impact of these causes. “Those community achievements mean more to me than any business award. Seeing those events grow, raise hundreds of thousands for local charities, and make a real difference… that’s what I’m proudest of.”
Advice for Other Business Owners
“Remember your moral obligation to give back,” Travis says. “We all make our living from the community around us, so we should all do what we can to support it. Karma does its work… the more you give, the more you get.”
He also believes reputation is everything. “If you develop a reputation for being fair and generous, people will support you. If your reputation is selfish or short-sighted, it’ll eventually catch up with you. As business owners, we have to be deliberate about the reputation we build – something that is driven by actions rather than words.”
Biggest Lessons
When asked about lessons learned, his answer is instant. “Don’t chase the shiny new thing. Stay true to your strategy. It’s easy to get distracted by trends or new ideas, but focus and consistency will always win.” He laughs as he reflects on past decisions. “We’ve all done it… you see something new and think it’s worth a try, but if it doesn’t align with your purpose, it’s just a distraction.”
What’s Next
Looking ahead, Travis is focused on developing the next generation of legal leaders. “I’m excited to see our emerging team members grow into partners. Watching people we’ve mentored achieve that milestone is incredibly rewarding.”
He’s also optimistic about Queensland’s future. “With net migration continuing, the Olympics on the horizon, and ongoing investment across the state, there are massive opportunities ahead. The next few years are going to be exciting.”
Life Outside the Firm
“The next three years are going to be wild,” he says with a grin.
“AI is getting better… and it’s going to simplify some things while making others more complex. The real opportunity is helping businesses leverage it smartly… to work better, not harder.”
PS: I know my beard is looking a bit scrappy in the photo with Travis… I was getting ready for the Face-Off campaign that PTSD Dogs Australia was running for World Mental Health Day
