“Dispensing justice”: Melbourne lawyers’ tribute to the California Highway Patrol

Whether it be in or out of court, respect for the law is something local lawyers Robert McHugh and Simon Bacon have in common, as personified by their shared appreciation for these stunning Moto Guzzi police bikes.

Made famous in California during the 1970s, the cruiser motorcycles became a symbol of the Los Angeles Police Department after Moto Guzzi won the tender for the supply of the vehicles over Harley-Davidson.

Eventually, they became the vehicle of choice for other police departments, including the California Highway Patrol – as immortalised in the television series CHiPs between 1977 and 1983. 

The story of Moto Guzzi in Californian law enforcement, as told through the highway patrol officers in CHiPs, is one which has always resonated with Mr McHugh and Mr Bacon who each own one today. 

And while their roles as family and child support lawyers see them uphold the law in a courtroom, their motorcycles serve as a reminder of the sacrifice made by those enforcing it on the streets. 

“In CHiPs, you had these two guys cruising up and down the byways and highways of California dispensing justice,” Mr McHugh told North West City News. “Effectively, you had these two cops arresting villains, stopping murders, arresting bank robbers.”

“They became the police bikes of choice in California after a very brave Chief Commissioner of Police actually cancelled the orders for Harley-Davidson police bikes and employed Moto Guzzi instead.”

“There are very few lawyers who ride motorcycles, but I've always loved them – I think they’re fabulous and there are many parallels we like to draw between them and our roles in the justice system!” 

While the pair operate separate firms, Mr McHugh under his own name at 446 William St, West Melbourne, and Mr Bacon as managing director of Manby & Scott Child Support Lawyers at Normanby Chambers, 430 Little Collins St, Melbourne, they have formed a partnership built on symbiotic referral of cases and long-standing respect.

Mr McHugh, a senior accredited family law specialist, and Mr Bacon, one of the country’s eminent practitioners in child support law, have nearly 80 years of combined experience representing and supporting families in some of their most challenging times.

For more information: mchugh-law.com.au and childsupportlawyers.com.au •