Firms and organisations

5 December 2011
By NZLS

NZLS Waikato Bay of Plenty branch celebrates centenary

The Waikato Bay of Plenty branch of the Law Society celebrated its centenary with a very successful dinner on 10 November 2011. Held at the Claudelands Events Centre, the dinner attracted 120 people, including former practitioner and now Hamilton Mayor Julie Hardaker. The current branch President Bruce Hesketh, Members of Parliament, High Court ... More about NZLS Waikato Bay of Plenty branch celebrates centenary.

18 November 2011
By Rachael Breckon

Preston Russell works for Southland community

The term pro bono literally means “for the public good” and for Southland firm Preston Russell that requires building a stronger community. Crown Solicitor and Preston Russell partner Mary-Jane Thomas literally takes a grass roots approach to pro bono work. At the time of the interview, she was awaiting surgery ... More about Preston Russell works for Southland community.

18 November 2011
By Hannah Grant

Volunteers are vital to community law centres

Community Law Centres rely on thousands of pro bono and volunteering hours a year. For the 2010/2011 financial year, the New Zealand Community Law Centres’ collective volunteer hours totalled 20,562 (a nominal value of $1,521,588). 40% of those volunteer hours were spent on providing legal advice and another 34% on legal information. Along with the ... More about Volunteers are vital to community law centres.

15 August 2011
By Hannah Grant

Burke Melrose largest female law partnership

The largest female law firm partnership in New Zealand is Burke Melrose in Auckland. “We are quite excited about this,” says Helen Melrose, one of the two founding partners of the four-partner firm. Michelle Burke and Helen Melrose started their practice in 1995, with the addition of partners Gill Goodwin in 2003 ... More about Burke Melrose largest female law partnership.

1 July 2011
By NZLS

New Zealand Law Society Presidents

The New Zealand Law Society has had an elected President since 1897. The following list shows all Presidents and their years of office (knighthoods and honours conferred after their presidency are not shown): Walter Scott Reid 1897 – 1902 Francis Henry Dillon Bell KC 1902 – 1918 Charles Perrin Skerrett KC 1918 – 1926 Alexander Gray KC 1926 – 1934 Charles Herbert Treadwell 1934 – 1935 ... More about New Zealand Law Society Presidents.

14 February 2011
By NZLS

Capital's CLC celebrates 25th birthday

Wellington Community Law Centre, the second oldest in the country, celebrated its 25th birthday on 8 November 2006. Nearly 60 people attended the celebration, which combined reminiscences about the past with the centre's annual general meeting. Even though the Grey Lynn centre was already well under way in Auckland, the group of ... More about Capital's CLC celebrates 25th birthday.

14 February 2011
By NZLS

Sharp Tudhope celebrates 110 years

Tauranga firm Sharp Tudhope Lawyers has good reason to party, celebrating its 110th birthday on 7 September 2006. On that date in 1896 solicitor Henry Sharp opened a small legal practice in Spring Street, becoming Tauranga's first solicitor. "Though I believe there was some gentleman practising law in Tauranga before the ... More about Sharp Tudhope celebrates 110 years.

14 February 2011
By NZLS

Long-awaited story of the law in Nelson

The long-awaited history of the Nelson District Law Society, Beyond the Maungatapu, was launched at the new Nelson Provincial Museum on 24 November. Some 60 people attended the launch of the work, which took 17 years from its conception to its final arrival. "I think we can all be proud of the ... More about Long-awaited story of the law in Nelson.

14 February 2011
By NZLS

Mangere Community Law Centre celebrates 20 years

Mangere Community Law Centre had a double celebration on 29 September 2006. Not only did the centre move into new premises, it also celebrated 20 years of operation. The day began when Justice Minister Mark Burton opened the new premises at 9am. Then the centre hosted two meals as part of its 20th ... More about Mangere Community Law Centre celebrates 20 years.

14 February 2011
By NZLS

Lawlink still raising standards 20 years on

With law firms continuing to play a leading role in communities throughout New Zealand, it is important that standards of practice keep being advanced through training and the adoption of best practices, according to Nigel Stirling, who chairs the Lawlink network. He made his comments after the group’s 20th ... More about Lawlink still raising standards 20 years on.

14 February 2011
By NZLS

Auckland law firm celebrates 100 years

A new award open to one of Auckland's top art students, a celebratory dinner and the launch of a history of the firm and its city – these are the three main ways Glaister Ennor has celebrated its centenary in 2007. Its clients will benefit from the third initiative. In early ... More about Auckland law firm celebrates 100 years.

14 February 2011
By NZLS

Duncan Cotterill celebrates 150 years

Duncan Cotterill is marking a century and a half of practising law. What is planned to be a year celebrating the firm's 150th anniversary began on 18 October 2007 with the launch of a book entitled Duncan Cotterill, The History of a Law Firm 1857-2007. Written by Don Hamilton, the book ... More about Duncan Cotterill celebrates 150 years.

17 November 2010
By Fionnuala Kelly

Te Hunga Roia Hui a Tau 2009

The 2009 Te Hunga Roia Maori o Aotearoa Hui-A-Tau (Maori Law Society conference) was held from 3-6 September 2009 at Owae Marae in Waitara, Taranaki. The hui theme “Kei te pakanga ke te matamata o taku arero hei taonga ma nga whakatupuranga … Ko ratou hei kainoho i te rangatiratanga” translates into English ... More about Te Hunga Roia Hui a Tau 2009.

17 November 2010
By NZLS

Te Hunga Roia Hui a Tau 2010

Te Hunga Roia Maori o Aotearoa held its 22nd Hui a Tau in Wellington in September 2010. After a powhiri at the Pipitea Marae the venue moved to the Old High Court room of the Supreme Court for the final of the national Maori moot. The moot topic was a complex ... More about Te Hunga Roia Hui a Tau 2010.