For Ian Blackman, the decision to specialise solely in rural law was one which raised a few eyebrows.
Some of his colleagues thought he was crazy, but fast-forward more than a decade to today with a base of rural clients stretching from the top of the North Island to the bottom of the South, he knows the decision was the right one.
It's been backed up by Blackman Spargo again being named as a finalist in the New Zealand Law Awards for the best boutique law firm.
They've won or been named finalists in the awards every time they've entered, something Mr Blackman said proved the decision to concentrate on rural law was the right one.
"Rather than being a jack of all trades we decided to be a master of one."