Law firm looks to be Bay-wide

Holland Beckett practice manager Sharline Fitzgerald and company partner Simon Collett. Photo / Andrew Warner

Leading Tauranga law firm Holland Beckett continues to expand, this week announcing the acquisition of Rotorua-based commercial practice McKechnie Quirke & Lewis, effective from February 1.

The move follows its acquisition of another Rotorua firm, Olphert & Associates, last year.

"Our strategic objective in this is quite simple: We need to continue to grow," said Holland Beckett partner Simon Collett.

"Our view is that the days of the medium-sized law firm may be numbered. I must admit that the concept of becoming the first true Bay of Plenty-wide law firm is also attractive."

McKechnie Quirke & Lewis is a four-partner practice, which has its main office in Rotorua, with branches in Whakatane and Opotiki.

Holland Beckett acquired the smaller practice of Olphert & Associates when director Jon Olphert sold and three of its staff will be moving into the McKechnie Quirke & Lewis premises once the purchase has been completed.

Holland Beckett practice manager Sharline Fitzgerald said it was hoped Mr Olphert could also consult on a part-time basis.

The Rotorua office will be able to deal with commercial, property, family and litigation matters. Ms Fitzgerald said that transferring McKechnie Quirke & Lewis' systems and information over would be a complex task, but that the firm had great staff and would be able to manage the transition and deal quickly with any challenges.

Holland Beckett has long been looking at expanding into Rotorua and the Eastern Bay of Plenty to service its growing client base in those areas, and to support its growth aspirations, the firm said.

When Holland Beckett moved into its Tauranga premises on Cameron Rd in October 2008, it had 16 lawyers. After the latest acquisition, it will have 38 lawyers and 77 staff.

"To survive a law firm may either have to be very small and specialised or large and full service," said Mr Collett.

"A large firm is able to do things more efficiently. It has the mass to ensure that overheads, systems, resources and training are optimised.

"In recent years our growth has enabled us to attract talented staff and we continue to receive enquiries from exceptional candidates. The ultimate result is that we are able to provide a broad range of specialist legal advice to our existing clients and we also have the capacity to attract and service new business."

McKechnie Quirke & Lewis partner Phil Kai Fong said the acquisition would benefit its clients. "Our clients will now have direct access to specialist lawyers if required," he said.

Mr Kai Fong and two senior solicitors, Richard Shand and Colin Handley, will join Holland Beckett as consultants, while the fourth, Peter Lewis, will come in as a partner.

"This will also provide us with access to Holland Beckett's up-to-date technology systems, marketing initiatives, website and comprehensive online library.

"Hopefully, with its brand awareness, we will be able to attract capable lawyers to Rotorua and the Eastern Bay so that we can grow those offices. Holland Beckett is a progressive firm and so this is a progressive move for us."