Tauranga lawyer Bill Holland steps down as partner of Holland Beckett Law after 40 years

Bill Holland holding a photograph taken with his late father after he was admitted to the bar. Photo / Sandra Conchie

The fish are biting and family time is beckoning as Bill Holland steps down as partner at Holland Beckett Law.

Holland started at his father's law firm, then called Holland Beckett and Co, in 1976 and was made partner in 1979 after his father's death.

Now, 40 years on, Holland has decided to hand over the reins.

This month, Holland found out the cancer he had been battling for just over six months was in remission - but he says this had nothing to do with his decision to step down.

In fact, he made his mind up in June last year before his diagnosis.

"I never wanted to be the sort of person who reaches the usual retirement age and has to be asked to leave. I still absolutely love legal work and the people I get to work with.

"I wanted to step aside as partner on my own terms and now is the right time to make way for new blood and give our upcoming lawyers the chance to get ahead."

The now 67-year-old always wanted to be a lawyer, just like his father.

He graduated law school in 1976, aged 24, and joined his late father William (Bill) Sydney Holland at the firm soon after.

Around this time, his father decided to take a three-month break, and this became the impetus for Holland's ascendancy to partner.

"My father introduced me to some of his clients before telling me he was off and left me to it.

"With my rather limited experience, I was pretty much thrown into the role as partner. Fortunately, I had known the majority of these clients most of my life.

"My father pretty much passed the baton to me from that point."

On December 28, 1978, his father suddenly died from a heart attack, aged 63.

Holland officially became a partner in 1979.

Today the practice is one of the largest in the Bay of Plenty with more than 50 lawyers working at offices in Tauranga, Rotorua and Whakatāne.

His business achievements included being named business leader of the year in the 2009 Tauranga Chamber of Commerce Business Awards and in 2013 he received a community service in law award at the NZ Law Society Awards.

Holland is also well-known for his work with charitable organisations and was made a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit in 2012 for services to the community.

He is the chairman of TECT and is also involved with Acorn Foundation, Community Foundations of NZ, Legacy Trust, Priority One, Holy Trinity, Tauranga Boys' College Old Boys Association, Tauranga Sunrise Rotary Club, and Tauranga Rowing Club.

Holland's role as partner comes to an end tomorrowbut he's staying on as a consultant and would like to get more involved in mentoring less-experienced lawyers in the firm.

Holland said stepping down as a partner will allow him to spend more time with his family, and being able to take some time out on a workday to go fishing with friends next week will be a "rare treat".

Holland said he steps down knowing the management of the firm is in "safe hands".

When it comes to the success of Holland Beckett Law, Holland was quick to pay tribute to his father, past and present partners and other lawyers who work in the firm.

"It's never about just one person, it is very much a team effort."