Law firm celebrates 100 years

Helen Nathan with some of the firm's treasured history. Photo / Stephen Parker

In the offices of East Brewster sits a treasure box containing 100 years of history.

It contains intriguing items from the early days of the Rotorua law firm, which celebrated its centenary this month with a charity ball at the Blue Baths.

A worn ledger contains entries from October 1913, when Leslie Dingle became the fourth lawyer to set up permanently in Rotorua. His original Bible, used for swearing on, is also in the box along with a stamp bearing his seal.

East Brewster director Helen Nathan said little was known about Mr Dingle, despite efforts to research the firm's history.

"We don't even know what he looked like," she said.

She said it was believed he came to Rotorua from Christchurch, was a keen sportsman and operated from premises on Hinemoa St.

Much more is known about the men that gave the firm its current name. Ted East joined in 1948 while Roger Brewster became a partner in 1958, following Mr Dingle's retirement.

Mr Brewster was a special guest at the recent ball while Mr East's son Paul, himself a partner in the firm from 1974 to 1978, also attended.

As one of the oldest law firms in Rotorua, Mrs Nathan and her colleagues are proud of its history.

Statute books dating back to 1908 still sit on the shelves, bearing the name of the late Mr Dingle. "We'll probably never need to refer to them ever again but it seems we should keep the history," Ms Nathan said, adding such history added to the personality the firm had built up over the years.

As with any other business, the firm and its focus has also changed over the years.

Mrs Nathan said when she joined in 1991 East Brewster was a full service firm, doing everything from commercial to litigation and criminal law.

Soon after it moved away from criminal law towards a strong family court and Maori land practice. Since then there had been a gradual progression and now the firm focused on commercial, property and Maori trusts and land.

"If you want to stay ahead you have to change to meet what your strengths are and what's required," Mrs Nathan said.

Fellow director Curtis Bidois said East Brewster had produced more than its fair share of high achievers - David Ambler was appointed a Maori Land Court judge in 2006, Alayne Wills a Family Court judge in 2010 and Rob Ronanye became a District Court judge this year. All were former East Brewster partners.

"In the past decade [we've produced] more judges than any other firm I know of," Mr Bidois said.

Mr Bidois has been with the firm 11 years and laughed that one of his recent "joys" had been working with land owners in Kawerau and finding leases and documents prepared by Roger Brewster. "For me that brings home the inter-generational association the firm has had with our region," he said.

He said he believed one of the things that differentiated the firm from many others was its innate gender equity. This was not deliberate or "political correctness", but just the way things had always been and a reflection of its values, the directors agreed.

"The glass ceiling that may be perceived to exist elsewhere has never really crystallised at East Brewster," Mr Bidois said.

Mr Bidois said he was optimistic about the future of both the Waiariki district and East Brewster.

"We're seeing a new generation of astute governors being appointed to Maori lands on our area ... It's such a thrill to be involved in some of those exciting developments," he said. "I expect the firm will still be there with our same values in [another] 100 years."