Rural sector focus pays off for local law firm

ADDING VALUE: Ian Blackman and receptionist Sarah Homan with some of Blackman Spargo's awards in an office designed to resemble a farmhouse.PHOTO/STEPHEN PARKER 261113SP2

With its high ceilings, welcoming fireplace and kauri mantelpiece, Blackman Spargo's Rotorua office is not that of your usual law firm.

The design was intentional, according to senior partner Ian Blackman, who set up the boutique Froude St law firm 12 years ago with fellow partner Chris Spargo.

"Part of what we wanted to do was specialise in the rural sector and create an office that looks like a farmhouse."

Mr Blackman said Blackman Spargo was the only law firm in New Zealand that worked exclusively in the rural sector. "That's all we do."

At the recent 2013 New Zealand Law Awards, the firm was named runner-up for regional/suburban law firm of the year - open to all firms outside the four main centres.

It's an award the firm also won in 2006 and 2007, later taking out the Employer of Choice category in 2009.

Mr Blackman said the awards were special as they were voted for by clients. "It's all about the ability of a law firm to meet clients' needs," he said. "Our clients can take for granted that we know what the legal issues are ... the quality of service to the client is measured not only by rural law understanding but whether it adds value to them. The advice we give to them solves problems."

He said the firm helped farmers with issues such as buying and selling farms, succession planning, leasing, legal structures and disputes - and was as busy as ever.

"We haven't really noticed the downturn, farmers have to keep farming."

As a student, Wellington-raised Mr Blackman spent his summers working on a high country farm and later worked for a rural bank in Rotorua before moving into private practice.

"When you start working with farmers, you realise they are an honest, hardworking group of people," he said. "I'm not built to be a farmer but I love working in the industry."

He loves the sector so much, he spent three years writing Keeping Farming in the Family to help farmers with succession issues. Self-published, it has sold more than 1000 copies in two years.