Queenstown and Auckland environmental law specialist firm, North South Environmental Law (NSEL), has won the Resource Management and Environment Law Award at the 7th annual New Zealand Law Awards 2011 last Thursday. The winning law firms were selected by popular vote by their clients.
Berry & Co partners George Berry and Revell Buckham are two of the four NSEL directors, together with Robert Makgill and Katia Fraser.
George Berry said, "All of us in Berry & Co are so pleased for NSEL. Robert and Katia have worked very hard to establish the firm and to build up their client base. We're very proud of them."
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| Award winners Katia Fraser and Robert Makgill, North South Environmental Law with Angela Jacobsen, Account Manager, NZ Lawyer & New Zealand Law Awards. Photo: NZ Lawyer |
NSEL was thrilled with its win said Robert Makgill when accepting the prize. "It's fantastic to receive this award. We're very grateful for the support received from our clients, consultants and colleagues. We've a passion for environmental law, the work we do and the people we work with. We say a huge thank you to our clients; your support is clear from your contributions to our website. This award is as much theirs, as ours."
Fellow NSEL director Katia Fraser was also on hand to receive the prize. Katia said, "NSEL was established just over three years ago and winning this award is a significant tick of confidence for us by our clients. We work very hard to get results for our clients, and to build up excellent relationships with them all. Winning this award is such a positive affirmation of the way we work."
One NSEL client wrote: "I have worked with numerous environmental law firms over many decades. This firm stands out for their combination of legal excellence, rapid grasp of significant issues, and sound strategic advice. I am particularly impressed by the time made available for pro bono work, and in commercial work, the overall value for fees. We specialise in resource management work and they are my number one choice."
A specialist environmental law practice, NSEL provides a broad range of legal services for individual and corporate clients in the environmental and local government areas. NSEL has offices in Auckland and Queenstown. It is the only specialist environmental law practice of its kind in both the North and South Islands.
The team's experience spans all areas of environmental law, and every aspect of the resource management and development process, including strategic planning and policy advice, preparation and advice on district plans, obtaining resource consent, and compliance and liability issues.
Rihi will be working in Commercial and Property Law.
An Old Girl of Waitaki Girls' High School, Rihi was born and raised in North Otago, completed her degree in Dunedin and is a current Otago Representative netballer. Berry & Co prides itself on being a family orientated firm and it is indeed special to have Rihi working alongside her father David in the practice of law.
We were sad to farewell Ashley Smyth from her position as Conveyancing Assistant, but congratulate her and Luke on their new arrival Leo George Smyth.
Jan Warrington is a welcome addition to the Conveyancing administration team. Jan is a Kakanui resident who comes to us with considerable administrative expertise.
The Queenstown office is sad to announce the departure of lawyer Cecil Priest who left at the end of January to expand her overseas travel experiences, prior to settling in Christchurch on her return.
Queenstown Legal Secretary Angela Bates left in early February to pursue other employment. Angela's skills will be missed around the office.
The Oamaru office is about to embark on a major office extension. Whilst the historic stables building will remain functional, the 'front' office occupiers will be relocating to a temporary premises in Coquet Street (the old Scott & Co offices). While this will cause some short term disruption we are sure the end result will be well worth it. The Oamaru community will, we are sure, carefully track the progress at 20 Eden Street over the next few months. Regular visitors to the website will be able to track its progress pictorially.
Well-known Oamaru identity, lawyer George Berry, was presented with the 2009 NZ LAW Kerry Goldstone Memorial Award for outstanding voluntary community service at NZ LAW's Annual General Meeting last Friday evening (2 October). George is senior partner in NZ LAW member firm, Oamaru's Berry & Co. The award carries a $2,000 grant to be donated to George's choice of charity. George was presented with the award by Kerry's widow, Margaret.
Established in 2005 the Memorial Award honours the memory of NZ LAW's founding chairman, Kerry Goldstone, who died suddenly in May 2004. Kerry chaired NZ LAW from its inception in 1992 to 2002. Amongst the many organisations to which Kerry gave his time, the Child Cancer Foundation (CCF) touched his heart the most. He was honoured as a life member of CCF in 2002.
Jim Ferguson, chairman of NZ LAW, said, "NZ LAW honours Kerry's memory with this award which remembers his service to the community. George's energy and long-time interest in working with North Otago voluntary organisations make him the stand-out winner. Coincidentally, George and Kerry had been great friends for many years.
A dedicated protector of heritage buildings, and also supporter of the arts and education, George Berry has spent much of his working life deeply involved in North Otago projects. Keen to help save Oamaru's unique precinct of Victorian buildings and streetscapes, George was the establishment trustee and former chairman of the Oamaru Whitestone Civic Trust. He established the North Otago Regional Committee of the New Zealand Historic Places Trust, and was chairman for five years.
George's arts interests are wide. He was an establishment member of the management committee for Oamaru's Forrester Art Gallery, and also founding chairman of the Friends of Forrester. An enthusiastic lover of opera, George was honorary solicitor to the Oamaru Repertory and Operatic Society for more than 30 years.
Waitaki Boys' High School has benefited from George's leadership; he was the inaugural chairman of its board of trustees from 1989-1992. From 1991-1998 he was chairman of the school's Foundation and he was responsible for fundraising $1million for school projects.
Founding and current chairman of the company that administers Oamaru Hospital (Waitaki District Health Services Ltd), George is also chairman of the board of trustees of Waitaki District Health Services Trust.
The senior partner in Oamaru law firm, Berry & Co, George has a special interest in resource management, property, business and company law, planning and litigation management, and family succession. George is a director and consultant to North South Environmental Law, a specialist environmental law firm with offices in Auckland and Queenstown. In 2002 George was awarded the MNZM for community service, particularly to education. A keen outdoors man, George has spent much of his recreational time in Otago's hills and mountains.
When NZ LAW established the Kerry Goldstone Memorial Award, Kerry's widow Margaret recommended the award only be given for five years, and the 2009 presentation is its last. A full list of winners is:
• 2005: Geoff Mirkin, Wilkinson Adams, Dunedin
• 2006: Ian Lawrence, Johnston Lawrence, Wellington
• 2007: Tom Pryde, Cruickshank Pryde, Invercargill & Queenstown
• 2008: Colin Smith, Hannan & Seddon, Greymouth, and
• 2009: George Berry, Berry & Co, Oamaru & Queenstown.
NZ LAW is an association of independent legal practices with member firms located throughout New Zealand. There are presently 61 member firms practising in over 70 locations. NZ LAW member firms have agreed to co-operate with one another to develop a national working relationship. Membership enables firms to access one another's skills, information and ideas whilst maintaining client confidentiality.
(Ends - Issued by Adroite Communications on behalf of NZ LAW Limited)
We were thrilled for long-standing legal executive Sue McLean on the arrival of her baby boy, Tai. Sue - we will miss you hugely, but wish you, Ken and Tai every happiness in your new family life.
Lawyer Erin Gray has joined our Queenstown office on her return from working for a boutique Guernsey (Channel Islands) law firm. Erin works closely with the Queenstown partners in employment law, litigation and dispute resolution, and commercial and company law.
Erin grew up in the North Island and attended university in both Wellington and Auckland. She is enjoying all that Queenstown has to offer, including climbing, skiing, tramping and mountain biking.
Legal executive Anna Greenslade recently joined our Oamaru office. Prior to moving to North Otago, Anna worked in Dunedin as a property consultant specialising in Crown land acquisition and disposal, and in Christchurch and Queenstown as a legal executive. She spent several years managing Project Aqua's Kurow office for Meridian Energy.
Anna works in our residential conveyancing team, helps prepare family trust documentation and also provides general property advice with particular expertise in paper road stoppings and Crown Land matters. |
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