Tavendale and Partners + Cooney Silva Evatt

Two of Canterbury’s pre-eminent law firms today announced their merger.  Tavendale and Partners and Ashburton-based Cooney Silva Evatt will join forces from 1 October.

 Prompted by their shared strategic focus, this merger will undoubtedly raise the bar. The consolidated practice envisages adding further value for clients through its in-depth understanding of key sectors that drive the region’s economy.

 Tavendale and Partners has a longstanding reputation for its legal practice across the primary industries. The Tavendale name in particular is well known in agricultural circles throughout Canterbury, while Ashburton-based Director Andrew Leete leads an astute commercial practice.

 Cooney Silva Evatt is one of mid-Canterbury’s oldest law firms and arguably one of New Zealand’s leading provincial practices.  Also with a particular strength in the agribusiness and commercial sectors, the firm is known for exemplary advice, with Laurence Cooney remembered as one of Canterbury’s most respected legal practitioners. More recently Tim Silva and Tom Evatt have guided the firm through a period of significant growth.

 “The shared values, philosophy, and industry focus of the two firms provides the perfect platform for the merger. The combined expertise this partnership will bring to the mid-Canterbury region will be of strategic importance to our clients” says Mark Tavendale, Director of Tavendale and Partners.

 “Our evaluation of the benefits of joining forces has highlighted our respective and complementary capabilities and strengths” adds Tim Silva, Director of Cooney Silva Evatt.

 “A period of significant growth has prompted us to carefully consider the best way to continue delivery of exceptional client service in the strong traditions of our firm, but also reflecting that the environment we operate in is becoming increasingly sophisticated and specialised. Accordingly, we sought to partner with a firm with the range and depth of experience needed to deliver all of the core services that our clients need and deserve, while allowing us to build on our substantial mid-Canterbury agribusiness and commercial practice” said Silva.

 The merged firms will trade under the Tavendale and Partners brand, providing existing and additional services with fortified means and flair. 

For further information contact:

Mark Tavendale

Director

Tavendale and Partners

(03) 374 9999

021 221 0724

 

Tim Silva

Director

Cooney Silva Evatt

03 308 7412

021 505 137

Key issues discussed at industry event

Leading specialist law firm, Tavendale and Partners, created a dynamic discussion platform for its agricultural-based clients by hosting guest speaker Hon Nathan Guy, Minister for Primary Industries.

 Canterbury-based Tavendale and Partners has a depth of specialist legal expertise in agribusiness, commercial, and resource management law, so they were pleased to secure the Minister to address their guests at a forum on a number of topical issues.

 “Many of our clients and industry partners are involved or affected by the agribusiness sector, so to hear directly from our Minister about current issues was a rare and welcome opportunity,’’ said Mark Tavendale, Director.

 “We were also lucky enough to have a robust question and answer session with the Minister following his speech. This gave our guests the opportunity to get direct answers to the issues that are relevant to them, and to hear about the issues that their peers are dealing with.”

 Not surprisingly, a key topic of interest in the Minister’s speech was irrigation. The Minister offered an in-depth explanation of the Government’s investment in irrigation to support key projects getting off the ground.

 Minister Guy discussed water and river storage, and the environmental benefits that would have for the likes of Lake Ellesmere, which is anticipated to have 15-20% more groundwater flowing into it as less groundwater will be required.

 He also spoke about New Zealand’s efforts to reduce its environmental footprint and the Government’s investment in modern technology such as variable rate irrigation.

 During his address, the Minister covered the primary growth partnership and the work that is being done in research and development, including the Government’s partnership with the primary sector.

 In his generous overview, Minister Guy also discussed trade and market access, Maori agribusiness, and biosecurity – a topic that the Minister indicated was very high on his priority list.

 The question and answer session proved to be well-informed, wide-ranging and extremely beneficial for the audience and Director, Andrew Leete, was pleased that the firm was able to provide this opportunity for their guests to connect with one of New Zealand’s key policy influencers.

 “A great variety of questions were put forward to the Minister. Topics discussed included overseas investment in New Zealand, promotion of primary industries, the role of the National Animal Welfare Advisory Committee, and aligning regional councils,” said Mr Leete.

 Tavendale and Partners has already received great feedback from guests about the event and they hope to run similar sessions in the future.

Leading specialist law firm returns to the CBD

Canterbury law firm, Tavendale and Partners has signalled a return to the CBD with the announcement that it is the anchor tenant in a premium commercial development on the corner of Durham and Chester Streets. Comprising two three-storey buildings joined at the top floor by an air bridge, the development will be known as Tavendale and Partners House.

“Continuing to grow the commercial success of our clients has been our key consideration in choosing where our new Christchurch office should be,” says Director, Mark Tavendale.

“After reviewing all of the various options, both in terms of location and building, the decision was simple. This is a central location close to all the commercial banks and the soon-to-be revitalised commercial hub of the city and the development itself allows us to better accommodate the particular needs of our clients.”

“Many of our clients are involved in the agribusiness and commercial sectors.  They often don’t have an office in the city so we were adamant from the outset that we needed somewhere where our clients could  meet  with their various  business associates and advisers or simply deal with pressing matters if they arise”, adds Tavendale.

Boasting a Koru Club style business centre, Tavendale and Partners’ clients will have access to hot desks and meeting rooms, Wi-Fi and printers; not to mention a decent cup of coffee.

“Having spent the past three years in temporary space spread over two separate buildings, we have also been really conscious of the need to provide a great environment for our staff so we have ensured that there is lots of natural light and fresh air in the offices.”

The top floor opens onto balconies looking west over Cranmer Square and Hagley Park. There is also plentiful ground floor parking for clients and staff.

Property investor Richard Peebles of Peebles Group believes that having an anchor tenant involved early on in the design stages of a development is the difference between good space and exceptional space reflective of the needs of those who will eventually breathe life into the structure.

“It’s great to see a leading specialist law firm such as Tavendale and Partners choose to work with me on this site. It is a fantastic location for a law firm whose clients need to be at the heart of things. I look forward to seeing them shift into the office early in the New Year and to their clients enjoying such a great location.”

This is the fifteenth commercial building Peebles has developed since the earthquake.

Tavendale and Partners is scheduled to be in their new offices by March 2015.