Duncan Cotterill puts theory into practice

When Duncan Cotterill first mooted the idea of an office in Sydney, it seemed straightforward on paper.

But the firm, recently rated by ALB as one of the 10 fastest growing in Australasia during the past year, is first to admit that the reality has been somewhat harder.

How does such a dominant New Zealand practice translate itself across the ditch - retaining the essence of Duncan Cotterill while adapting to a different market as a relative unknown? It's taken time, admits commercial partner Neil Scott. "The Sydney office is part of the Duncan Cotterill network, but we have had to ensure it is a viable office in its own right. We're not just a Sydney post box. It's taken a little while and it's not been easy, but we are now a sustainable, fully functioning office of the Duncan Cotterill network. "After nearly six years in Sydney, we're starting to be recognised in the Australian market. Some of the early reaction of 'who are these guys?' is disappearing."

The high-powered attendance at Duncan Cotterill's recent Robbie Deans function in Sydney confirmed the depth of the office's growing client base. Scott: "With our ability to service clients in Australia and New Zealand, we're attractive to international clients looking for a one stop shop."

Services now span corporate and commercial, property, restructuring and insolvency, commercial litigation and employment with further expansion imminent. "All our lawyers come from large or mid tier Australian firms. Early next year, we'll have the first transfer of a lawyer from one of our New Zealand offices into our commercial team. There are also Australian lawyers, like Bruno Bordignon in our Wellington office, who can support us as necessary."

While there have been teething pains, Duncan Cotterill has now started to find its niche in Sydney and to develop its own personality. Scott says it is enjoying the best of both worlds. "We offer the personal service of a boutique commercial firm with the infrastructure, backing and access to specialist resources (such as tax, IP, employment) of a mid tier firm. This operates on the macro level for the likes of IT, finance and marketing, but on a micro level it has also allowed for typing of documents in New Zealand overnight for use first up in Australia. We view that two hour time difference as a real plus."

While three of the Sydney partners originally hail from New Zealand, Scott, who has practised in Sydney since 1981, points out that the firm has a depth of Australian experience. "We haven't just stepped off the plane. We've been around, we've worked at large and mid tier Australian firms and have advised large corporates and leading individuals. We've been involved in very large complex and public projects, as well as highly sensitive and confidential transactions."

Integral to Duncan Cotterill's growing presence in Sydney is its highly experienced employment team, headed by Ken Brotherson, ex Blake Dawson partner. "Our smaller size allows us to act both for corporations and senior executives at affordable rates. We have received many referrals from large Sydney corporate firms, which can't act for individuals. With the current financial crisis, we have in particular acted for a large number of senior executives in the finance and property sectors," says Brotherson. "We have long standing relationships with many of our clients, but we're also developing a significant and expanding list of new relationships."

Why have Duncan Cotterill's senior practitioners opted for such a leap of faith?
Brotherson: "It's always challenging making a move. But we like the Duncan Cotterill culture. It's progressive but values based. It's not all about money. People are important."

In New Zealand, Duncan Cotterill received a fitting close to its 150th anniversary celebrations when it won the prestigious Large Firm of the Year title at the 2008 NZ Law Awards.


	Click here to close