The combination will “secure the future availability of legal services in Greymouth and the wider West Coast”
Christchurch firm Corcoran French has announced its acquisition of Greymouth-based firm Hannan & Seddon.
The combination will “secure the future availability of legal services in Greymouth and the wider West Coast,” Corcoran French managing partner Rachael Robertson said in a statement on the firm’s website.
Corcoran French clients on the West Coast will gain access to representatives from the firm in this part of the country, while Hannan & Seddon clients can benefit from Corcoran French’s specialist offerings in areas like commercial and business law, dispute resolution and litigation, which were previously not available in Greymouth as per the New Zealand Law Society.
The combination takes effect on 1 April.
Hannan & Seddon retains its staff and team of lawyers after the merger. The Greymouth firm will also keep its original name, location and contact information while operating as one of Corcoran French’s divisions.
“There are existing strong ties between the two firms, as one of our partners, Martin Bell, was a partner in Hannan & Seddon for 13 years from 1987 to 2000, when he lived on the West Coast,” Robertson said.
Following the amalgamation of Hannan & Seddon’s practice with Corcoran French’s, the roster at Corcoran French swells to approximately 70. Hannan & Seddon partners Tony Sullivan and Colin Smith will collaborate closely with the partners at Corcoran French in the process.
In addition, Corcoran French partners Shehan de Silva and Michael Bendall are expected to visit the Hannan & Seddon office regularly to meet with clients.
Both firms are part of the independent law firm network NZ LAW Limited, which is chaired by Corcoran French partner Mark Henderson.
