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COONEY LEES<br />
MORGAN<br />
The changing face of law<br />
COONEY LEES<br />
MORGAN (CLM) IS a<br />
linchpin of Tauranga’s<br />
business community<br />
and its ability to<br />
rejuvenate and adapt<br />
to a fast-changing<br />
world is why it continues to thrive after<br />
102 years.<br />
The firm’s culture and values remain<br />
steadfast, but the office DNA happily<br />
remains in a state of flux with 20 new<br />
staff hired in the last 12 months alone.<br />
Owen Cooney, who joined the firm<br />
almost 40 years ago, explained that the<br />
commitment to bringing in new blood<br />
had really been a point of difference.<br />
“If you’re not bringing in new blood,<br />
you’re not changing with the times,<br />
you’re not bringing in fresh energy and<br />
the oldies just get staid in their ways,” he<br />
said.<br />
“Some of the large firms that were<br />
perceived leaders in the legal industry in<br />
Tauranga when I first came to town, are<br />
either no longer here or a mere shadow<br />
of themselves, because that young talent<br />
and energy hasn’t been brought through<br />
on a regular basis.”<br />
recruitment market. This year CLM hired<br />
five summer clerks for the first time to<br />
bring youth and vitality to the workplace<br />
over summer, assist their lawyers over<br />
a busy period, and to assess potential<br />
candidates for fulltime graduate<br />
positions.<br />
Partner Scott Goodwin said CLM has<br />
had interns in the past, but not as a<br />
considered approach to position the<br />
firm for the future.<br />
“We accept that these young people<br />
will travel and see the world and gain<br />
important life skills. But one day, they<br />
may return and become a valued<br />
member of our firm. The summer<br />
internship was such a success we have<br />
unanimously decided to do it again next<br />
summer and beyond.”<br />
Scott is one of the youngest partners<br />
at just 38 years of age and says flexible<br />
working arrangements are another<br />
“If you’re not bringing in new blood,<br />
you’re not changing with the times,<br />
you’re not bringing in fresh energy<br />
and the oldies just get staid in their<br />
ways.” – Owen Cooney<br />
Generational growth<br />
Fostering the next generation is a key<br />
focus due to considerable growth in<br />
the past five years and a challenging<br />
CHANGING TIMES: MENTORING AND<br />
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT ENSURE<br />
THE TEAM AT COONEY LEES MORGAN<br />
CONTINUES TO THRIVE.<br />
32 | YEAR BOOK <strong>2020</strong>
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