LawTalk checks in with firms who have availed themselves of the membership offer from the Law Society and where they see value for their staff. From training to products and service offerings, the Law Society’s partner programme aims to enrich the professional and personal lives of its members.
Their motivations may have been different, but for two law firms it was an easy choice to retain Law Society membership for all the lawyers in their respective firms.
Claire Tyler, Partner at Wellington-based firm Rainey Collins Lawyers, said membership was a good investment in the firm’s staff.
“Membership gives our staff access to personal and professional support, discounts on products, services and CPD events and complimentary section membership,” she said.
Werner van Harselaar, Partner at Dunedin firm Wilkinson Rodgers, said being part of the profession meant that membership was essential.
“The term ‘professional’ is critical to us and we need the institution of a robust society to continually promote that prestigious role,” he said.
“In order to give and support the profession of law we must have a healthy and robust Law Society,” said Werner. “The small membership fee gives us staffing to allow busy lawyers to maintain connectivity, training and relevance.”
Werner said the fabric of the Law Society is the collegiality that came from membership.
“We have ready access to a local branch manager who provides a human perspective to the dealings of law. Local contact is critical to engagement of the members,” he said. “The social events are some of the only opportunities to engage with lawyers outside of your specialist area.”
Claire Tyler, Partner at Wellington-based firm Rainey Collins LawyersIt’s a sentiment echoed by Claire who said that, not only would membership help support and bolster what they were doing internally, but it would also help with collegiality amongst the profession.
“Membership reinforces to both clients and potential employees that the firm has a close association with the Law Society,” said Claire.
Werner said membership meant more than the benefits members received.
“It’s about doing the right thing and not just about what is in it for us,” he said.
“The profession of law is a pillar of democracy. We live in a world where democratic processes are challenged and trusted sources are becoming scarcer,” said Werner. “We need to be stronger and not allow ourselves to be splintered through apathy.”
Werner said if membership fell to the point of reduced services, then all the profession would suffer.
Rainey Collins Lawyers and Wilkinson Rodgers are just two of several firms that have chosen to retain membership for all their lawyers. Leading law firms Dentons Kensington Swan and Anderson Lloyd say they support the national membership body and cloud accounting firm Xero is also renewing membership for all its NZ-qualified in-house lawyers, and says they see great value in continuing to receive the Law Society’s services lawsociety.org.nz/news/newsroom/leading-law-firms-endorse-law-society-membership/
You can find more information about how the Law Society’s Partner Programme can save you money from 1 July.
The Partner Programme offers a range of savings on both personal and professional services. It includes everything from reduced mortgage rates from ANZ through to savings on retail products such as clothing and books. There are also many savings on professional services including office products, software and freight. You can also find savings on travel including accommodation and fuel discounts.
The Partner Programme is one of the new benefits we’re offering members from the start of the 24/25 membership year. More information about all our offers can be found on our Partner Programme web pages.
From 1 July, you will be able to access the deals with ease through our app. Check out what you’ll be able to save: lawsociety.org.nz/membership/partner-programme