Newsletter - December 2023
2023 has been a big year for everyone, including the team at Turner Hopkins. We made our long-awaited move to new premises in June, we rolled out our new, fresh branding, and our updated websites were also released in September. It has been a year of significant change, but change focused on ensuring we can continue to deliver outstanding service to our clients, no matter where they are located.
Within the office we have seen some fresh new faces join us, as well as celebrating several internal promotions. We continue to build on our experience and expertise, and as we wind up what has been an interesting 2023, we are looking forward to an exciting 2024, serving our local, national and international clients.
Our final newsletter for the year is a celebration of sorts, and a look to the year ahead. A time to reflect on what has been, as we all turn out minds to planning for the summer holidays, taking some time out with friends and family and recharging for 2024.
New Offices - New Look
We Moved!
Our new offices, located at No. 1, 1-7 The Strand, Takapuna, Auckland.
In early June 2023, we moved offices from our two separate sites on Lake Road (416 and 400) to our new home at No.1, 1-7 The Strand. Still in Takapuna and just up the road from our previous location, our new offices provide an improved space for clients as well as having the entire team under one roof.
Even though the move was just up the road, it was an enormous effort, undertaken by various staff and over multiple weekends. We would like to thank those staff for their contributions to settling us in to our new premises.
Having outgrown our previous locations, it was time to move and our new offices provide a refreshed, modern environment for both staff and clients. With more and more of our services being conducted online we have also invested heavily in videoconferencing technology, enabling us to serve clients in person or virtually. We now also have the facilities available to host events and we look forward to welcoming clients to our premises in the near future.
In addition to the new premises, Turner Hopkins has also undergone an entire brand refresh, representing our view on the future, whilst still maintaining our established roots in the local community. The new look consists of a complete refresh of our office environment, updated websites for both Turner Hopkins and Turner Hopkins Services (our immigration practice) and all new printed materials. We recognise the standard of services that the Turner Hopkins name has come to represent, so instead of a new name, we have simply given everything a more modern feel.
If you are local to Takapuna, you might have already seen the new branding added to the side of No. 1 The Strand and you are also welcome to visit our offices if you are in the Takapuna area.
Check out the new premises in the gallery below (click to enlarge image).
Team Updates
Celebrating Success
We have had several new staff appointments and promotions throughout 2023.
Our business is all about people - the clients we look after and the staff that look after them. We have been lucky enough, over the course of this year, to welcome some new faces, as well as offer some very well deserved promotions to several of our colleagues.
Promotions for 2023
Jade Cookson
Jade Cookson – one of Auckland’s most highly regarded family law specialists. Jade Cookson has now been promoted to be a Principal in our firm reflecting her level of expertise and the quality of the legal representation she provides to clients requiring assistance in any manner of family law or related matter.
Olga Pelevina
Originally from Russia, practising as a civil litigator as well as working in the area of property law, Olga migrated to New Zealand in 2014 and was admitted as a Barrister and Soilicitor of the High Court in New Zealand in 2018. Olga is an expert in her field and a highly valued member of our Private Client Team.
New Staff for 2023
Yukie Tan - Solicitor - Yukie works as a specialist in our family law team.
Daphne Lim - Litigation Assistant - Daphne is soon to be admitted as a Solicitor and works in our Litigation Dispute Resolution team.
Luis Paulo Santana De Mattos - Litigation Assistant - Luis joins Daphne and has recently been admitted as a Solicitor working in our Litigation Dispute Resolution team.
Anna Rippon - Debt Recovery - Anna looks after our debt recovery operations, within the civil litigation team.
Raeleigh Schoombie - Legal Secretary - Raeleigh joins our commercial and property team, providing valuable secretarial and admin support.
Alyssa Hale - Litigation Assistant - Alyssa is studying law and joins our litigation team in a support capacity.
Lucy Smitham - Trust Account / Credit Controller - Lucy joined us at the beginning of 2023 and is an integral part of our accounts team.
Abby Rosenberg - Office Assistant - Abby is joining us over the summer break to gain some exposure to working in a law firm, between her studies at Otago University.
Trudie Partridge - Personal Assistant - Trudie joined the firm in April of 2023 bringing her many years of secretarial experience in the legal industry.
As part of our brand refresh and giving current and future clients better access to our team and resources we have also produced a number of staff profile videos, allowing you to the meet the team virtually, before you meet them in person. You can take a look here, on our website (click for videos).
We would also like to take a moment to acknowledge and remember our former colleague Kathy, who very sadly passed away in May of this year. Kathy is still talked about often in the office and although she is no longer with us, she is thought of often. Our thoughts are with her family over the coming holiday season.
100 Year Celebrations
100 Years Young
Celebrating a century of providing outstanding legal services, locally, nationally and internationally.
Since 1923 Turner Hopkins has established itself as one of the leading mid-sized general practice law firms in New Zealand. Over that time, the business has grown, adapted and evolved and we have plenty of plans for the future.
To mark the occasion (and what an occasion it is) we are planning a series of celebrations over the course of 2024. We are also working on a book, covering the history of the firm, which will have contributions from the current and former partners.
Recognising this milestone will be a great opportunity for the team to celebrate our history, and to confirm our commitment to serving clients and our local community for another 100 years and more.
Supporting KidsCan
KidsCan is New Zealand’s leading charity focused on helping children affected by poverty. Their work is always crucial but more so in recent times. Founded in 2005, from very humble beginnings, KidsCan now provides over five million items of food, clothing and health products to children and families in need, throughout New Zealand.
You can help KidsCan by visiting their website (click here) and donating online. All donations are welcome.
Turner Hopkins is a strong supporter of the work that KidsCan does and has demonstrated that commitment through a financial donation to the organisation as well as supporting them in their work to raise funds for children and families in need. The holidays can be a challenging time for many families throughout New Zealand and so we are pleased to be able to do our bit to support the work that KidsCan does every day of the year.
Holiday Hours
Holiday Hours
We will be closed from midday - Thursday 21 December 2023, reopening from 15 January 2024.
As the ‘silly season’ approaches (some might say it is already here) it is easy to leave things to the last minute. If you are in need of any legal assistance before the holiday period, we recommend you contact us as soon as possible (call or email us using the links below).
Over the holiday period, our offices will closed from midday on Thursday 21 December 2023 and we will reopen on Monday 15 January 2024. We will have a small contingent of staff in the office from Wednesday 10 January 2024 as well, to deal with urgent matters.
As we wrap up for the year, we will also be asking you to provide your feedback on our services - we will be emailing all of our clients a separate survey to complete within the next few days. We value your input and use this feedback to enhance the services we offer. The survey only takes a few minutes to complete. If you want to complete the survey now (click here).
No matter what your plans are for the holiday period, whether you are travelling locally or internationally or taking some time out at home, we wish you and your families, a very safe and restful festive season, and we look forward to working with you again in 2024.
The Team - Turner Hopkins
