Law firm returns to Christchurch city

TAMLYN STEWART

Law firm Corcoran French's Christchurch team has returned to the city after spending 10 months squeezed into its Kaiapoi branch office.

It reopened its Christchurch office on Moorhouse Ave just before Christmas.

In September 2010 the Kaiapoi office had been badly damaged by the 7.1-magnitude quake and the firm had to move to a staff member's house temporarily until it could occupy new premises at The Crossing that November.

There had been a photocopier in the kitchen, and filing cabinets in a bedroom, managing partner Martin Bell said.

Corcoran French's larger Latimer Square office reopened for business 12 days after the September quake.

But less than six months later the February 22 quake hit and its Latimer Square office was within the cordoned-off CBD red zone.

Staff were able to retrieve files and deeds from the building, and the Christchurch team then squeezed into the virtually unscathed Kaiapoi office.

Bell said the more than 30 staff had worked in two shifts because there was only enough space for 10-15 staff in the open-plan office at one time.

While operating out of its Kaiapoi office, the firm had a "torrent" of red-zoned Kaiapoi homeowners seeking advice on conveyancing and insurance issues, which had led to a lot of litigation work.

"People were wanting advice on what was the best option to take," Bell said.

"The big decision for us was when to move back into town."

It had been very difficult to do complicated work and consult with difficult or stressed clients in the open plan office space in Kaiapoi.

"So the time came, we had to make a decision: do we move back into town or go to the suburbs like a lot of firms have done.

"In the end we decided to take the punt and go back into the CBD – or round the outskirts – and hope the shakes stop."

Staff were comfortable in the new two-storey building, he said.

General manager Simon McVie said the Government wage subsidy had been a big help, and not just for their practice.

"The Government package in Christchurch saved a lot of businesses," McVie said.

Corcoran French had about 37 staff before the quake but had to make about seven redundant after February. It was now hiring again.

The firm's own insurance claims were close to complete settlement and although it had been a slow process its insurers had "fronted up", Bell said.

But McVie said its insurance costs had increased 209 per cent when it renewed its policy in September last year.

Staff had been "fantastic" despite difficult conditions and increased workload, and coping with personal losses.

A number of staff members' homes were badly damaged and most knew of someone who was hurt, or died in the quake.

Bell's brother died in the CTV building.

Corcoran French's growth plans for last year, which were put on hold, would go ahead this year and would involve six to eight new staff joining the city office in the first half of this year.

The firm's Kaiapoi office would now look to expand its civil and criminal litigation and family law practice.

- © Fairfax NZ News