Chad Wallace named partner at Cooney Lees Morgan

03 April 2024
1 MINUTE READ

Leading property and development lawyer, Chad Wallace has joined Cooney Lees Morgan’s partnership team on 1 April, having made a significant mark on the Bay of Plenty firm in just eight years.

Chad joined CLM in 2015 and looks after one of New Zealand’s most prominent residential construction companies, as well as commercial and residential property developers, farmers, orchardists and a number of retirement village operators.

He first set his sights on becoming a Partner while working as a young Solicitor at Minter Ellison Rudd Watts in Auckland. The new addition will bring CLM’s partnership ranks back up to nine, following the retirement of Peter Crombie last December.

Wallace was first admitted to the Bar in 2013, having achieved top marks and a number of academic prizes while studying a Bachelor of Laws (first class honours) and a Bachelor of Social Science (majoring in economics) at the University of Waikato.

His new role as Partner will provide a number of challenges as he focusses on the operational management and strategic direction of the firm. “I’m particularly looking forward to focusing on strengthening client relationships and helping to grow the firm by cultivating and attracting new talent.” CLM currently employs 110 staff across four practice groups – Property & Development, Dispute Resolution & Local Government, Corporate & Commercial, and Private Client & Trust.

Wallace says he’s looking forward to contributing to the ongoing success of CLM. “The firm has been operating for 105 years. And over that time we’ve had Partners retire and new Partners join. But it’s always been a very stable and cohesive partnership. The Partners over that time have built up an incredibly successful firm that plays a very important role in the Tauranga and wider Bay of Plenty community.

“As a Partner, you’re acting as a guardian of the firm for future generations of lawyers and clients as well. You always need to be looking ahead to make sure the firm is evolving, is keeping up-to-date and looking for new opportunities to grow, for the benefit of current and future staff and clients. I’m excited to be part of that constant evolution of our firm.”

CLM Partner Cameron Russell has warmly welcomed Wallace on behalf of the existing partnership. “Chad always approaches issues with a level head and he is brilliant at problem solving. We are looking forward to the significant contribution we know he will make to the direction of our firm in the years to come.”