We read with interest the article entitled “New Zealand’s Oldest Law Firms” appearing at pages 98 and 99 of LawTalk Issue 932.

Our firm, Berry & Co was omitted from the list of the 50 oldest law firms, however it traces its roots back to 1886 when HB Crawford first set up practice in Naseby and shortly thereafter moved to Oamaru to practice law. The firm has gone through a number of name changes over the subsequent 133 years, and became Berry & Co in 1988.

The firm held very successful 110th anniversary celebrations in 1996 that was attended by many former staff members and partners dating back to the 1950s. In recent years the firm has expanded with branch offices in Queenstown and lnvercargill.

We suspect there may be other firms who likewise have a similar lineage that have been missed off the list, but no doubt they will make contact if they feel the need to correct the record!

Michael de Buyzer
Partner, Berry & Co.

Geoff Adlam replies

Yes, Mr de Buyzer is correct, Berry & Co of Oamaru should have been included in the list of the 50 oldest law firms in New Zealand. Our apologies for the omission.