Michael Cooney had retired just five years previously
Cooney Lees Morgan (CLM) announced that former partner Michael Cooney has died.
Cooney had retired in 2019 to cap off a 50-year career as a property and contract law specialist in Tauranga, following in the footsteps of his grandfather, CLM’s founder. Cooney commenced with the firm in 1970, working alongside his father, uncle, and brother, and helped to lead the firm after making partner in 1973.
He included among his clients several generations of families, to which he was a trusted adviser, CLM said.
“He was respected by the legal community both locally and nationally as a lawyer of high standing. He was known as an astute and tough negotiator who fought hard to advance his clients’ best interests. He was also a man of great integrity who took a genuine interest in people and the community. He was honest, hardworking and caring. His legacy lives on in the values of our firm today, and he is deeply missed by all who had the pleasure of knowing him”, CLM partner Paul Tustin said.
Outside of CLM, Cooney spent 30 years as coroner in Tauranga, where he oversaw many inquests. He also chaired the Tauranga Energy Consumer Trust (TECT) for 13 years, spearheading initiatives like financing the Waipuna Hospice, Trustpower Arena, Baywave Aquatic and Leisure Centre, TECT Rescue Helicopter, Tauranga Coastguard’s vessel, and the TECT All Terrain Park.
Moreover, he helped to launch Tauranga’s Aquinas College and was on the board of trustees. He was also on the board of trustees at St Mary’s Catholic School, having said that “the opportunity to work with young people, and advance their careers, is a wonderful thing to take part in”.
Cooney also served as solicitor to the Bishop for the Catholic Diocese of Hamilton, a director of Trustpower, and chair of Equality Bay of Plenty. He was named a Member of the New Zealand Order of Merit for his service to the community in 2013, and was awarded a Paul Harris Fellowship by Rotary International in 2010.
CLM confirmed that Cooney stayed in touch with the firm until his death earlier this month.
