This marks the firm's return to the area following the 2011 earthquake
Parry Field Lawyers has announced the opening of a new office in Christchurch's CBD, marking the firm's return to the area following the 2011 earthquake.
The new office is located at 60 Cashel Street, near the Bridge of Remembrance. It is the firm's fourth location in the region, along with additional offices in Riccarton, Selwyn, and Hokitika.
The opening ceremony was attended by Christchurch Mayor Phil Mauger, who praised the firm's decision to return to the CBD.
“It’s investment by businesses like yours that help drive our economy and support the community,” he said. “Thanks for all the work you do as a legal team to remove barriers and find solutions for your clients.”
The mayor also commended Parry Field for their choice of location, seeing as the building on 60 Cashel Street was one of the first significant rebuilds in the area after the earthquake and was designed to be 130% of the Building Code.
“It a great example of the determination to build better – to create work environments that are safer, stronger, and smarter,” Mauger said.
At the opening ceremony, Parry Field chair Kris Morrison recalled the moment the earthquake struck, when the firm’s partners, lawyers, and office staff were trapped on the upper floors of the 17-storey Forsyth Barr building in Colombo Street and had to be rescued by crane.
Thinking back to that day and the loss and damage in the earthquakes, Morrison said it was encouraging to see the “return of business and life to the central city over the last few years in particular.”
“It is exciting to be joining that return ourselves,” he said.
Until the earthquakes 12 years ago, Parry Field held offices continuously in the Christchurch CBD since the firm was founded in 1948.
Morrison also mentioned that the addition of a fourth office reflects the growth the firm has experienced, coming from a team of 25 a decade ago to more than 80 now.
“One key principle for us as a law firm is that we always want to be and feel accessible to our clients,” Morrison said, adding that their return to the CBD will offer more convenience to their clients based in the area.
He also thanked those involved in fitting out the firm’s new office, including Malcolm Orr and project manager Russell Hatcher.
“We love the way the offices have come together,” Morrison said.
