BETTER TOGETHER - Gibson Sheat & Logan Gold Walsh join forces

On 1 August, Wellington and Lower Hutt-based firm Gibson Sheat and Wairarapa-based firm Logan Gold Walsh merged. The new firm is known as Gibson Sheat Lawyers.

The benefits of change

This is an extremely positive step forward for both firms and our clients. By combining resources we offer enhanced depth and breadth of expertise throughout the wider Wellington region, and further afield.  A greater regional presence and increased expertise means we can service your needs more effectively.

Nigel Stirling, chairman of Partners, says “The firms have similar philosophies and priorities, and complementary practice areas. In particular the strong rural practice of Logan Gold Walsh is an excellent fit with Gibson Sheat’s growing expertise and volume of work in the Agri-Business sector.” He adds, “Our combined clients will benefit as we extend our ability to service their needs through greater expertise, depth and market reach.”

A history of local representation

Logan Gold Walsh and its predecessors have practised in the Wairarapa for over a century, while Gibson Sheat and its predecessors have practised in the Hutt Valley and Wellington region for almost 90 years. Both firms have long-standing clients, and in some cases have acted for several generations of some local families and businesses. 

The similarities and long histories of our individual firms strengthen the alignment of the two practices. Individually we have both always had a down-to-earth approach to working with our clients, and provided pragmatic and cost-effective solutions across a wide range of practice areas. Combined, this approach will continue to be a central feature of our service, and is entirely consistent with the Gibson Sheat brand which is all about relationships, expertise and personality.

Looking to the future

Succession can be a serious issue for some rural practices. This not only affects legal practices, but also accountants, GPs, and others. For Logan Gold Walsh, the merger ensures that there will be local legal representation in the Wairarapa long-term.

“There is a good fit between practice areas and personnel of the two firms”, says Logan Gold Walsh Director, Bruce Logan. “The merger will improve the firm’s competitive position, and succession within the new firm will be able to be planned and managed more satisfactorily.”

Prior to the merger, the two firms already had a close working relationship. Each had staff members that had previously worked in the other firm, and many have worked collaboratively over a period of time.

A strong regional representation

We strongly believe that the most recent changes in the firm strengthen our position in the greater Wellington marketplace, and enhance our firm’s ability to attract quality personnel. This will bring benefits for our clients across the entire region.

Being ‘local’ has always been an important part of the way both Gibson Sheat and Logan Gold Walsh have done business. This will not change.

With a presence in both Wairarapa and Wellington, Gibson Sheat is well-placed to assist clients across the greater Wellington region. The firm’s excellent service and the additional expertise that the merger affords both regions will further benefit our combined client base.