Passing the torch
- 9 hours ago
- 2 min read
Our firm, through its predecessor practices, has been serving the people of Northland for more than 100 years. Over that time, we have continued to evolve to meet the needs of our community — renewing our team and, at times, our location — while remaining committed to the same trusted service.
In recent years, we have been moving through another important stage of that journey. The ‘old guard’ is slowly stepping back, and a new generation of lawyers is stepping forward to lead the firm into the future.

Dennis McBrearty, Simon Dominick and Richard Ayton — each with more than 40 years practicing on the clock — have been transitioning into Consultant roles. As part of this process, Dennis McBrearty is now planning to retire fully from the practice. Simon and Richard will continue as working Consultants, and Dennis will remain available for advice if needed. All three are committed to ensuring a smooth and positive transition and are looking forward to the next stage of their lives.
For many years, Laurel Simm and Graham Day have worked closely alongside the ‘old guard’, building strong relationships with our clients and gaining a deep understanding of the communities we serve. They are now taking the controls and driving the business into its next chapter. Laurel Simm is the firm’s Managing Director and will be the main point of contact for any enquiries, including any questions relating to the transition following the retirement of a Director. Together, Laurel and Graham lead a talented team of lawyers and legal executives who represent the next generation of trusted legal advisors for Northland.
This transition has been carefully planned, and our commitment to providing practical, reliable legal advice remains unchanged. However, if you have any questions or would simply like to talk things through, please contact Laurel at laurel@lawnorth.co.nz




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