Friday, April 29, 2011

End of an era

It seems appropriate to start this blog as my law firm comes to an end of an era.  Today is the last day in our current premises before our Wellington office relocates to new digs on Monday.

I feel a little nostalgic.  We’ve been in this building since 1992. I started practice in 1994. So for me it’s like we’ve always been here.  But it’s time to move.  We’ve basically outgrown our building.  Over the last 15 years we’ve gone from 2.5 floors to 4.  It’s just not an efficient way to run a business when you are spread over 4 floors.

There are a lot of things bad about our current building.  Lack of natural light.  Its earthquake risk.  A “cafĂ©” in the ground floor which is a relic from the 70s.  Numerous dead spaces that are great for hide and seek but perhaps not so useful for a law firm.  But there’s still that feeling of throwing away a favourite jumper or pair of jeans.  There’s a limit to how many times you can patch the elbows or knees.  But eventually you get to that point.

It’s been a long journey.  We have 120 staff in our Wellington office.  There aren’t that many options for an organisation our size.  Wellington has a compact CBD which means that there is not that much rental stock available.  Wellington is also home to all the various Government ministries of “this ‘n that” which further decreases supply.


It’s amazing the amount of junk I have accumulated over the last 15 years.  Study notes from Patent Attorney exams I sat in 1994-1996.  Client gadget samples.  Paper and yet more paper.  My office has never looked so tidy.

Looking forward to the new building!

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...