People are everything to Mackenzie Elvin Law
WORDS NICKY ADAMS PHOTOS WAYNE TAIT + SUPPLIED
As a company that believes in being accessible to its clientele and grounded in its approach to law, Mackenzie Elvin Law has carved out a niche that certainly sets itself apart.
Founded in the early 1980s by Fiona Mackenzie, husband Graeme Elvin, and good friend and long- term business partner Marcus Wilkins, from the outset all three valued long-term relationships, recognising the value of interconnectedness with their clients. They didn’t believe in the model of just selling legal services for a fee. Despite exceptional reputations in their field – or perhaps because of them – the solid three chose to remain tight-knit.
However, the last few years have seen a need to grow to meet demand, and as a result the business has expanded from the original three partners to seven, and a team of 30-plus staff. Nevertheless, the same core values that the firm was based on have remained at the heart. Chatting with two of the partners, Rebecca Savage and Tom Elvin, what becomes very clear is that from their perspective the growth of the firm has been strategic, rather than simply reactionary.
What is also obvious is the wonderful synergy between the colleagues; Rebecca is empathetic and quick to connect with, and is exceptionally smart (she boasts a Masters of Law from the University of Cambridge), experienced and a wonderful communicator. Tom is someone you innately want to helm your ship: Simultaneously focussed and sharp, but still humorous and invested. Both agree that the common thread running through all the partners are the key qualities of competency, capability and cultural fit. Maturing over the last five years or so into a more diverse entity, expansion started with the addition of Tom Elvin.
Having worked in Auckland since he graduated, Tom brought experience in commercial property and construction law in both a corporate environment as well as with a small boutique specialist. Tom could see that within Mackenzie Elvin was “the opportunity and timing to grow and transition from a tightly-held business into a more complex organization which could serve the growing city and beyond.” Being intentional about the company’s transformation has been driven by the pillars; Fiona, Graeme and Marcus, and it has meant a specific controlled and intentional growth. For Rebecca, a chance meeting with Tom in 2018 led to another with Fiona, and straightaway Rebecca knew that she had met her perfect match, even though it meant a change in the scope of law she was practising. “Fiona and I just clicked really well and had such a strong connection.” For Tom this proves the firm’s founding values were continuing on, through the new generation; “Rebecca has admirable attributes, style and competency, and knew that she could have a meaningful and fulfilling career with us.” Clearly the move from litigation to family law is serendipitious for Rebecca; as she reflects on how she loves bringing her compassion and ability to listen to every case.
Thomas Refoy-Butler, a good friend of Tom’s, had – unbeknown to him – been earmarked as the perfect fit for the company. With a high level of experience in civil litigation, a practice area the firm was keen to move into, Tom started the “slow burn” of luring him to Tauranga and into the fold. Sure enough, he moved from Auckland and the already established relationship allows for a dynamic that, says Tom, is “like adopted siblings – you can disagree in a meaningful and effective way and get the best outcome.” Rebecca agrees. “Not only are his legal skills amazing, but there’s a whole pile of personal attributes that give you a lot of confidence.”
Jason Bywater-Lutman is the latest addition to the team of partners, and similarly was identified as someone with unquestionable business acumen. What sets him apart is not just his level of competency and effectiveness in his field of commercial property, but, as Tom notes, the fact that “he holds himself with a very high level of decorum and respect; he fits what we stand for and what we are building.” With the change of pace in what started out as a family firm, now comes a much more intentional commitment to maintaining the original ethos. By treating staff well, the company has employees that have been with them for over 30 years. Community ventures have always been strongly supported, spearheaded by Fiona, Graeme and Marcus. Indeed, Fiona and Marcus partnered with the University of Waikato Tauranga Campus to put on the Justice Susan Glazebrook talk, which was both an investment in the University and a way of facilitating discussion about wider legal issues. Community-vested projects are massive for them, as Tom points out: “Working here means that you’re part of the community that you’re living in. If you need to do that in work time, we make space for it.”
Ultimately, the culture and the professional fit are important because they allow Mackenzie Elvin Law to achieve its central purpose – which is the service it provides. How the company sets itself apart remains the same as ever: Accessibility. Tom is clear: “We make sure that every new client is seen first by one of our decision makers; a partner. We want to understand exactly what you are going through, and how we can help.”