A century of commitment

This year marks a century in business for law firm Cavell Leitch. Since the firm was founded in 1923, its guiding values have remained the same: to provide clients with clear advice and great service. 

The firm started from relatively humble beginnings in 1923 when Arthur Cavell operated a sole practice and then joined forces with Tam Leitch in 1938 to form Cavell & Leitch. Ian Pringle joined the firm in 1953, followed by Des Boyle in 1968. Since then, Christchurch’s prominent lawyers have contributed to the firm’s growth. 

Throughout the decades, the firm has been built on a solid foundation – client quality and unwavering commitment to providing expert legal advice to Christchurch and New Zealand. 

Michael Dickie, Principal of Cavell Leitch says, “We are proud to mark our firm’s first century in business, and we are honoured to have served generations of clients, assisting them in their legal needs and helping to navigate complex issues. It has always been a privilege to be a guiding hand during challenging times and to celebrate our clients’ successes with them.” 

Now, 100 years on, they have a large and strong team that includes genuine specialists in nearly every area of law. Their principals are leading figures in the legal community, while their brightest up-and-comers run a shadow board to drive initiatives to ensure they are meeting modern-day needs. 

Even though they have the benefit of experience and history behind them, Cavell Leitch is a firm that is continuously progressing forward. It was named one of New Zealand Lawyer’s most innovative firms for 2020 – a nod to those who break the mould to best service their clients. In 2022, and for a consecutive year in 2023, they were proud to be named one of New Zealand Lawyer’s Employers of Choice – acknowledging firms that place a focus on developing staff to their full potential. With a fully digital office, gender-balanced leadership, and a team of over 75 dedicated staff, their commitment to service, quality advice, and continuous improvement has never been stronger. 

Recently, they went through a rebranding exercise to modernise Cavell Leitch’s image. 

“While going through this process, we were united in our desire to build on our rich heritage to continue to have our clients at the heart of everything we do. Even though we might have a new colour scheme, our mission statement remains the same – we want our clients to have the best possible experience every time they work with us.” 

The business’s values reflect its continued dedication to client service; in fact, one of its key values is ‘Delight our Clients’. 

“Every day, we remind ourselves that it’s not just about the work we do; it’s about making a positive impact on the lives of those we serve. We believe that our dedication to exceeding expectations, going the extra mile, and leaving our clients with a sense of satisfaction is what sets us apart and drives our success.” 

They understand that legal matters can be confusing and stressful and that their role is to simplify the process for their clients, listen to their needs, and then provide timely, transparent, and cost-effective advice that will allow their clients to move forward with confidence. 

cavell.co.nz