Govett, Quilliam & Co.
Solicitors
From the archives
1985 - 1996
Sound on off
During his job search in New Plymouth, Paul was wooed with several offers, one including a Skoda company car. Little did the employer know, Paul secretly cringed at the thought of cruising around in the Skoda, convinced it might earn him a reputation as the office's 'fashion don't.' So he gracefully turned down the offer and headed to GQ instead. On days when his wife Kaye had the Mini, Paul resorted to hitchhiking to work—usually punctual, unless he was picked up by a Skoda, prompting a brisk walk instead.
14 Brougham Street soon expanded to occupy the entire building and the one next door. As the practice grew, the premises—affectionately known as the "rabbit warren"—began to show its age. To add to the discomfort, a pigeon infestation had taken hold. And then there was the incident of the rat, in which Solicitor Howard Clare heroically chased the rodent onto the street, inadvertently sending it into a women's fashion shop, prompting a search for new premises when the store employee, let's just say, had a flair for the dramatic.
Back in the day, sorting the mail was serious business and the lifeblood of communication long before electronic notifications. Partners at the firm were entrusted with the daily deluge, and Paul, as Junior Partner, inherited this responsibility, often spending an hour meticulously sifting through envelopes and parcels. Today, overflowing letterboxes have given way to technology, reducing the responsibility to just a few minutes. While the art of mail sorting has diminished, Paul continues this tradition with passion, perhaps tinged with nostalgia for the 'good old days.
Govett, Quilliam & Co.
Solicitor's Tech
Dictaphones: In the days of yore, solicitors would dictate case notes, letters, and documents into a dictaphone, saving their thoughts onto cassette tapes.
Typewriter: The recordings would be handed off to the 'typing ladies' in their bustling typewriting room. The steady rhythm of keys clicking filled the space, punctuated by the ding of a carriage return, turning dictations into crisp, organised documents.
Office Attire: The attire was strict. The men had to keep their suit jackets —no exceptions! The women wore 'uniforms,' sky-blue custom-made dresses, ensuring that everyone looked sharp and professional while tackling the day's legal challenges.
Fun Fact
Cigarettes and Whiskey: Cigarettes and whiskey decanters were the office's unofficial trophies for when a deal was struck. As soon as the ink dried, the air would fill with the unmistakable aroma of smoke and spirits, as they gathered around to celebrate.
Instant coffee and tea: Instant coffee and tea were what fueled the lawyers and their clients so the 'Tea Lady' held a crucial role in this caffeine-fueled ecosystem—armed with a teapot in one hand and an instant coffee brew in the other, she made her rounds, delivering much-needed cups of energy.
DEED OF LEASE
Govett, Quilliam & Co.
BARRISTERS AND SOLICITORS
LEGAL HOUSE
14 BROUGHAM STREET, NEW PLYMOUTH, N.Z.
PAUL FRANKLIN AND THE
GOVETT, QUILLIAM & CO. TEAM
TELEPHONE 80·884
P.O. BOX 742
TELEGRAPHIC ADDRESS
“GOVETT”
NEW PLYMOUTH.
YOUR REF............
OUR REF.............

GQ was always ahead of the curve. The first Taranaki law firm to get with the times and use computers, and the first to have a female partner, Susan Hughes. GQ partners used to travel the country visiting other big law firms, and they came back with the realisation that the diversification in age and gender and way of thinking at GQ was really rather unique and a huge asset. Talk about the law of attraction, for it was this foundation that enabled the company to grow exponentially, so much so that soon new premises were required.

Cue 1 Dawson Street and the radical future of Govett Quilliam

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