Farewell to Steve Perkinson
From ‘treading the boards’ in Whangarei District Court, to providing expert advice in commercial and property law, Perkinson has spent the majority of his career serving Whangarei’s residents.
When asked about retirement, Perkinson recalls legendary Whangarei businessman Mike Springfield likening them both to old war horses. “Give us the smell of battle (or a new transaction) and we couldn’t resist the call,” Perkinson says.
Eventually, Perkinson decided, the time was right. He has sold his practice, Perkinson Law, to Whangarei-based firm Henderson Reeves Lawyers. The business officially changes hands on 5 August. Perkinson will stay on as a consultant to ensure a smooth transition.
Born in Otahuhu, Perkinson was a bright and sporty child. His quick mind and natural advocacy skills made law a good fit. Perkinson attended Auckland Law School and was admitted to the bar in 1970, just after his 21st birthday.
After landing a job as a Court lawyer with Whangarei firm Thorne & Dallas, Perkinson took on partnership in 1975. Soon afterwards he married wife Anne. Together they raised two sons alongside taking advantage of Northland’s scope for outdoor pursuits.
Following an eventful decade as a Court lawyer – including a defendant escaping in one of Perkinson’s old suits, and a newspaper article mistakenly reporting him as having been drinking prior to his client’s alleged offence – Perkinson handed the reigns to colleague David Hislop and moved into property law. He built considerable expertise in this area and – in later years – became an accredited specialist with New Zealand Law Society’s Property Law Section.
In 2006 Thorne, Dallas & Partners merged with Webb Ross Johnson, becoming the then-largest legal practice in Northland. Perkinson took up a consultant position with Webb Ross prior to striking out on his own.
Perkinson has seen significant changes through his career – from paper to digital transactions, faxes to emails. He has experienced the breadth of working life: partner of a small firm with no HR or managers, consulting in larger firms with specialist staff, and the independence of being a sole practitioner.
Launching Perkinson Law in 2012 saw Perkinson become a master of almost everything. “When you’re in a big firm so many things are dealt with by others – in sole practice you do everything yourself. You’ve got to keep up to date.” While challenging at times, Perkinson says he has really enjoyed his time as a sole practitioner. “I’m happy with how it’s all worked out.”
Perkinson is now looking forward to a well-deserved break, resurrecting old hobbies and spending more time with family – but first, the paperwork. “There’s plenty to do,” he laughs.