Warwick Deuchrass
Director, Anderson Lloyd
Why did you become a board member of Lawlink?
Before the year 2000 I didn't know much about Lawlink (having joined Anderson Lloyd through its merger with Caudwells). I decided to join the board in order to get actively involved in Lawlink. I wanted to understand it, and the value it could offer Anderson Lloyd and other member firms. I see my role as ensuring that Lawlink continues to strive to meet and exceed its members' needs.
What value does Lawlink add to its member firms, staff within those firms, and clients of those firms?
Lawlink firms benefit from buying privileges, particularly PI insurance and the banking package. The Lawlink precedents are of huge value to member firms. The Lawlink Board makes sure that these are reviewed on an ongoing basis to ensure their quality and usefulness.
Publications such as the magazine and booklets on trusts and business law are available to end clients and are a useful marketing tool for the member firms. Lawyers who write articles for the magazine gain exposure throughout the Lawlink network.
During the year, Lawlink runs managers' conferences, IT conferences and an annual conference for member firms. We work hard to secure appropriate experts who can present on best practice. Time is given to enable members to learn from each other, and these meetings provide great collegiality.
Our staff benefit from the banking package and the opportunity to participate in Lawlink conferences, thereby building up good relationships with their peers around the country. From time to time we introduce staff, looking to move to another part of New Zealand, to another Lawlink firm - making it easier for them to find a new job.
Where do you see the future of Lawlink?
Lawlink has the ability to provide a platform of excellence, which member firms can leverage to improve their businesses. If we, at Lawlink, can proactively uncover and communicate best practice to our members in a whole raft of areas such as HR, IT, marketing and legal, then we are helping them. That's what we're striving to do.