MostlyLegal

100 Years of Law Practice West of Auckland

100 years of deeds, disputes and defendants – from the Waitākere Ranges to the Whau River, Avondale to Waimauku. How law practice developed on the western edge of a growing city, and insights into those who practised it – from the office, bar, bench, business, politics and beyond.

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The first solicitor to open in West Auckland travelled by train and worked from the local pub, on a metalled road with the bush at his back – building a practice one handshake at a time.

His first file was tied with a pink ribbon, following centuries-old UK practice, as the first of tens of thousands over the following 100 years.

Mostly Legal follows that 100-year journey through the lawyers, the firms, the courthouse and beyond. Drawn from archives, interviews and memories of old, it is an unexpectedly moving account of how the ordinary business of law shaped a corner of New Zealand and its community.

The history focuses on the lives of those within the profession. It is not intended as a legal treatise, although some significant developments in law and notable cases within it are featured, as are the development of a modern and innovative Court. Mostly Legal traces the people and events within and without the law, and, with a light touch, the history of West Auckland, its community and business enterprises are traced.

This lawyer answered all incoming calls himself. This particular call went on for a minute or two, the caller clearly wanting some free legal advice. Eventually the lawyer stopped the flow, shouting ‘What do you think this is – dial a lawyer?!’ and slammed the phone down; his conversation with me continued seamlessly.

What does being one of ten, with forebears from a solid West Coast family, a Diploma in Physical Education, teaching physical education and junior maths, a second-lieutenant rank in the Territorials, and time working in the mines of Australia in the 1980s tell you about someone? Clearly, that she is going to be a lawyer!

When asked as to her ethnicity by a family lawyer, she replied with daring inclusivity – ‘Westie’.

Mostly Legal – softcover, standing upright

NZ$50including GST

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About the author

Bernie Allen

Bernie Allen

Bernie Allen grew up in the 1950s in a home that was a short walk to Henderson Primary School, the town centre, Falls Park and its creek.

In the summer of 1969 he married Mary Lipanovich and began a 52-year career in law, initially as a law clerk in the heart of Henderson. Mary and Bernie have a family of three children, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild, with much of their home life lived in the Hobsonville area.

A man of many interests, Bernie brings to the writing of this law history a deep knowledge of his beloved West and its people, including the legal, sporting, business, charitable and church communities. He has provided advice to and learnt much from the clients he has acted for and has forged many strong and enduring friendships. In serving these clients, he has had valuable help from myriad colleagues, some for as long as four decades.

Mostly Legal has been an enormous and demanding project but the enriching experience of expanding his knowledge of the profession in the West has been immensely rewarding. As a former representative rugby prop, Bernie has put his shoulder down into the scrum, engaged, and remained so until completion of this project.

Mostly Legal is Bernie’s third book, following his collected poems Inamata (2001), and The Jesus Mood: Life through the eyes of a six-year-old boy (2004).

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Mostly Legal

Softcover · Bernie Allen

NZ$50

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