Business South November 2021

16 | REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT AWS Legal Legal experts get an office to match T Russell Fredric AWS Legal is moving into a new premises in the heart of Invercargill’s city centre. Building Southland for over 50 years We Specialise In All Types Of - Commercial Construction - Design & Builds Maintenance Work 78 Otepuni Avenue, PO Box 6051, Invercargill 9812 Invercargill 03 216 9002 | Queenstown 03 442 1311 Email: info@hendersonconstruction.co.nz www. hendersonconstruction .co.nz Building Contractors and Painters Since 1970 HCL H ENDERSON C ONSTRUCTION L TD Construction Cost Consultants Project Managers Southern Quantity Surveyors 109 Gala Street, INVERCARGILL PH: (03) 218-6544 WEB: www.sqs.co.nz EMAIL: admin@sqs.co.nz Industrial • Commercial • Residential “Quality Solutions delivered on Time” INVERCARGILL QUEENSTOWN DUNEDIN CHRISTCHURCH A WS Legal Invercargill is on the move, with the grand opening of their new office taking place on 1 November. The exciting new development, in the heart of Invercargill’s city centre, has arisen from the need for the expanding firm’s premises to better reflect the modern practice of law. Founded in 1890, AWS Legal has occupied its current premises, built by long-stand- ing construction firm Calder Stewart, since 1989. Given Calder Stewart’s connection with the deep south, and their previous success working alongside AWS, it is fitting that they have once again been chosen to help create a modern workspace for the growing team. AWS Legal Chair of Partners, Rachel Lindsay says working with Calder Stewart has been a fantastic experience. “We are delighted to have the opportunity to work with one of the firm’s clients, to create this new purpose-built space.” One of the largest firms in the region, AWS Legal employs 90 staff across six regional offices. It operates practice group structure, with five core speciality teams: Private Client, Property & Projects, Rural, Commercial and Advocacy. This means lawyers within each team have in-depth knowledge in their areas of specialty. Having outgrown their current building, the new space has been designed to reflect modern work practices and technological advancements. Despite the new building being the same size - at 1100 square metres - clever design and thought-out spacial planning means it will better serve staff and clients while providing a beautiful and uplifting place to work. The current building has staff split between two levels, while the new building creates a distinction between the ground floor recep- tion and meeting areas with the first floor being dedicated to staff work spaces. Long gone are the days of separate offices. AWS Legal’s new space is designed to embrace open plan working, to help create a collabora- tive friendly environment. The goal is to increase staff creativity and teamwork, leading to better client outcomes. Technology has changed the way in which we work, with video calling being an everyday occurrence in the post-Covid world. Dedicated areas for video calls are one of the many ways the firm is increasing efficiencies – utilising modern technology to improve service. A new space is also a part of AWS Legal’s strategy to create a work environment that staff enjoy, and help attract new talent to the region. Alongside flexible working arrange- ments, the firm is taking a contemporary approach to the 21st century work space as a way to entice young lawyers into the region. At present the Invercargill city centre is undergoing a huge resurgence, with many major businesses, community organisations, and even the local council spending millions of dollars on new buildings and infrastructure in the heart of Southland. “As a firm, we are committed to investing in Invercargill, and the Southland region” Rachel says. The new AWS Legal building is one of the first to be completed as a part of the revitali- sation of the city centre. “It’s a significant investment which repre- sents the confidence of the partnership in the future of the city. AWS is proud of its long history in Invercargill, and of our reputation for the high level of service we provide our clients. We are very excited to also be leaders in improving the infrastructure on offer in our home city, too.”