It all started in 1896, when Henry Sharp opened his law practice on the Strand in Tauranga’s city centre. He then invited fellow lawyer, Archie Tudhope to join him, 15 years later. They literally ‘joined up’ by using bullocks to pull their two offices together on Spring Street! 125 years ago they set a precedent for innovative business thinking, and we’ve never wavered from this approach!
In 1992 we joined the community in celebrating the opening of Route P on the Waikareo Expressway. The same year we acknowledged our involvement in the opening of the BOP Polytechnic’s Bongard Centre on Cameron Rd. In 1996, to mark our 100 years in business, Partner Bruce Gordon officially handed over a painting by Tauranga artist Arthur Dagley to then Tauranga Mayor, Noel Pope. Gifted by Sharp Tudhope to the city, the painting depicted Tauranga Harbour Bridge and environs.
Over the years, Sharp Tudhope has also acted for many of the organisations in the city and our partners have led the way in the legal sector.
In 1985, partner Bruce D’Young recognised the advantages in medium sized legal practices throughout New Zealand combining to pool their resources. This enabled them to provide an increasingly sophisticated range of services and be more responsive to the changing needs of society. It was this thinking that saw Sharp Tudhope take an instrumental role in setting up the Lawlink organisation. Within two years, Lawlink boasted a network of 21 independent legal firms with Bruce as Chair.
Founded in 1896
50 people in their team
Sharp Tudhope has the most experienced team of corporate and commercial lawyers in the Bay, helping businesses flourish and grow.
We provide innovative, strategic and commercial legal advice to local and international businesses across a wide range of sectors.
Our team of experts are well positioned to take your business to the next level. We take the time to get to know each business we work with, so that a clear strategy is formed, and work to provide sound, practical and cost-effective advice in a timely manner.
Ultimately, it is our people that sets us apart from other law firms. Their unrivalled knowledge and commitment to personal service is why generations of businesses choose to work with us.
Our Expertise includes
Agribusiness
Capital Raising
Corporate Structures and Restructures
Company Incorporation
Commercial Contracts
Compliance and Corporate Governance
Constitutions and Shareholder Agreements
Energy
Finance
Financial Services Regulation
General Competition Law
Infrastructure and Projects
Joint Ventures
Limited Partnerships
Mergers and Acquisitions
Private Equity and Venture Capital
Sale and Purchase of Businesses
Share Issues
Syndications
Takeovers
We also provide general business advice and help with succession planning – so whether you’re looking to start a new business or to exit an old one, we’re here to help.
Employment investigations are becoming more common and more complex. WorkSafe recommends that all employers have someone who is independent and impartial to investigate allegations of bullying. Employers are legally required investigate complaints of sexual and racial harassment. Even disciplinary investigations can contain traps for the unwary.
The reality is, many employers do not have the time or expertise to conduct an investigation.
If you need to investigate a staff complaint or serious misconduct, it may be time to call in an employment investigator.
How we can help
We are independent. That means any information gathered is unbiased, and our conclusions are based on facts.
We advise on
Timeframes for the investigation
The investigation process
Interviews with employees under investigation
Interviews with witnesses
Final report, including recommendations, if requested
Disputes can take a huge toll on your finances, health and emotional wellbeing. Our experienced team of litigators will help resolve your dispute as quickly and effectively as possible.
We provide expert, confidential legal advice to individuals, trustees and businesses of all sizes across a broad range of industries. We will listen to your needs and get to the heart of the matter to find the best possible solution.
We’ve been helping clients buy and sell properties for more than a century. Our highly experienced team of property lawyers will help you minimise stress and ensure your property transaction is completed as smoothly as possible.
We enjoy working closely with clients – whether buying your first home or navigating house and land package contracts, to subdivisions and development projects, our property lawyers team will provide sound, pragmatic advice from start to finish.
Commercial property owners and businesses acquiring or disposing of property interests can be sure that we will work to identify risks, and offer solutions that are legally robust, commercially appropriate and cost-effective.
We also strive to communicate any work our property lawyers undertake for clients in a clear manner to ensure you understand your position.
When relationships come to an end due to separation or death, a couple’s property, business and other assets must be divided up.
The Property (Relationships) Act 1976 outlines how this is to be done. But married couples, civil union partners and de facto couples can choose to draw up their own ‘contracting out’ agreement in advance to determine what happens in these circumstances.
Our team specialise in drafting these agreements so you can have peace of mind going forward in your relationship.
If you do split up and no agreement is in place, we also offer confidential, empathetic and practical advice on how best to proceed. We’ll help you resolve any relationship property disputes and advise you on how best to structure and protect your personal and business assets following a separation.
Setting up a Trust and writing a Will are two key legal matters we specialise in. We have a large team of experts who know the ins and outs of drawing up these documents and what you should consider when doing so.
Trusts are a useful tool to protect assets for you, your family or on someone else’s behalf. We take the time to get to know your individual circumstances so we can structure your affairs accordingly.
