Legal Insights | Cooney Lees Morgan Tauranga

CLM Announces New CFO and COO Appointments

Two new senior leadership roles are being established at Cooney Lees Morgan, with Kriselle Uerata appointed Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Lee-Anne Roycroft becoming Chief Operating Officer (COO), marking a significant step in our firm’s continued growth.

Who is obligated to maintain the drain?

Legal disputes about stormwater drains regularly arise between neighbouring property owners and with local authorities. Often there is uncertainty about whether a drain is public or private and who has obligations to maintain the drain. The recent High Court decision of Atkinson v Waipā District Council [2025] NZHC 4025 provides helpful guidance on duties and...

Jasmine Daroch Wins Prestigious Australasian Legal Award

Cooney Lees Morgan Associate Jasmine Daroch is now recognised as one of Australasia’s top young lawyers after being named a ‘Future Legal Leader’ for 2026. Awarded by Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer, the accolade is highly competitive, celebrating a select group of lawyers aged 35 and under who are making a significant impact on the...

Resource Management Experts Join CLM’s Partnership

Cooney Lees Morgan is strengthening its partnership with the appointment of Kate Stubbing and Rachael Zame, marking a significant step for the firm at a time of rapid change.

Aimee Cox Steps into Senior Solicitor Role

Cooney Lees Morgan has promoted Aimee Cox to Senior Solicitor, recognising her strong early-career achievements and the high quality of work she contributes to our litigation team.

Employers, are you ready? We’ll help you make sense of the latest amendments to the Employment Relations Act.

The Employment Relations Amendment Bill is now in force, introducing significant changes to the Employment Relations Act 2000 that are directly relevant to employers. For businesses, the amendments create opportunities to reduce risk, increase flexibility, and revisit existing employment and contractor arrangements. Below we outline the key changes and what employers should be doing now....

Thirty Years, Three Careers, One Unbreakable Bond

Three desks in our Property & Development team sit just metres apart – a small distance that reflects three decades of friendship, adventures, triumphs and heartache.

Think Your Data Is Safe? Think Again.

When a fried chicken chain has tighter cybersecurity than our digital health providers, it’s time to admit something’s wrong. With the Manage My Health privacy breach dominating headlines through the start of 2026, the lack of a penalty regime under the Privacy Act 2020 has been a hot topic of conversation for many. In New...

AI will make my legal bill cheaper, right?

There is a lot of talk about AI and the efficiencies it can deliver, so it’s easy to think there’s no downside to using AI for legal disputes or when communicating with your lawyer. While AI is a powerful tool with plenty to offer, we are increasingly seeing situations where its use actually increases clients’...

Launch Sequence

Step-by-step legal programme for startups

All together for a new CLM look

Cooney Lees Morgan has been delivering legal excellence for over a century, with roots reaching back to 1918.

CLM’s Modern Legacy

Celebrating Over a Century of Legal Excellence

Is your family trust romance proof?

When love and romance are involved, it’s not always easy to discuss what the future may hold if things don’t go to plan. Our family law team can provide expert advice that carefully treads the fine line between asset protection and family relationships.

Honouring family relationships and the law

Our seven specialists in the area of family law have over 90 years of combined experience.

Sustainability and Climate Change Update – April 2026

Sustainability and Climate Change Update – April 2026 There continues to be a lot happening in the climate change and sustainability space. This update is set against a backdrop of rising petrol and diesel prices, driven by the USA-Iran conflict, reigniting debate about New Zealand’s electrification programme. At the same time, communities are beginning the...

Cooney Lees Morgan Backs Tauranga Talent Push

Great legal careers shouldn’t require sacrificing the life you want to live. That’s why we are proud to support the Work Life Tauranga initiative led by Priority One.