Long-Time Tauranga Legal Executive Receives Honour

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

DATE November 21, 2002

Long-time Tauranga Legal Executive receives rare honour

Tauranga Legal Executive Ann Barry has been granted honorary life membership to the New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives.

She joins an exclusive group of just three other members who have been awarded honorary life membership since the Institute was established in 1975. Her career in law has spanned 35 years.

Ann's life membership acknowledges her hard work, determination, wisdom and the encouragement she has given other Legal Executives during her long career. She has trained many secretaries and Legal Executives, has specialised in subdivision work and is widely recognised for her willingness to share knowledge. She is held in high regard by the Institute, her peers and her clients.

In 1966, Ann began her career at Tauranga's Holland Beckett Maltby where her husband, Dick, was a partner. As a law clerk in those early years, she received a thorough grounding in practical aspects of legal work and, when the new position of Legal Executives was established in 1975, she was nominated by senior partner, the late W.S. Holland, to fulfil the Legal Executive's role for the firm.

During her more than 25 years as a member of the Institute, Ann has seen many new developments including the introduction of formal qualifications for Legal Executives, the establishment of Institute branches throughout the country, significantly increased awareness of the value of Legal Executives by employers and more positive communication with the New Zealand and District Law Societies. She has also seen the development enabling Fellows of the Institute to take statutory declarations, a position previously the domain of lawyers. "I've always been proud to be a Legal Executive. I am very grateful to the people who have worked with me and who have assisted, encouraged and believed in me over the years," she says.

The New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives has about 650 members and has been instrumental in setting standards and recognising professionalism in the field.

A photograph is available on request.

The New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives is a non-profit incorporated Society with approximately 650 members. The Institute advances, promotes and protects the status and interests of Legal Executives. Legal Executives are skilled in many aspects of the law and most hold the New Zealand Law Society Legal Executive Certificate. They are often the 'right arm' of lawyers. They act with a high degree of autonomy and independence in the legal firms where most of them work and, though not qualified as Barristers and Solicitors, they are required to have the same high ethical standards and to know and understand most aspects of the law.. For further information visit www.nzile.co.nz

For more information contact: Jo Buckton, Administration Officer, 09 535 3596

New Zealand Institute of Legal Executives
P.O. Box 24 173
Royal Oak
Auckland

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