Founded in 1869, Treadwell Gordon is one of the country’s oldest law firms. We have established a solid reputation as the go-to legal firm in the community and have offices in Whanganui, Taihape, Marton, Feilding, Ohakune, and Waverley.
We offer legal services throughout New Zealand to both personal and business clients – embracing collaborative technologies and other digital tools to stay in touch and deliver solutions efficiently.
In March 1869 CH Borlase arrived from Wellington to practice in Whanganui, before joining WH Barnicoat to form Borlase & Barnicoat.
The firm’s telephone number was 1 in Whanganui’s earliest telephone directory.
Meanwhile, W J Treadwell set up practice in 1892, and shortly after joined T Lloyd to form Treadwell & Lloyd.
GS Gordon practised with C Burnett from 1904 to 1907.
1907 saw the firms come together and be known as Barnicoat Treadwell & Gordon. With Barnicoat passing away in 1909, the firm simply became Treadwell & Gordon.
Three generations of Treadwells practised with the firm over 80 years.
W J Treadwell was borough solicitor. His son C Treadwell joined in 1919 and practised until 1974, as City solicitor. His son J Treadwell joined in 1959, and carried on the family business until 1972.
GS Gordon's career could be rightly described as the "Father of the Legal Profession in Whanganui". GS Gordon’s grandson Gordon Swan practiced with firm from 1951 - 2014. His daughter Jeannie Warnock, in turn, practiced with the firm from 1981 -1996. She now practises for a prominent Wellington firm.
Three partners of Treadwell Gordon have been appointed as Judges.
Bryan Haggitt was appointed as a Judge of the Supreme Court in 1959, John Treadwell, a District Court Judge in 1972, and Michael Lance as a District Court Judge in 1988.
In 1989 the firm widened its provincial links to merge with Coleman & Co, a long established Waverley firm. Jim Coleman has been practising in Whanganui with the firm since 2007.
Since 2010 we’ve been growing in the region, merging with Flack Brown in 2014. We now have representation in the following locations Taihape, Ohakune, Hunterville, Feilding, Marton & Waverley.
In 2019 we celebrated 150 years - Whanganui Chronicle article
On 1 April 2021, the firm recognised its size and the need for a corporate governance by incorporating as Treadwell Gordon Limited.
With our 3 Directors – Simon Badger, Pétra Allen & Andrew Thomas we have a broad range of coverage for all our surrounding provincial community.
For more on our history come in and see our ‘History Wall’ in reception.
Our 39-strong legal team is second-to-none and is in growing demand. Our team is highly qualified with decades of combined experience in buying and selling property, wills, estates, family trusts, relationship property, family law matters, employment issues, commercial, and farming law as well as litigation and dispute resolution.
We prioritise upskilling our people and they regularly attend legal training programmes to stay up to date with the latest developments in the practice of law. As your legal representative, we want to ensure we provide the very best legal advice and help to you.
A big part of our ethos is understanding your needs and tailoring legal solutions to fit. We recognise that a one-size-fits-all approach will not help our clients solve their problems or reach their goals.
At Treadwell Gordon you’ll find our team is a friendly, down-to-earth bunch of people with can-do attitudes. Our team of lawyers and support staff go the extra mile to ensure your legal service is timely, provides you with the best options, and supports you to make the best decision.
Our pricing is competitive and transparent. We utilise innovative legal software and other technology solutions to drive our productivity and efficiency so that you receive value for money.
Treadwell Gordon is a member of Lawlink - an extensive legal network of 15 law firms throughout New Zealand. This resource provides further access to research and specialist legal knowledge, as and when needed, guaranteeing a total service of legal competence to our clients.
People can be hesitant when they think they may need to consult a lawyer, yet a half-hour consultation at an early stage, will often save you considerable stress and money. Timely legal advice and legal services are invaluable.
Whether you’re in business, selling your home or farm, considering a family trust, have a commercial or personal dispute, or are going through a difficult matrimonial or relationship break up, the lawyers at Treadwell Gordon will be able to help you.
Contact us today to see how we can assist you with your legal matters.
