About us.
Our skilled team are dedicated to providing professional, crafted legal advice, for peace of mind.
Every client is unique. We focus on individual needs, providing innovative and practical business-minded solutions presented in a down to earth, common-sense manner. Our unwavering goal is your successful outcome.
Our clients are at the centre of everything we do. We build enduring, ongoing relationships based on respect, understanding and consistent results.
MEET Our people
Working with us is a reassuring, straightforward process. We offer clear solutions for complex situations and direct pathways to success, giving our clients peace of mind.
Our Story.
Providing peace of mind for over one hundred years.
Move your mouse over the timeline to read our story.
1920
Upon completing his distinguished service in WWI, wounded Second Lieutenant Percy Spurdle returns to Auckland where he’s accepted to the Bar. He hangs his shingle at Yorkshire House (now the General Building) on Shortland Street and begins practising law.
That same year, New Zealand sends its very first national team to the Olympic Games in Antwerp. The four athletes endure nine weeks of travel by boat to Belgium, yet they still manage to make New Zealand proud, bringing home a bronze medal and several high ranking finishes.
1931
Howard Samuel (Bob) Davenport is admitted to the Bar. Like Percy, he chooses to set up shop at Yorkshire House. The two men strike up a congenial relationship, no doubt regularly bumping into each other in the lift.
1947
Percy and Bob make it official, forming the partnership of Spurdle Davenport.
1959
Cars travel across the brand-new Auckland Harbour Bridge for the first time. The crossing, which took four years to build, would change the fate of the rural North Shore. Once the domain of a few farmers and their livestock, the area would be developed, becoming a thriving suburb of Auckland.
1960s
In 1960, founding partner Percy Spurdle sadly passes away. The firm retains his name, and in 1961 becomes Spurdle, Davenport and Buxton when David Buxton becomes a partner. The firm continues to grow and in 1966 accepts Patrick Gibson as a partner, becoming Davenport Buxton and Gibson.
1974
The practice grows out of its single location in the CBD, opening an additional office in Henderson.
1977
The firm opens its third office in bustling Takapuna, experiencing a major uptick in picnic lunches and after-work walks on the beach. They now have three offices, over 80 staff and officially become Davenports Group.
1991
Davenports roars into the 90s with a major expansion and larger Takapuna offices. While other firms are consolidating in the city centre, Davenports makes a conscious decision to emphasise convenience and accessibility for their clients on the North Shore.
1993
Founding partner Bob Davenport sadly passes away.
1997
Tammy McLeod joins the Takapuna office. She stays for two years before leaving (albeit temporarily) to work at another boutique firm.
2000
The partners split. The three locations become distinct entities: Davenports City, Davenports West and Davenports Harbour Lawyers.
Meanwhile, the world is about to re-discover the existence of New Zealand with the release of Sir Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring. Despite increased awareness, New Zealand continues to be omitted from numerous world maps.
2004
Tammy returns to Davenports Harbour Lawyers, becoming a partner in 2004.
2016
Tammy becomes the Managing Director. With sole discretion on the expansion and direction of the firm, she grows the team from 14 to 37 people in 2022.
2017
Jeremy Parsons joins the firm and then becomes a Director in April 2018.
2020
Operating out of Albany, Davenports Harbour Lawyers becomes Davenports Law. Tammy and team celebrate 100 years in business, raising a glass to Percy, Bob and the many partners, staff and clients that made it possible.
2022
Davenports Law acquires Bell Associates and King Legal.
Meet all our People.
