The firm
that leads

We relish our position and reputation as an innovative and leading law firm. In a market crowded by legal tradition, we choose to look to the future. We embrace technology and see it as a tool to better serve our clients, and we are constantly pushing the boundaries of legal know-how. We are not content to stand still. We never stop learning and improving.

people stood talking

Separating ourselves from the pack

Being the firm that leads allows us to constantly challenge ourselves to deliver more value and high quality legal work. It also enables us to work on the largest, most complex and high-value transactions, projects and disputes in New Zealand.

Recent news

Our firm

Not only do we work with our clients to help them succeed, but we are at the forefront of regulatory change, using our knowledge and expertise to shape a better future for all New Zealand.

Recent insights

Our culture is unique

It drives our success. Our values enable us to think and act in ways that challenge the perceptions of a traditional law firm and underpin the relationships we have with our clients and with each other.

Supporting our clients

OUR VALUES

Astute
demonstrating outstanding business and legal judgement

Collaborative
collaborating seamlessly across teams

People
being leaders in our firm and the community. Creating a sense of belonging and embracing diversity

Integrity
being accountable when our values are not lived

Dynamic
being agile and courageous

Manaakitanga

Respect & reciprocity – with our team, our clients, and our community. Through our work we lift your mana and you lift ours. 

We want our workplace to reflect the society in which we work and operate in – having a diverse workforce is important not only to deliver top quality work, but to ensure our clients and community can be served by people they can relate to, and who advocate for them.

What it's like to work with us

We wholeheartedly embrace manaakitanga; we nurture and respect one another regardless of life experience, gender, religion, ethnicity, sexuality or physical ability.

Everyday, we will be guided by the following principles:

community

authenticity

no judgement

empowerment

progress

Our history

Chapman Tripp was first established in 1875 by Martin Chapman, as a one-man practice in Wellington. He was joined in partnership by William Fitzgerald in 1882 and then by Leonard Owen Howard Tripp in 1889, who spent a record 69 years with the firm. In 1962 we became the first law firm in New Zealand to have offices in both Auckland and Wellington, and in late 1997 we opened our Christchurch office.