Hesketh Henry's young brigade aims for entrepreneurs

By Naomi Mahon

Friday 31st May 2002

Auckland-based law firm Hesketh Henry has launched a new division called Spark! to provide legal services to entrepreneurs and startup companies.

Set up last month by five young lawyers within the firm, Spark! already has a number of clients, one of which is txtsms - recently launched by Auckland entrepreneurs Deborah Ferris and Troy Elliott.

Spark! team member Atu Siwatibau advises entrepreneurs on how to start and develop businesses in software and website development, engineering consultancy, GPS technology solutions, clothing, import and retail, and cartoon animation.

Other team members are Emma Lawford, specialising in commercial and tax matters; Scott Whitaker, banking and finance transactions; Monica Krishna, structuring and protecting businesses; and Anja Mahon, terms and conditions of trade, distribution and supply agreements and banking and finance.

Mr Siwatibau said the idea to create Spark! arose because young lawyers in the firm felt large commercial clients were run by older people who didn't really want to talk to junior lawyers.

"So we came up with the idea of targeting new companies and young entrepreneurs who would rather talk to us than the old brigade," Mr Siwatibau said.

"Spark! is about providing young entrepreneurs with young lawyers who are eager to learn about their business and help them grow."

Hesketh Henry is not the only law firm to target the small business and entrepreneurs but Mr Siwatibau believes Spark!'s difference is the team is backed by a big firm and is still flexible enough to meet clients' needs.

For young companies Spark! offers an attractive package because team members are charged out at a lower rate than senior solicitors and partners.

Mr Siwatibau admits the bill for Spark! clients may be less than usual. "But one thing we won't do is compromise the legal advice given. If we think an issue needs to be delegated higher up the chain we will do so, regardless of the charge-out rate," he said.

Mr Siwatibau said Spark! was willing to be flexible on billing. The Spark! team recognised young companies' need to know how much they would be spending in any timeframe.

"We also recognise that if we are to consider ourselves a business partner we have to bear some of the business risk."

Erich Bachman, Hesketh Henry's managing partner, who reluctantly admitted he was a baby-boomer, confirmed the firm's management was right behind the new initiative.

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