HISTORY

The firm was founded in 1911 by Pat Feeney and Erima Northcroft at Ngaruawahia. Pat Feeney was the Property Lawyer and lived in Ngaruawahia, whereas Erima Northcroft was a Barrister and commuted to Ngaruawahia by train when required. He later became Sir Erima Northcroft, a respected Supreme Court Judge.

Bryan O'Shea, father of Dermot & John O'Shea, in 1946 after he returned from World War II, purchased the firm from Pat Feeney. The firm was then known as BD O’Shea, Barrister & Solicitor.

Dermot O’Shea joined his father in partnership in the firm at Ngaruawahia in 1972.  At that time the firm specialised in property, estates and Maori Land work.

In 1989 the firm then moved to Hamilton and when John O’Shea joined the firm in 1992 it became known as O’Sheas and practiced out of the KPMG Centre in Alexandra Street in Hamilton.

In 2000 the firm moved into bigger premises in Tristram Street in Hamilton, and Peter Jefferies joined the partnership in 2004.

The firm has experienced substantial growth over the past 10 years with a result that new premises were required and in 2005 moved to its current site at 70 Rostrevor Street, Hamilton. The practice also has an office in Te Awamutu.

At the present time the practice has a staff of 19 comprising 3 Partners, a Consulting Solicitor, 3 Staff Solicitors, a Law Graduand, 2 Legal Executives, 6 Secretaries, a Practice Manager, a Trust Account Administrator and a Receptionist.