Justin Cotton’s 30 year Lovegrove and Cotton Anniversary Event Speech
30 years is a long time, but I have been a part of the team for 21 years of that.
When I first went to the firm in August 2002, ‘fresh off the plane’, I went to our offices at 555 King Street, West Melbourne.
My job interview was with Kim, and I knew it would not be your regular job interview when his first question was about the New Zealand All Blacks.
By coincidence, my younger brother had been taught by Kim in around 1984, so I missed out on having Kim as a school teacher by about 2 years.
First Impressions of the Legal Work
At the outset, I was given the title of “General Counsel”.
This was quite daunting, because my two years’ experience in New Zealand had mainly been in family law and minor criminal matters.
I didn’t even know how to draft a Points of Claim or Points of Defence.
Instead, my experience was more in preparing Affidavits in family law disputes.
As it happened, I got to do my first mediation in the second week, and was in a Compulsory Conference with Deputy President Cathy Aird by my third week.
That was not a bright start. The venerable Member Cathy Aird candidly took issue with my using of a position paper of about 8 pages when the practice note allowed only a 4 page paper.
What is the best part of this firm?
Having worked at another firm some years ago the experience wasn’t as collegiate. A smaller firm under the right leadership, which we have, can adapt better to change.
In our firm there is a team culture, an absence of ‘politics’ and an open-door policy of sharing ideas (and files).
There truly is a diversity of backgrounds and it is a bit of a “cultural melting pot” within a small team.
It’s fair to say we “walk the walk” on diversity rather than just “talk the talk”.
Kim Lovegrove
While it is true that Kim may have tendency to throw new lawyers (or paralegals) “into the deep end”, his strategic nous on files has been highly valued by me.
On a high level, or conceptual level, I think his strategy advice is critical in what we all do.
As he likes to call it “helicoptering in”.
Over the years I’ve always been in awe of the sheer number of people that Kim knows in Melbourne. He seems to be like a data bank of contacts.
And of course, his ability to “sell coals to Newcastle”. He is very good at managing clients.
The future is bright for the firm
The future is looking bright – for potentially another 30 years.
Ziggy, Kim’s wife, is a new lawyer since late last year. She always acts with a lot of composure and grace under pressure.
It is not uncommon for her to go the extra yard and work until 1 am if needed; even before she was a lawyer.
Ziggy and I will take the firm forward for the next three decades and build upon three decades of momentum in our quest to become the top boutique construction law firm in the antipodes.
Ahmad has been with us since November last year and he is fantastic to work with.
Cameron is a senior paralegal, but soon to be a lawyer joining us later this year.
For me he is the ‘go to’ person for document collation from dropbox, as I am a bit of a technophobe. It is great having him on board.
Last but not least, thanks to all our clients and contacts. It is great to see so many here tonight.
Thank you all for coming and I hope you enjoy your night.
September 2022. Kim presented Justin with two Australian icons:
Penfolds Grange and Penfolds 707 to celebrate the occasion.
Please see below for related addresses and photos:
Ziggy Lovegrove 30th Anniversary Speech
