After 21 years at Gallie Miles, Sue Garmonsway is signing off from the firm in mid-June. She is looking forward to spending more time with family and friends and focusing on some of her other passions including teaching law. We’re looking back on her career, where she’s seen the firm go from dictating on a tape recorder to embracing technology and developing a new generation of Lawyers. Read on below.
As a Law Graduate, Sue Garmonsway spent the first two years of her legal career working in the Hamilton District Court as a Research Counsel. Before that, while at law school, she spent her days working for the District Court Judges, typing court depositions on a typewriter.
Living in Te Awamutu at the time, she applied for a job at Gallie Miles in January 2004. She says it was a natural progression after her 2-year District Court stint and started with the firm as a General Solicitor.
That was more than 21 years ago.
At the time, Gallie Miles was known locally for family law and general legal work, having been founded by John Gallie and Linda Miles in the early 1990s.
Sue laughs at how things have changed since those early days.
“As you can imagine, there have been a lot of technological developments over my career! Back then we were still using typewriters and everything was paper based,” she says.
“We used a dictation device that was attached to the wall with a mini cassette. Our secretary would then listen to the dictation and type it up, so there was a lot of double handing and a lot of paper.”
The firm continued to grow, and as time went on, John Gallie was keen to step back. Sue took over John’s Resource Management and Local Government practice he’d built up and worked mostly in the property law space.
She went on to become a Gallie Miles director in 2016, and focused her legal practice on succession planning, rural property and commercial law.
When looking back, Sue says she’s been privileged to work with so many great people across generations.
“The thing I’ve enjoyed most is watching clients come to me with a goal and I’ve been able to work alongside them to achieve that goal,” she says.
“I can think of one client where I originally worked for the parents. I watched their kids leave school and get their first job on a farm, then saw them move onto contract milking and then eventually farm ownership. Now those kids are sending me pictures of their own kids,” she says.
“I’ve worked with lots of clients who have come in saying they’re looking to exit their farm, whether they’re transitioning to the next generation or a new owner. It’s a huge change for them and incredibly stressful, and I’d like to think I’ve helped make that transition smoother and less stressful.”
“As far as that Lawyer / Client relationship goes, things have shifted. It used to be that old-school approach of ‘doing exactly what your Lawyer tells you to do,’ whereas now it’s about being a part of my client’s businesses. In that equation, they’re at the centre – I am there to support them and help them reach their goals.”
“My job has always been to give them all of the information they need to make an informed decision. Then it’s their job to make the decision.”
Sue says that another rewarding side of her legal career has been developing the next generation of talent within Gallie Miles and helping to grow the business.
“Focusing staff on their own career goals and development and helping them to grow as they’ve worked through their careers has been something I’ve really enjoyed,” she says.
“I’m really proud of the work I’ve done to grow the business including working with Kirsty and Bryce to expand the business into Hamilton and Otorohanga.”
Gallie Miles Director Kirsty McDonald says from the firm’s perspective “we are very sad to be saying goodbye to Sue. She has made a huge contribution to Gallie Miles, both in terms of the team culture and the firm’s growth and strategic direction.”
“Sue is much loved by clients and colleagues alike and we all wish her the very best for her new adventures.”
Sue says her time at Gallie Miles has been very rewarding, but it’s time to see what else she can do.
“It has been hugely enjoyable. It’s a job that has supported me through my own personal milestones, some good and some not so great,” she says.
“I’m going to continue teaching at the NZ College of Law and working with lawyers entering the profession. I’ll also continue my voluntary work with the three Trust Boards I sit on. I’m looking forward to having a bit more time to spend with family and friends too.”
Sue’s last day at Gallie Miles is 19 June.
