Legal tradition continues

10/5/2009

Old Boys and their sons played a part in continuing a legal tradition in Dunedin last week as six second and in some cases third generation lawyers were admitted to the bar.

Admitted to the bar - (front, from left) Tommy Rutherford, Michael Stocker, Andrew More, Victoria Brunton, Jonathan Mirkin, and Catherine Andersen and their fathers (back from left) Walter Rutherford, Gary Stocker, David More, Cliff Brunton, Geoff Mirkin and Len Andersen.

Twenty-two lawyers were admitted to the bar in a ceremony in the High Court at Dunedin on Thursday

High Court judge Justice Christine French said Dunedin had always been known for its legal families and that ‘‘wonderful, proud tradition’’ continued with a ceremony where six fathers moved their children’s admission to the bar.

‘‘It must be a record to have so many at one time,’’ she said.

It was great to see that the ‘‘love of the law proved to be so enduring’’, she said.

The families were Walter Rutherford (1955-59) and Tommy Rutherford (1998-2002), Gary and Michael Stocker, David and Andrew More (1999-2003), Cliff and Victoria Brunton, Geoff Mirkin (1965) and Jonathan Mirkin and Catherine and Len Andersen.

Andrew was the third generation of his family to be admitted to the bar and was moved not only by his father but also by an uncle, Fergus More, and an aunt, Mary More.

‘‘It’s an honour to follow in their footsteps,’’ he said in his speech.