Dunedin-based boutique law firm Reid Cooper Gray has strengthened its leadership structure, announcing the promotion of litigation specialist Charlotte Moran to Principal.
Moran joins co-founders Michaela Ryan and Warren Moffat at the helm of the firm, which launched in November 2024 with a mission to challenge traditional legal sector norms.
The three Principals are long-time colleagues who combined efforts and skills to offer a highly specialized blend of litigation, property, and commercial expertise.
“From our perspective, Charlotte’s an exceptional legal mind and a colleague with closely aligned values and vision,” says co-founder Warren Moffat. “It’s fantastic that we can now move forward together.”
The firm’s strategic focus is split across key pillars to deliver comprehensive client coverage:
- Charlotte Moran: Specializes in civil, trust, family, and employment litigation.
- Michaela Ryan: Focuses on civil and commercial litigation, employment, trusts/relationship property, and corporate risk mitigation.
- Warren Moffat: Leads the commercial division, handling tax, finance, banking, and commercial property/conveyancing.
The Nine-Day Fortnight
Reid Cooper Gray isn’t just talking about innovation; they are putting it into their workplace. The firm has successfully implemented a nine-day fortnight, a bold move in an industry traditionally tethered to grueling billable hours.
Backed by external operational consultants and modern legal tech, the initiative prioritizes long-term sustainability without sacrificing client outcomes.
“The nine-day fortnight forces us to take that time away so we can bring perspective for our clients that isn’t clouded by over-work” says Warren Moffat, Principal
Moran notes the shift has fundamentally improved their output. “It is definitely part of building a functional, healthy workplace, but it’s also giving us a better product. Our team is productive, efficient, and energised.”
Names, History, and Heritage
The firm has rejected the standard practice of using the founders’ surnames. Reid Cooper Gray honors three women from the Principals’ respective family lineages.
“It’s a nod to our histories, not our names in lights,” Moran explains. “It acknowledges that we are a brand as well as a business, and that our brand is not just tied to us—but all of those who have gone before us too.”
The firm operates out of a refurbished, light-filled, open-plan space in the historic Donald Reid wool store building within Dunedin’s Vogel Street Heritage Precinct. Designed to foster organic collaboration, it features dedicated zones alongside communal workspaces.
“Actively contributing to our community is central to our work and represents what we stand for as a firm,” says Michaela Ryan. “When we are involved across all corners of the community, we can better advocate and be in our clients’ corner too.”
