Testimonials and Client Feedback

You are so on to it. Couldn’t agree more with your summation.
Michael Adams, Director, Designer Direct Importers

Hi Sarah  The signed License Agreement is attached.
On behalf of my fellow Directors please accept our sincere thanks for the extremely valuable contribution that you have made to this project and the priority that you gave us from the early stages when we were working on the trial Agreement to its evolution into the final Agreement.  
Grant McComb, Director, Quinspread Technologies Limited

Would we recommend Rory MacDonald and Sarah Pilcher to any prospective client? Yes.
Insight is a 12 person advertising business. For more years than any of care to remember Rory and Sarah have helped us through changes in shareholdings, compliance with New Zealand laws and offered local advice on our drive into new markets in Australia and other countries. The team has always been calm and pleasant to deal with and importantly for us -- have provided good quality advice which is appropriate to the size and budget of our company. In fact, it's never a chore and always a pleasure to ring Sarah!
Gerard Malcolm, Director, Insight Consulting

To whom it may concern: It has been great to work with Sarah and her staff over the last few weeks in creating our new company franchise agreement. Sarah has been very prompt in answering my questions and  all her staff have been so helpful. The document came in under budget which was also a very pleasant surprise. Keep up the good work!
Derek Lilly
Managing Director
Dream Doors NZ Ltd

Before I was introduced to the MacDonald/Picher partnership, the mere thought of contacting a lawyer filled me with dread and suspicion. After all, we all know that lawyers have the reputation for overcharging and under-delivering. At MacDonald/Pilcher I found a team that achieved the reverse.   Everyone in the partnership is a total professional and thoroughly delightful to deal with. For me they have handled everything from minor details involving my father’s estate to a significant deal involving the sale of my business.  In all matters their charges have been very reasonable and the results have surpassed my expectations. I have no hesitation in recommending their services and look forward to continuing my happy association.
 Monica Johns
(Previous) owner of Ideal Garages National Franchisor

 We have dealt with MacDonald Pilcher Partnership over the years and have continued to get great value from them both with the work that they do for us directly and for the work that they have done for our clients.
They are knowledgeable in matters franchising and take a great interest in the well being of their clients,.  We have always found them to be very cost effective and very good to deal with.”
Win Robinson, Managing Director, Franchize Consultants (NZ) Limited
 
Having worked with the team at MacDonald Pilcher for many years I can highly recommend them.
Efficient, loyal, friendly, thorough and hardworking, we have managed mix business and have fun on the way, a necessity for good business relations!
Linda Christensen, Director / Designer, Kitchens By Design

"Rory and his team have provided us astute legal advice since 1923 - well maybe not quite that long but definitely over 20 years. Rory, and more recently Sarah, have really own ever shown one passionate interest - advancing and protecting our business. Whatever the legal need, whenever we have needed it, they have done the business."
Peter Dickinson
CEO  - Greentree International
 
Over the last 6 years we have built up a significant amount of intellectual property and decided that the time was right to licence the use of these materials to others. This necessitated selecting a suitable law firm to draw up the licence agreement; we have high standards and wanted to produce a solid and robust document.
 I did some market research and drew up a short list of three possibilities based primarily on word of mouth and the recommendations of the New Zealand Franchise Association. The reasons that I selected MacDonald Pilcher were: -
Rory was happy to meet with me on risk and provided a significant amount of advice with no expectation of obtaining the work. (Gave freely)
Rory impressed me highly with his obviously apparent knowledge and experience.
Rory speaks “English” and by this I mean was able to convey complex legal issues in simple easily understood language.
Price represented value for money.
Working with Sarah proved to be a real pleasure. Her communication is excellent and again the wealth of experience and knowledge that she brings is significant. Sarah took the time to really understand our business model and write a precise and accurate document which meets our needs and is proving to be well received in the market place. I had planned to use the licence to further build on the perception that we are a professional company and I’m really pleased with the outcome. I wish to stress that the perceived added value that this document has created is significantly more than it cost. Net result is a good investment.
 In summary I would highly recommend both Rory and Sarah to anyone looking for a franchise of licence agreement.
Roger Brady
Director/Shareholder
Pinnacle Business Solutions Ltd.
   
“I was most impressed at Sarah Pilcher’s grasp of a tricky issue, defining access rights and drafting a three-party Joint Venture Agreement, covering mineral rights at East Cape NZ. So very much faster, succinct and less expensive than the big shop down South’s unsuccessful effort. We moved our corporate work to McDonald Pilcher Partnership as a consequence”.
Norman W Stacey
Managing Director
Diversified INVESTMENT STRATEGIES LIMITED
    
My key requirements were clear documentation that was suited to our industry and advise that was knowledgeable and easily accessable.  These have stood the test of time.  During franchisee selection the documentation has been reviewed by numerous lawyers, accountants and bank managers and found to be robust & sensible.  My key point of contact has been Sarah Pilcher and there has never been any difficulty in reaching her and receiving advice that has been right given the scenarios we faced.  I would recommend all businesses that are serious about franchising or who are already “doing it” but want a second legal opinion to take the time to have a coffee with these guys and making your own mind up.  
 Regards
Tony Robinson
Owner – Walk On Wheels
 
Since the 80’s when I developed my first franchise system the franchising sector has become a true profession.  Now, as The Franchise Coach, being advising to 100’s of franchise successes we will only partner with a reconised franchise lawyers such as Sarah and Rory.  Having the knowledge of the law is not enough, it’s more important to have experience and to have worked for many franchise systems which this firm has since we first meet in the mid 80’s.  
David McCullough
David McCullough – The Franchise Coach; Inaugural Chairman of the Franchise Association of New Zealand; Founder Arano Juice
     
McDonald Pilcher were recommended to us by the Franchise Association of NZ. What I like most about their service is their hands on approach and practical advice, I have had the pleasure of working with both Rory and Sarah on a variety of  issues and with a number of different clients. It’s great to able to pick up the phone and get straight through to the principle. We are very happy to recommend their practice to anyone considering buying a franchise or indeed becoming a franchisor
Michael Milward
Milward Doran
Business Development Consultants, Sydney, NSW
   
We would like to thank the team at MacDonald Pilcher Partnership for their exceptional work in relation to the situations that have arisen both professionally and with our personal situations. What we have found is a willingness to listen, understand and solve the solution in a manner that is quick, efficient and resolved in the outcome that had been discussed at the beginning. This was achieved as the team has clearly stated what the possible outcomes would be and has got us to consider the outcome we would like without the emotion that can be involved. Once we begin any litigation the strength, understanding and the ability to clearly outline the case to other parties that they may be working with has all lead to successful outcomes.
 Areas that the team has worked with us has been as a Franchisor - working on the system as well as franchisor/ee disputes, Property development and contractual development. Very diverse work and their ability to think outside the square has made has been greatly appreciated. There are no hidden costs and although initially thought to be high has proved on each occasion to be the most cost effect service. Thank you for your service to date and we look forward to continuing a mutually beneficial relationship,
David Dovey - Franchisor"  Exceed Window Maintenance
 
“PORSE Franchising (NZ) Ltd engaged the services of MacDonald Pilcher Partnership in 2003 after searching throughout NZ for a legal firm that understood the business of franchising.
 PORSE Franchising has not looked back - Sarah and Rory have delivered every time on all matters legal with regards to franchising.
They provide common sense advice with an ability to find sensible solutions right from the start.  Their no-nonsense approach is refreshing when difficulties arise that require legal input but also a personal touch.
Their legal acumen has ensured that difficult issues have been resolved without lengthy or drawn out angst because timing is of the essence in franchising and counter-productive issues need to be addressed and rectified as soon as possible.
PORSE Franchising has gained immense respect and appreciation for their experience and ability to provide legal counsel in the area of franchising that has been on the mark each and every time – a challenge in itself and the key reason why PORSE chose MacDonald Pilcher Partnership above all other legal firms in NZ. “
 Jenny Yule :  Managing Director
PORSE In-Home Childcare Network
 
We would like to thank MacDonald Pilcher Partnership especially Sarah for her assistance in helping us in setting up our franchise system. We found her guidance extremely helpful in all areas when formulating our franchise agreement. Her knowledge in regard to territories was paramount in order for our system to operate successfully. Once again, thank you Sarah for being friendly, efficient, and for your prompt service.
Wallpaper Call Franchising Co Ltd