Urlich McNab Kilpatrick (UMK) is a commercial and business law firm based in Whangarei. It has established a solid reputation as a specialist in trust formation and management. Its other areas of recognized expertise include company and business structures, franchising, commercial dealings, succession planning, wills and estate administration, subdivisions and property transactions, property relationship agreements, employment issues, overseas investment consents, and commercial mediation. Established in 1993 as a specialist practice by Roko Urlich, Neil McNab and Jim Kilpatrick, UMK has developed into a sophisticated and comprehensive non-litigation firm which places emphasis on alternative dispute resolution methods. While predominantly a Northland firm, UMK's client base extends elsewhere in New Zealand and to overseas. UMK is involved in a significant proportion of major Northland commercial transactions and is proud to have strong links with other professionals and the financial, farming and business sectors of the North. A small and efficient team UMK is comprised of a staff of 20, led by Neil, Jim and Tony Savage, who became a partner in April 2007, and including three additional lawyers and a number of legal executives. Roko is a consultant to the firm.