Tauranga's oldest law firm is celebrating 120 years in business today.

Sharp Tudhope marked the occasion with a morning tea for 50 staff and a large cake cut by chairman of partners Bill Chapman.

Sharp Tudhope chairman of partners Bill Chapman cuts the birthday cake. Supplied photos.

The law firm began when Henry Sharp set up his law practice in Spring Street in September 1896. Archie Tudhope, who operated nearby in Willow Street, joined Henry as a partner in 1911.

Henry Sharp and Archie Tudhope merged firms in 1911.

In an unusual move, the men obtained two bullocks and literally pulled Archie's office around the corner to be alongside Henry's - a true merger.

In 1979, Sharp Tudhope moved into premises at 35 Grey Street, which served the firm well for over 30 years.

The firm's most recent move was in May 2012 when the firm relocated to a state-of-the art, purpose-built building on the corner of Devonport Rd and First Ave.

Sharp Tudhope Lawyers on Devonport Road.

'We've kept the name going through,” says marketing and communications manager Janine McTainsh.

'It's a pretty cool thing to have been around that long, and we have changed over the years as well, moved along with the times and the technology. And we have got this great new building at the top of the town.”

Staff levels have remained at about current levels for a while, says Janine.

'We are not the biggest law firm in Tauranga but we are quite specialized in the work that we do. We do the majority corporate commercial law, a lot of property sub-divisions, and act for businesses like Comvita Craig Investment Partners…a lot of the other old ones about town.”