Welcome to the website of the Newcastle Law Society.
The Newcastle Law Society is a regional law society which represents almost 600 solicitors, both in the private and public sectors in the Newcastle area. Our objectives are, amongst others, to promote and support local legal initiatives, to lobby on key issues affecting the local legal profession and to assist with the provision of educational and training opportunities for the local profession.
You can access information on this site about the role of the Newcastle Law Society, its history and composition, details about its member firms and current activities.
James Bartley, President
Harry Lambert (Bert) Wheeler had a distinguished war service in the First World War and rose to the rank of Lieutenant-Colonel. He was a solicitor for some 69 years and awarded an OBE not merely for his contribution to local government as an alderman and Mayor of Newcastle but particularly because of his commitment to the welfare of ex-serviceman and their organisations especially during the Depression.
On 30th May, 1896 Thomas Alfred Inglis Braye was admitted and practiced alone for a number of years and later formed the partnership of Braye & Cohen. In 1898 Mr Harry Cohen joined the partnership which then became Braye Cragg Cohen & Co. 1987 saw the merging of Braye Cragg Cohen & Co with Fox Maher & Partners.
In 1899 Minter Simpson & Co opened a Newcastle office to service their clients engaged in heavy industry, particularly BHP. This was initially managed by Archibald Aloysius Rankin and in 1912 Rankin took over the practice, conducting it in his own name. He was award the CBE for his services to the community. With the accession of Alfred Nathan as a partner the firm became Rankin & Nathan, retaining that name to the present time.
The firm of Reid & Reid commenced as a partnership between the 2 nephews of Sir George Reid, the Premier of NSW and later Prime Minister of Australia. The firm’s association with the Miners Federation, which was begun by William Alexander Reid, who was admitted on 7th June 1880, still endures.
The Law Society seeks to build on the recorded history of the legal profession in Newcastle. If you or your firm wish to contribute to this record please contact us.
Richerd Doe
Harni Doe
