OUR VALUES
Whāia te iti kahurangi
Manaakitanga
Kotahitanga
At McCaw Lewis our clients are more than business partners. They are whānau. We have served the Waikato community for over 100 years and understand the importance of excellence in legal services and easily-understood legal advice.
We offer a comprehensive suite of legal services with a focus on commercial, Te Tiriti o Waitangi, property, dispute resolution, asset planning, environmental/natural resources, workplace law and Māori land.
Our purpose is to add value to our clients and their communities by enhancing the collective economic, social, cultural, environmental, and spiritual good. Treating clients with compassion and respect, and delivering clear and easily understood legal advice, is paramount to us. We successfully balance tikanga Māori with mainstream values and traditions – because we believe that the good people make great lawyers.
Our clients are good people who deserve great support and advice. They are individuals and families, companies and trusts, charities, hapū and iwi. We pride ourselves in caring for our clients, making their lives easier through the long-standing relationships we build with them.
McCaw Lewis is driven by three key values: whāia te iti kahurangi, manaakitanga and kotahitanga.
Our History
- 1906
Malcolm V Dixon Lewis – Cambridge
On 6 March 1906, Samuel Lewis joined Malcolm Victor Dixon at Dixon's Cambridge practice and become a partner within six months.
Image source: Cambridge Museum - 1915
Lewis & Dallimore – Cambridge
In 1907, Samuel Lewis set up his own practice in the fledging town, and in 1915 Henry Dickens Dallimore joined him in partnership. They named the firm Lewis & Dallimore.
Image source: Cambridge Museum - 1919
King & Russell – Hamilton
The Hamilton enterprise began in 1919 when W.J King set up his sole practice in Victoria Street, and soon made a name for himself as a highly competent and colourful member of the Bar. He was joined by partner Leslie Ray Russell and the firm was known as King & Russell until the partnership was dissolved around 1921.
King continued in sole practice until he was joined by Ronald (Punch) McCaw, and the firm became King & McCaw.
- 1929
Chapman – Hamilton
Lawyer and farmer Arthur William Chapman set up a solo practice in Hamilton in 1929.
- 1945
King McCaw & Smith – Hamilton
After joining the firm just prior to, or immediately following WW2, Noel Smith, Don Arcus and Dewar Robertshaw were made partners in 1945. The firm changed its name to King McCaw & Smith.
- 1950
McCaw Smith & Arcus
Towards the end of 1950, with the retirement of Dewar Robertshaw, the firm was renamed McCaw Smith & Arcus
- 1980
Chapman Cartwright Gendall & Earl – Cambridge
From 1960-1980, the Chapman firm expanded with new partners Peter Feenstra, Peter Cartwight, David Gendall and Murray Earl, who were known for excellence in their fields of law.
- 1982
McCaw Lewis Jecks
On 1 October 1982, Lewis Jecks & Co joined McCaw Smith & Arcus and the newly merged firm was renamed McCaw Lewis Jecks.
- 1984
McCaw Lewis Chapman
In 1984, Chapman Cartwright Gendall & Earl merged with McCaw Lewis Jecks to become McCaw Lewis Chapman. Fifteen years later, the firm separated from its offices in Cambridge, Tokoroa and Matamata. These offices became the firm Lewis Lawyers, named after its Cambridge origins.
- 2011
McCaw Lewis Limited
On 1 April 2011, the firm was incorporated as McCaw Lewis Limited, marking the beginning of the new era for the McCaw Lewis whānau.
- 2016
McCaw Lewis
In 2016, McCaw Lewis was rebranded to better reflect the modern and forward-thinking firm McCaw Lewis is today – with GOOD PEOPLE. GREAT LAWYERS.
- 2019
Centennial Celebrations
2019 marked a very important milestone for the firm, celebrating 100 years' service to the Waikato region.
- 2024
McCaw Lewis welcomes Te Kūiti firm to the whānau
On 1 April 2024, the Te Kūiti based office of Forgeson Law joined McCaw Lewis and now forms our Te Kūiti office of the firm.
