History

Ehara taku toa, he takitahi, he toa takitini. Our modern firm today was formed over the last century from mergers of three firms.

History

Ehara taku toa, he takitahi, he toa takitini. Our modern firm today was formed over the last century from mergers of three firms.

1906
1906 Cambridge main

Malcolm V Dixon Lewis – Cambridge

On March 6, 1906, Samuel Lewis joined Malcolm Victor Dixon at Dixon’s Cambridge practice and became a partner within six months.

Image from the collection of the Cambridge Museum

1915
LD 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 from the collection of the Cambridge Museum

1919
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
Farm Chapman

Chapman – Hamilton

Lawyer and farmer Arthur William Chapman set up a sole practice in Hamilton in 1929.

1945
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
1950 victoria street

McCaw Smith & Arcus

Towards the end of 1950, with the retirement of Dewar Robertshaw, the firm was renamed McCaw Smith & Arcus.

 

1980
Hamilton 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
Aerial view of Hamilton CBD 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
MLC 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 Resized v2

McCaw Lewis Limited

On April 1, 2011, the firm was incorporated as McCaw Lewis Limited, marking the beginning of the new era for the McCaw Lewis whānau.

2016
MLL logo with Black v4

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
MacCaw Lewis Centenary Logo on Black

Centennial Celebrations

2019 marks a very important milestone for the firm, celebrating 100 years' service to the Waikato region.