From 1875 to now

In 2025, we celebrated 150 years of serving local communities. Our firm’s history is deeply intertwined with the growth of the region’s legal profession, tracing back to the earliest solicitors who laid the foundation for modern legal practice in the Waikato.

Our History

In 1875, Lewis J. O’Neill was admitted to the bar and established his practice, becoming the fifth solicitor in Hamilton.

He later went into business with Charles Madden.

In 1907, Mr. O’Neill entered into a partnership with Edmund James Stewart, forming O’Neill Stewart. The firm continued successfully until 1919, when Mr. O’Neill died, and Mr. Stewart renamed the firm Edmund J. Stewart.

In 1923, Mr. Stewart acquired the practice of Mr. R.J. Fisher, expanding the firm’s reach.

Philip G. Harkness came to Hamilton in 1926. He joined Douglas J. Seymour in partnership.

1929 the young Francis Clive Henry joined Hamilton’s largest conveyancing firm, MacDiarmid Mears and Gray.

In 1932, Mr. Stewart stepped away from legal practice and his brother, Mr. Prust Stewart, took over the firm. However, finding the role too demanding, he invited Eric Freeman Clayton-Greene, a close family friend and practising lawyer, to continue the practice.

The firm was renamed Clayton-Greene & Prust Stewart, but in 1934, Mr. Prust Stewart resigned, leaving Mr. Clayton-Greene to continue under the name E. F. Clayton-Greene.

Mr. E.F. Course joined the firm, further strengthening its presence in Hamilton’s legal landscape.

In 1935, Clive Henry left MacDiarmid Mears and Gray to practice on his own before enlisting in 1943 with the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF).

In 1945, Clive Henry and Philip Harkness formed a firm named Harkness Henry. This firm still continues to this day.

In 1952, Mr. Raymond F. Annan joined the firm, and the name was changed to Harkness Henry & Annan, marking a new chapter in the firm’s history.

In 1964 Harkness Henry & Annan acquired the practice of Gerald Briggs (this line of the firm dated back to 1907 when William Tudhope started his firm. He had partnered with Gerald Briggs in 1920 and he continued this firm up to the date of his death and the acquisition by Harkness Henry and Annan)

In 1965, Mr. Harkness retired, having played a pivotal role in shaping the firm’s direction and success.

In 1966, Harkness Henry & Annan moved to the third floor of the Bank of New Zealand building on Victoria Street, solidifying its presence in the heart of Hamilton’s business district.

In 1970, Harkness Henry & Annan merged with Course Clayton-Greene & Cochrane, resulting in a new name: Harkness Henry Course & Annan.

The year 1975 saw many respected staff members retire, including Mr. Clayton-Greene, Mr. Cochrane, and Mr. Skelton. With these changes, the firm’s name was updated to Harkness Henry & Co. Mr Annan established his own practice.

In 1975, Clive Henry retired from the partnership and became a consultant partner.

In 1979, Harkness Henry opened an office in Paeroa to serve local communities better.

In 1989, Harkness Henry moved from the BNZ building on Victoria Street to the KPMG Tower on Alexander Street, where the firm still practices out of today.

In 2022, Harkness Henry merged with local firm Cambridge Law and opened our third office in Cambridge.

In 2024, we opened a fourth office in Matamata to support local farmers, families and businesses.

In 2026, Harkness Henry merged with Auckland firm, Malloy Goodwin Harford.

From 1875 to now

In 2025, we celebrated 150 years of serving local communities. Our firm’s history is deeply intertwined with the growth of the region’s legal profession, tracing back to the earliest solicitors who laid the foundation for modern legal practice in the Waikato.

Our History

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