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 passed away, 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.

Mr. Philip G. Harkness came to Hamilton in 1926. He joined Mr. Douglas J. Seymour in partnership, but this dissolved in 1928.

Mr. P. G. Harkness then in 1928 opened on his own account Wesley Cambers, Victoria Street.

in 1929 a young lawyer, Mr. Francis Clive Henry (who was a prominent solicitor in the Waikato) joined Hamilton’s then biggest and busiest 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 1945, Clive Henry and Phillip 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 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. Annan, Mr. Cochrane, and Mr. Skelton. With these changes, the firm’s name was updated to Harkness Henry & Co.

Marking the end of an era and the beginning of a new chapter.

Harkness Henry has been practicing under this name since then.

Our future…

Stay tuned to see what we have instore… Exciting projects are in the works!

150 years of Connection

Harkness Henry proudly celebrates 150 years of serving the Hamilton community. Our firm’s history is deeply intertwined with the growth of the city’s legal profession, tracing back to the earliest solicitors who laid the foundation for modern legal practice in the Waikato region.

Our History.

Our future…

RECEIVE OUR NEWSLETTER