b'In 1817 George Allen became the first person to begin practice. This shift accelerated after the Second World War, legal training in Australia. He completed his articles ofdriven by the postwar economic boom and unprecedented clerkship on 21 July 1822 and the following day establishedinterest in Australia as a destination for foreign investment. a legal practice above the printing presses of The Sydney Gazette and New South Wales Advertiser on lower GeorgeAllen Allen & Hemsley comprised an eclectic group of Street in Sydney.individuals who valued their differences and their autonomy. Following Arthurs death in 1941 the firm was acquired by Today the firm is known as Allens, and 22 July 2022 marksthe remaining seven partners, ending 119 years of family our 200th anniversary.ownership. Norman Cowper (later Sir Norman), Gabriel Reichenbach and Frederick (Fred) Millar, among others, Allens is, principally, the amalgamation of four firms: Allentook leading roles during this period, burnishing the firms Allen & Hemsley from Sydney, Feez Ruthning from Brisbane,reputation as Sydneys pre-eminent commercial law firm. and Hedderwick Fookes & Alston and Arthur Robinson & CoIn 1982 Allen Allen & Hemsley was described by Australian from Melbourne. Business magazine as Australias oldest and probably Allens The four antecedent firms have distinct histories, theirmost respected law firm. In the 1990s the firms resilience practices and cultures having developed in different citieswas tested by the Powles affair. Many were surprised the over different times.firm survived, yet within a decade it had merged with longstanding affiliated firms creating the Allens of today.Allen Allen & Hemsley18222022 The first of the four firms, Allen Allen & Hemsley, wasFeez Ruthningfounded by George Allen in Sydney in 1822. Five generationsFeez Ruthning was similarly respected in Brisbane. The of the Allen family were partners at the firm, from Georgeorigins of this firm lie in a practice started by Robert Little Allen in 1822 until the retirement of David Allen in 1984.in Moreton Bay in 1846. Little arrived in Sydney from Ireland George Allens son George Wigram (known as Wigram, andand, encouraged by George Allen, ventured north to where later Sir George Wigram) and grandson Arthur were amongthe Bank of New South Wales was expected to open its those who had a lasting influence; Wigram through hisfirst branch beyond Sydney. Little established a successful engagement with politics, business and society, and Arthurpractice and in 1857 was appointed the first crown solicitor through his business and social connections, his wide- for Queensland (then Moreton Bay). His firm evolved ranging interests (including his great love of the arts), andthrough various partnerships and by 1884 was led by Heinrich his foresight in hiring some of the most exceptional lawyersRthning. In 1911 the firm merged with a Brisbane firm led of his time.by Adolph Feez. By 1927 it was known as Feez Ruthning & Co. Alfred Hemsley was one of the lawyers hired by Arthur. HeHeinrich Rthning had emigrated to Australia from joined the firm in 1894, engendering the firms reputationGermany as a young boy, and Adolph Feez was born in as the lawyers lawyers. For much of the nineteenth centuryBrisbane. Although their German heritage tested the loyalty the firms practice was predominantly property and estatesof many clients during the First and Second World Wars, work until Hemsley and Harold Minton Taylor (known asthe Bank of New South Wales and Allen Allen & Hemsley Minton) guided the firm towards an increasingly commercialmaintained a close connection. Through hard work a xi'