Experience over 130 years of expertise with Carlile Dowling.
Welcome to Carlile Dowling, the trusted legal firm in Napier with a rich history dating back to some of the first lawyers to practise here from 1874, and earlier. We have provided exceptional legal services to our clients for over 150 years. Today, we are a modern legal
firm offering a wide range of services to meet the diverse needs of our clients. At Carlile Dowling, we take a team approach to our work, ensuring that our clients benefit from the collective knowledge and expertise of our highly respected professionals.
We are proud of our heritage and committed to delivering the highest quality legal services to you. Our name comes from the 1987 amalgamation of two well-established Napier law firms – Carlile McLean & Co and Dowling & Co.
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Our History
J. N. Wilson is the first lawyer to practise in Napier.
J. N. Wilson is the first lawyer to practise in Napier. He forms the partnership, Wilson and Cotterill, with A. J. Cotterill in 1875. A successor of this firm later amalgamates with Carlile McLean Wood and Sorrell (a predecessor of Carlile Dowling).
James Wren Carlile (Swearing Jimmy) commences practice in Napier.
A. E. Lawry practises in partnership with W. Hislop in the 1920s, and on his own after the 1931 earthquake.
In 1942, A. E. Lawry takes Hallam Dowling (later Sir Hallam) into partnership. A successor of this firm later becomes Dowling & Co, and merges with Carlile McLean.
Carlile, McLean, Wood and Sorrell (a successor of Carlile and McLean) amalgamates with Humphries and Dobson (a successor of Wilson and Cotterill) to form Carlile, McLean, Wood, Sorrell and Dobson.
Carlile, McLean, Wood, Sorrell and Dobson changes its name to Carlile McLean & Company.
Dowling, Wacher & Co (a successor of A. E. Lawry) merges with the firm of Peach, Sturm, Prescott & Jamieson under the name of Dowling & Co.
Carlile McLean & Company merges with Dowling & Co to form Carlile Dowling.
Carlile Dowling incorporates and refocuses on property, commercial, trusts and estates services.
New client inquiries
For all new client inquiries, please don’t hesitate to give us a call. Our friendly and knowledgeable staff are always ready to answer your questions and assist you in any way possible.
