our history | dobson mitchell & allport pty ltd - commercial lawyers, property lawyers, litigation lawyers, hobart, tasmania, australia

Dobson Mitchell & Allport has just celebrated 175 years of services to the Tasmanian community, below is a time line of important events along the way.

1834 John Dobson emigrated John Dobson emigrates from England and is admitted to practice in Hobart	1864 William Giblin joins the firm William Giblin joins the firm, and is now called Dobson & Giblin
1865 John Dobson dies His sons continue in the firm. Eldest son William Lambert Dobson is appointed a judge of the Supreme Court and the second son, Henry Dobson, continues in practice with William Giblin.	1870 Giblin appointed as a judge William Giblin appointed as a judge and enters politics
1873 The firm move The firm of Dobson and Giblin move to 111 Macquarie Street (now the site of the Reserve Bank Building).	1875 John Mitchell joins firm John Mitchell joins the firm, and it becomes Dobson and Mitchell
1878 Giblin elected Premier William Giblin becomes Premier until 1884	1886 Cecil Allport Cecil Allport joins the firm, becoming Dobson, Mitchell & Allport
1891 Firm continues to grow Dobson, Mitchell & Allport becomes one of the largest law businesses in Tasmania. Henry Dobson enters the House of Assembly as the Member for Brighton and is quickly elected Opposition Leader	1892 Great leaps forward Henry Dobson becomes Premier of Tasmania until 1894. During that time he establishes a Government Tourist Bureau, forms a company to erect the Springs Hotel and amends the Education Act to make school attendance compulsory. He went on to become a Tasmanian Senator in the first Federal Parliament.
1961 William Ellis Cox William Ellis Cox is appointed as a Judge.	1970 The Big Move Dobson, Mitchell & Allport move from 111 Macquarie Street to their present location on the 59 Harrington Street.
1982 William John Ellis Cox "Bill" Cox is appointed a Judge, going on to become Chief Justice.	1988 Building Expands The practice expands into the historic Del Stare building on the corner of Harrington and Davey Streets.
2004 Governor Bill Cox is appointed Governor of Tasmania.	2008 Practices Join Established Hobart practice Hand, Ogilvie & Breheny joins Dobson Mitchell & Allport, taking the number of lawyers in the practice to over 30.
2009 175th Anniversary The 175th anniversary of John Dobson's practice is celebrated with a capacity reception at the Town Hall, attended by dignitaries including the Premier, Attorney-General and the Lord Mayor.	2010 M+K Lawyers Group Dobson Mitchell & Allport joins the Macpherson + Kelley group, providing expanded services to its clients and becoming part of a national expansion of the group.