1893
Andrew Thynne and Edward Macartney enter into formal partnership.
We believe in taking the time to understand each individual situation and the challenges that you face. We have collectively represented some of Australia’s most successful businesses for over one hundred years; it’s time you put our skills and experience to work for you. We have the individual expertise and supporting team to guide you to a solution that will give you back control.
We are a proudly independent, commercially-focused, Queensland-based law firm with strong boutique practices in Agribusiness, Maritime & Transport, Property and Insurance.
Whatever your challenges, we’re with you.
We believe that the passing on of knowledge is important – to each generation of lawyers and to our clients. Our firm was founded in 1893 and with the wealth of over a century of accumulated knowledge, we can help you break down the barriers that are holding you back from where you want to be. As testament to our success in helping our clients forge new pathways, we have client relationships that span multiple generations and requests for repeat representation and advice. Some clients have been with the firm for nearly 100 years.
Whenever you need us, we’re with you.
Andrew Thynne and Edward Macartney enter into formal partnership.
Andrew Thynne was appointed Secretary for Public Lands and Agriculture. As part of this role, he was heavily involved in the establishment of the Agricultural College near Gatton, the opening of several experimental State farms and the inception of a departmental journal on agriculture. At his death in 1927, the Queenslander noted that he might well be styled as the father of Queensland’s agricultural and dairy industries.
Edward Macartney is elected the State member for Toowong and was re-elected in 1902 and 1904.
Andrew Thynne becomes president of the Queensland Law Association.
Andrew Thynne supported the Bill to establish the University of Queensland.
Andrew Thynne was given a major role in recruiting volunteers for military service and was appointed to a committee that sought to organise the production of munitions of war.
Edward Macartney becomes Queensland Leader of the Opposition and Director of the Royal Bank of Queensland.
Local businessman, Augustine Ryan, had a conversation with Andrew Thynne (Chairman of the Queensland Recruiting Committee) proposing ANZAC Day. Thynne supported the idea, taking it to the Committee Secretary, Canon David Garland. Canon Garland then organised the first public meeting to set up an organising committee.
Britannia Steam Ship Insurance Association’s first printed list of Correspondents appeared in the 1921 Rule Book and included Thynne + Macartney.
Edward Macartney becomes a member of the board of advice (Queensland) of the National Bank of Australasia Ltd.
Andrew Thynne is appointed Chancellor of the University of Queensland.
Andrew Thynne dies and was offered a State Funeral.
Partner William Lalor is made President of the Queensland Law Society.
Edward Macartney becomes a director of The Courier Mail before being elected Chairman of Queensland Newspapers Pty Ltd.
Partner Joseph Hoare served as a private with the AIF during the Second World War in Papua New Guinea and attained the rank of Major in the Australian Intelligence Corps.
Neville Anderson is made Partner after serving in the Second World War as a flight navigator with Bomber Command, being shot down in an air-raid on Berlin and being a German prisoner of war for 19 months. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross.
Joseph Hoare becomes a founding director of the Southern Electric Authority of Queensland.
Joseph Hoare becomes a founding director of Brisbane TV Ltd.
Thynne + Macartney merges with McGregor, Given & Co. retaining the Thynne + Macartney name.
Partner Peter Wilson teaches law at the Queensland University of Technology. The firm’s name is displayed as its benefactor on the entrance to the Legal Practice Course Library.
Partner J Henry Lalor receives an honorary degree of Doctor of Laws from the University of Queensland in recognition of the value to the University of the Mayne Trust over many decades (this Trust is still managed by the firm).
1993 centenary celebration function at Brisbane City Hall.
Christopher Hill, grandson of William Lalor, departs firm ending a long formal association between the Lalor family and Thynne + Macartney dating back to World War I.
Telex machine kept to communicate with ships at sea finally retired.
Joined Ally Law (formerly IALF) an international alliance of law firms across Australia, Asia, Europe, North America and South America.
Thynne + Macartney merges with well-known and respected Queensland firm, Biggs & Biggs. Thynne + Macartney benefited from Biggs & Biggs’ significant Private Clients and Commercial practices.
The firm announces a four year partnership with Gallipolli Medical Research Foundation.
Thynne + Macartney celebrates its 125th year anniversary. On 1 March 1893, a notice was published in the Brisbane Courier informing all of the admission of Macartney, as Thynne’s partner, and that the business would in the future be carried on under the name of Thynne + Macartney.
The Bill Loughnan Award for Outstanding Client Service is created. The Award recognises a person at Thynne + Macartney who embodies the firm's values and commitment to outstanding client service, internally and externally. Bill was Queensland's leading agribusiness lawyer and Chairman of the Firm from 2012 to 2017.
Thynne + Macartney continue their partnership with Gallipoli Medical Research Foundation as a Discovery Partner to support veterans and the broader community by helping the Foundation to continue to progress innovative and life-changing medical research.
Bill Loughnan, former Chairman and Partner of Thynne + Macartney, is recognised in the 2021 Queen’s Birthday Honours List and awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia (OAM) for services to agriculture, and to the law.
Thynne + Macartney celebrates 130 years in operation. To commemorate, a historical account of the firm is published. Written by historian Carmel Carrick, “Thynne + Macartney – The First 130 Years” details the intertwining of significant historical events in Queensland with Brisbane’s oldest law firm.