Lawyers Since 1884

 

History of the Firm

Hawthorn Cuppaidge & Badgery was established in 1884 by the Honourable AGC Hawthorn (pictured) who practised as Hawthorn & Co. Mr Hawthorn became Treasurer of the Queensland Government for the period 1901 to 1904 and served in the Legislative Council until it was abolished in 1927.

The practice was enlarged in 1927 by the joining of Mr Russell Cuppaidge, becoming Hawthorn Cuppaidge & Co in 1932. Mr Cuppaidge was to hold the office of President of the Queensland Law Society from 1947 to 1948.

Mr Robert Malcolm Badgery joined the practice in 1951 when its name changed to Hawthorn Cuppaidge & Badgery. He retired from the practice in 1992 having presided over the growth of the practice into the regional areas of Kilcoy and Woodford. Mr Badgery was a firm believer in forging strong links between town and country, a philosophy which the firm shares to this day.

Hawthorn Cuppaidge & Badgery's current Principal, Mr Peter Leslie Challen, commenced Articles of Clerkship under Mr Badgery in 1970, working his way up to Partner in 1975. He shares the founders' passion for the law and presides over a firm which retains their traditional values. Mr Challen has again sought to expand the scope of the firm's operations and proudly acquired McDonells Solicitors in Sydney in 2003, firmly establishing the presence of the Hawthorn Cuppaidge & Badgery legacy in New South Wales.