Rees R & Sydney Jones was established in 1864 and founded by Rees Rutland Jones.
It is the oldest legal firm in Queensland still bearing its founders name.
Rees Rutland Jones was born in Sydney on the 12th February, 1840, the first surviving
child of Rees Jones and his wife Anne, nee Thompson. During his early years, Rees
Rutland Jones was known as Rutland to distinguish him from his father. He adopted
Rees as his first name when he came to Queensland in 1864.
Rees Rutland Jones was educated at a number of private schools in Sydney and Yass
in New South Wales. On the 3rd of April 1861, he began his Articles of Clerkship
to solicitors Norton, Son and Barker. On completion of his clerkship Rees Jones
sat for his law examination at the Supreme Court in Sydney the same day as the Chief
Justice's seventh son, Septimus Stephens, who bet $5 he would get the higher
marks. Rees Jones had no money for a bet, but predicted he would win - which he
did by 10 marks. He was admitted as attorney, solicitor and proctor of the NSW Supreme
Court on 4th June, 1864. Soon after he travelled to Brisbane and was admitted to
the Queensland Supreme Court on 3rd September 1864.
On the 10th September, 1864 Rees Rutland Jones arrived from New South Wales to Rockhampton
and soon afterwards commenced practice in a timber office building in East Street
between Fitzroy and Archer Streets. And so the foundations were laid for the firm
of Rees R & Sydney Jones.
Rees Rutland Jones took as his first partner his brother-in-law William John Brown
Jnr. and in 1872 the firm became Rees R Jones and Brown. The next partner was Charles
Sydney Jones who joined the firm in 1884. The departure of William John Brown in
1886 resulted in the permanent name Rees R & Sydney Jones.
Contrary to popular belief Sydney Jones was not related to Rees Jones. Sydney Jones
was born "Charles Sydney Jones" in Brisbane in 1861. After completing
his education Sydney Jones was articled to Charles Stuart Mein who was a barrister
practising in Brisbane as a solicitor from 1870. Sydney Jones passed his solicitor's
exam and was admitted on the 4th December 1882. Sydney Jones came to Rockhampton
in 1883 and became Rees Jones' second partner in 1884.
When the 2 Jones' invited Robert Gamble Brown and Robert Cecil Boland to become
partners in 1895, it was on the understanding that the firm would retain the same
name. So the tradition of new life but no name change with the introduction of new
partners was laid down.
Since the firm was established in 1864 it has had 26 partners including the founder.
Six of those partners are with the firm today.
The firm has conducted its legal practice from several locations before moving into
the building at the corner of Quay & Denham Streets in 1976, which is the current
home of Rees R & Sydney Jones.
The building was built in 1880 originally for the Queensland National Bank Ltd (now
known as the National Australia Bank Ltd). The building's ground floor was used
to conduct banking business while the upper floor was the manager's residence.
The building has undergone many internal alterations over the years to allow for
the operations of a modern and progressive business. The exterior of the building
remains much the same as when it was built.
In 1989 after celebrating 125 years in legal practice, the partners decided to have
a book written about the history of the firm. Subsequently, a book was written by
Dr. Lorna McDonald called "A Proud Name". A copy of this book can be located
in the firm library.