Celebrating 80 years of Johnston Withers.

On Friday 6 November 2026, we celebrated Johnston Withers’ 80th anniversary at The Gallery in Adelaide.

It was a wonderful opportunity to mark eight decades of legal service, reflect on our history and recognise the many people who have helped make JWL what it is today.

From a small office on King William Street, we are now a team of over 60 people working across seven locations. While the firm has evolved, we remain steadfast in our values and connected to our South Australian roots, with fairness, compassion and access to justice at the heart of our work.

Eight decades of making a difference

Elliott Johnston established the practice in 1946 with the belief that everyone deserves legal representation, regardless of their circumstances. That belief became the foundation of a firm prepared to stand alongside people facing difficult situations and help them have their voices heard.

During the 1960s and 1970s, Johnston Withers developed a strong reputation for representing workers in employment, workers compensation and personal injury matters. The firm also provided pro bono representation to Vietnam War protesters and supported people facing discrimination.

In 1971, Elliott Johnston and Andrew Collett helped establish the Aboriginal Legal Rights Movement in South Australia. Our work with Aboriginal communities has continued through native title and heritage matters, including the Adnyamathanha native title determination in 2009.

Our history also includes involvement in landmark cases such as Amadio and Chakravarti, alongside Brian Withers’ contribution to establishing the Law Society’s Litigation Assistance Fund, helping people who might otherwise struggle to afford legal representation.

Over the decades, our regional connections have deepened too. Services to Whyalla and Port Augusta began in 1982, followed by a presence in Clare in 1995, building lasting relationships with clients and communities beyond Adelaide.

The people behind our story

This anniversary belongs to everyone who has contributed to Johnston Withers over the past 80 years.

We acknowledge our founders and former leaders, past and present lawyers, conveyancers, administrative and support staff, and the colleagues who have shared their knowledge and mentored others. Their care, dedication and hard work have sustained the firm through generations.

We also thank our clients, referral partners and the communities we serve. Your trust and longstanding relationships are an important part of our story.

Managing Director Andrew Mitchard, who joined the firm in 2009, reflected on the significance of the occasion.

“After 17 years with Johnston Withers, I’m proud to celebrate this milestone and the people who have made it possible. Each generation has brought its own experience and ideas, while staying committed to the values that have guided the firm from the beginning.

“As we celebrate 80 years, we recognise everyone who has contributed to JWL and thank our clients and communities for their continued trust. Our work has evolved, but our roots remain strong: fairness, empathy and a commitment to helping people.”

As we look ahead, we remain true to our founders’ vision, bringing the same commitment to fairness, compassion and access to justice to our work every day.

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