Who we are.
For over 75 years, we’ve protected the interests and rights of South Australian families, individuals, businesses and communities.
When experience matters, we’re here to help you, too.
We believe that everyone should have access to justice
Johnston Withers Lawyers was founded in Adelaide in 1946 by Elliott Johnston QC, who passionately pursued justice for all under the law, and acted with empathy and compassion for those in difficult circumstances.
Today, our team of lawyers and property conveyancers remain committed to the vision of our founder, and take pride in our reputation for fighting for the underdog and the disadvantaged.
When experience matters, we’re here to help
We connect specialist lawyers and conveyancers in Adelaide with the people who need them most: workers fighting for a fair go, families looking for compassionate advice, people seeking compensation for injury, business owners protecting their commercial and property interests, and homeowners looking for a property conveyancer to help secure their future.
Our legal and conveyancing teams are at the top of their field, and our clients know they can rely on us for honest, practical and comprehensive advice. We’re here to listen, advise, and support you during the good, the bad, and the challenging times.
Talk to us about
Family law
Family matters can be stressful at the best of times, let alone when the law is involved. If you’re experiencing divorce, child custody issues or family disputes, we’re here to listen and help.
Injury claims
If you’ve been hurt or suffered injuries as a result of someone else’s actions or negligence, talk to us about seeking damages from the people or organisation responsible.
Wills and estates
Whether you need help making a will, managing a deceased estate or guidance challenging a will, we’ll make sure your assets and estate are properly looked after when you die.
Commercial and property law
We act for companies and individuals with respect to general commercial matters and assist with financial issues including mortgage and loan origination, property advice and asset structuring, including for farmers.
Conveyancing
From first homes and family farms to commercial leases and business contracts, our experienced team is here to help with comprehensive conveyancing services.
Defamation
What others say about you matters. If you’ve experienced reputational damage as a result of defamatory comments or if you need to defend a defamation claim, our solicitors can help.
Criminal law
We understand that being charged with an offence of any kind can be distressing, regardless of the seriousness of the allegation. Our expert criminal law team is here to advocate for you.
Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Our litigation lawyers are here to help with all kinds of dispute resolution matters, from contested estates and trust litigation to intellectual property disputes and debt recovery.
Our locations
We firmly believe that every South Australian deserves expert, empathetic legal advice, which is why we’re passionate about providing every corner of our great state with access to legal advice when they need it.
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Our values
We’re progressive
At Johnston Withers, we’re not afraid to do things differently. We seize initiative, take ownership of opportunities and act upon them. We bring fresh, meaningful ideas and perspectives. We actively collaborate to find better solutions, and encourage each other to challenge and question. We’re inventive, bold and forward-thinking – and we never settle for second best.
We’re proactive
Our team helps solve problems for people so that they can get on with the things that matter most. We pride ourselves on looking at problems from new angles and thinking outside the box, giving our clients the opportunity to decide their strategy with the best information possible.
We’re honest
We have a deep sense of integrity and this shines through in everything we do. We’re open and transparent about what we’re doing and why, and we pride ourselves on setting clear expectations, and giving clear and independent advice.
We’re caring
We have a sincere desire to help people, do our best to understand the views and expectations of others, and treat everyone fairly and with respect. We connect with people in a human way, and strive to make everyone feel welcome, safe and listened to.
Our commitment to the community
Johnston Withers was founded on union principles of social justice and support for working people. We care about what happens here in South Australia; not just as lawyers, but also as members of the community.
We’re proud of how we help the disadvantaged and those who work on their behalf:
- We offer discounted services to members and staff at the RSPCA, Red Cross and Salvation Army.
- We work with the Cancer Council’s social workers to offer free wills for cancer patients who can’t afford one.
- We offer discounted services to a number of trade unions and union members.
Andrew Mitchard was a committed volunteer for the Roma Mitchell Community Legal Service for over 20 years.
- Every year, the team at Johnston Withers Adelaide office collectively support the Hutt Street Centre’s Walk a Mile in My Boots challenge, Cancer Council's Biggest Morning Tea and the Kmart Wishing Tree Appeal.
- We sponsor The Asbestos Diseases Society of Australia Inc (ADSA)
Our memberships and affiliates
We’re proud to be the South Australian legal profession member of MSI Global Alliance, an association of independent law and accounting firms with over 250 member firms in 100 countries.
All of our practitioners who hold a current practising certificate are financial members of the Law Society of South Australia, which makes us a Gold Alliance Firm.
Our actions speak for themselves
A win for a native title claim for the Adnyamathanha People
Johnston Withers are proud to have represented the Adnyamathanha People of the Flinders Ranges for over 20 years in relation to their Native Title Claim.
Landmark case: Chakravarti v Advertiser Newspapers Ltd
Manobendro Chakravarti had been a senior executive of Beneficial Finance Corporation, a subsidiary of the State Bank of South Australia.
Landmark case: Duffy v Google Inc.
The 2015 Supreme Court of South Australia case of Duffy v Google Inc. and the 2017 Full Court Appeal are well known amongst defamation lawyers throughout Australia as highly significant decisions.