About Us
Mr Keith Miller established the practice in Hornsby in 1924 and worked as a solicitor in this area until about 1963. At that time the firm was simply known as KE Miller and had its offices on the “old side” at 181 Pacific Highway, Hornsby. Mr Miller assisted many people during that period, including many people who came out from Lebanon and settled in the Thornleigh area. In particular, he helped the late Mr Anthony Peter Baynie, who was one of the original settlers and forefathers of the Lebanese community in this area. The firm is very proud to have continued that association with many of those families to the present time.
In 1962 Mr William George Noyce (“Bill”) acquired the practice from Mr Miller. Bill had previously “squatted” as a lawyer in Griffith after returning from overseas service in Africa and Papua New Guinea during World War II. While Bill was in Griffith, he was joined by Alfred Keith Doust (“Keith”) and they were in partnership for some years. In 1968 Keith also joined Bill in the practice at Hornsby. The firm then finally became known as Miller Noyce & Doust and their offices were in an old Federation house that stood on the corner of Florence and Hunter Streets (where the entrance to Westfield is now located). Bill was also instrumental in putting together the Northgate site for the new shopping centre that was finally developed. This was a major redevelopment which shaped the future of the Hornsby commercial centre.
In 1973 Mr Doug Spencer (“Doug”) returned from Papua New Guinea (where he had worked as a lawyer for several years) and joined the firm. Doug became a partner in 1976. During that period the firm moved to offices in the Percy Lum building in Florence Street. However, when Bill Noyce and a number of his business partners built the Westpac Building at 30 Florence Street, the firm moved into new offices on the 2nd Floor where they remained until 1994.
In 1989 Mr Joseph John Francis (“Joe”) joined the firm and became a partner in 1992. By that time the firm was by far the largest and most active legal firm in the Hornsby area.
In 1994 the firm finally moved into its present offices in “Miller Noyce House” at 45-47 Hunter Street Hornsby.
Mrs Carol Andary (“Carol”) initially joined the firm in 1994 and worked on a part-time basis for several years and then rejoined the firm on a more regular basis in 2002. She has been a great asset to the firm and specialises in property and commercial matters.
From the 1st January 2007, Doug and Joe decided to operate their own independent legal practices. Doug retained the name Miller Noyce and most of our staff, and continues the practice from our current premises. Doug also established the company Miller Noyce Spencer Pty Limited to operate this practice. Joe acquired nearby premises and operates his separate and completely independent practice from there under the name J Francis Lawyers Pty Ltd.
In April 2007 Mr Graham Limburg (“Graham”), an extremely well known and well regarded solicitor (who had operated his own practice at Thornleigh for 17 years), joined our firm and became a full-time consultant. Graham did this to ensure that his many clients were well looked after and cared for when he chose to retire, although he has no definite plans to do so at the present time. Graham has a lifetime of experience in general practice, particularly in property, personal and estate matters, He is a great asset to the firm and we are all very pleased that he agreed to join us.
The firm has long-standing connections and roots in this area and continues to act for a great number of families who have and still live in this district. However, just as many of those clients have moved far afield, the firm also acts for people who live and work in more distant places and in fact in many parts of the world.
We realise that people’s needs and circumstances are ever changing and evolving, and despite the pressures of modern life, it is paramount to ensure that we maintain high standards of personal service. The firm has been helping people since 1924 and is determined to continue providing a high level of personalised legal services for many years into the ever changing future.
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