Firm History

Celebrating over 140 years in Practice

It was in 1863 that William Hilson Pigott began his legal practice at the corner of Pitt and Hunter Street and it is from these small beginnings that today's firm of Pigott Stinson has grown.

Looking back over the past 140 years, our firm has made a significant contribution to the development of our state. For example, Pigott had a prominent career in community service, becoming first Mayor of Petersham, a member of the Legislative Assembly and Legislative Council, author of the Municipalities Act and legal advisor to all the councils in the state. He was also vitally interested in education.

In 1869, Pigott formed a partnership with William Joseph Trickett, and both men became recognised as outstanding solicitor-politicians. (Trickett was later to relinquish his partnership for politics).

In 1900, Pigott merged his practice with John Stinson, who was also active in community service. He became Mayor of Burwood, President of Sydney Hospital, a council member of the Law Institute of NSW, and an honorary magistrate in NSW and Queensland. Stinson was also a pioneer in industrial arbitration law, which still plays a significant role in our firm.

In 1891, John Stuart Thom established J. Stuart Thom & Co, which was merged in 1990 to become Pigott Stinson Stuart Thom.

The final leg of today's firm was established when S D Ratner & Co. was founded in 1933 by David Ratner. In 1998, S D Ratner & Co. merged with Pigott Stinson Stuart Thom to become Pigott Stinson Ratner Thom. The name was shortened to Pigott Stinson as of Jan 1, 2007.

Although Pigott Stinson has always been at the forefront of the law, we have also retained our sense of history. Many of our clients have been with the firm for decades and this reflects our close association with our clients and desire to assist with their business needs.

There are few legal firms in NSW that can boast such a long and proud history.