History

Rudall & Rudall is one of the oldest legal firms in South Australia. The historic legal practice that helped to shape Gawler continues to serve the community to this day.

Rudall & Rudall was founded by John Rudall who established a legal office in Gawler in 1854. John Rudall was the first Town Clerk of the Town of Gawler and served in that role until he was appointed as the resident Gawler Magistrate in 1881 to coincide with the opening of the Cowan Street Courthouse.

John Rudall's son, Samuel Bruce Rudall, took over both the legal firm and the position of Town Clerk (1881-1914) and was a State MP for the local area from 1905-1915.

Samuel's son Reginald (RJ) became a Rhodes Scholar in 1908 later joining the legal firm and becoming State MP from 1933-1955 including seven years as Minister for Education and nine years as Attorney-General in Playford Governments.

The Rudall Family connection was tragically affected by the loss of both children of RJ and Kathleen Rudall, John and Peter, in action in the Second World War. Peter went down with the HMAS Sydney in unexplained circumstances, while John (or Jake) was killed leading his platoon in New Guinea.

The Rudall family connection to the legal practice ended in 1955 when RJ died and Lawrence Bills then took over the practice. His son Tony Bills is currently the senior lawyer at Rudall & Rudall. Lawrence commenced at the firm in 1937 and continued to serve the community of Gawler until his death in 1974.

The firm helped to set up the Hutchinson Hospital, which is now the Gawler Health Service. Throughout its history Rudall & Rudall has always had members in prominent positions on the board of the Hutch and then the Gawler Health Service, and also on the Gawler and Districts Aged Cottage Homes board since its inception.

We continue to regularly speak at various business and service gatherings on all legal topics and welcome you to contact our firm if we can be of assistance to you.

The firm has provided pro bono services to local sporting and social groups as well as individuals who have required assistance in difficult times. We have also made charitable donations to local sporting and social groups.