About JHT
Welcome to Jones Harley Toole
The Australian legal market has seen significant activity as firms strive to find the best model to suit fast paced and changing legal demands.
Law firms need to adapt to deliver expert advice in a constantly shifting business landscape.
At Jones Harley Toole we believe it is about focusing on the client, not the brand and providing best outcome strategies and solutions to our personal and business clients.
After almost 50 years within the Australian legal market, we understand what is required to achieve even more for our clients.
Jones Harley Toole are legal experts with the experience to understand your personal and business needs.
Our leading lawyers provide legal and business advice across the insurance and commercial industries.
We are renowned for identifying and implementing successful strategies for effective solutions and for our engaging and inclusive approach.
Freed from national or fixed network ties we can partner with broader business or market partners (accounting, IT, IP or government) cleverly and constructively.
We look forward to a long and successful future, supporting the best interests of our clients locally, nationally and around the world.
Reflecting our experience in the insurance and commercial sectors, we have adopted the names of our senior insurance partner, Peter Jones, our senior commercial partner, Rick Harley, and our beloved and respected friend and partner, the late John Toole.
Jones Harley Toole are legal and corporate experts with the experience to understand your business needs.
Our History
Our story began in Adelaide in 1969.
We commenced as Ward & Partners, quickly establishing a reputation for excellence and expertise in service and skill, our firm soon became an iconic part of the Australian legal landscape.
Our alumni include multiple judicial appointments, senior counsel and highly respected industry leaders. We have been involved in some of Australia’s leading legal decisions and precedents and supported many of Australia’s foremost businesses and organisations.
In 2002 Ward & Partners merged with the national firm of Hunt & Hunt, continuing our journey as a pre-eminent legal service provider.
In 2015 our senior partner, John Hartley Toole, died unexpectedly. John had been with the firm from the very early days. A valued mentor and colleague, he was renowned for his extraordinary skill, genuineness and commitment to achieving the best outcome for the client.
John’s death caused us to reflect upon our lives, work and the way forward. We came to the decision that we wanted to do things differently, to embrace John’s ethos and provide an even better service to present and future clients.
And so begins our new chapter commencing 1st July 2016, as the firm Jones Harley Toole.
We feel community support is a wonderful way for us to promote positive messages.
Our Community
Supporting our local community.
Jones Harley Toole is committed to providing Pro Bono legal services, not just to our local community but on a much wider national scale.
The firm is a signatory to the National Pro Bono Aspirational Target with a commitment to undertake 35 hours of pro bono legal services per lawyer, per year.
We provide pro bono services to RSL-SA and its branch members, Country Fire Service Foundation, British Commonwealth Occupation Force Association, the SA Retirement Villages Association, National Servicemen's Association of Australia, United Way (early childhood literacy) and many other organisations and individuals who need legal assistance.
Jones Harley Toole is also proud to be associated with and support the South Australian Community Achievement Awards and is a category sponsor for the Jones Harley Toole Community Road Safety Award.
This award recognises individuals and/or organisations within our community who have acted to support road safety and reduce road trauma.
The effects of loss and damage from injury or death on our roads can be devastating not only for the injured person but for friends and family, and across the whole community. We are truly humbled by the achievements of those who work tirelessly to reduce those consequences.
The firm is also a major sponsor for the South Australian Community Football League which supports the many leagues, clubs, players, officials, supporters and volunteers across South Australia.
We feel it is a wonderful way for us to promote positive messages of health and teamwork to our metropolitan and country communities.
In addition, Jones Harley Toole extends its community support and sponsorship to various organisations and individuals throughout the year.