Ward Keller was formed on the 1st of November 1963 when Richard Keller joined the practice of Richard Charles Ward (better known as ‘Dick Ward’). Although the two men practised together for only three years, the name of the firm has remained through the succession of many partners of the firm.

Mallam

In fact the history of the firm can be traced all the way back to 1910 when a legal practitioner by the name of Ross Ibbotson Dalton Mallam came to Darwin to practice law. Mallam was born in England in 1878 and was admitted to the Bar in South Australia in 1902. Mallam practised law in the Territory for 18 years before being appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory in 1928. Mallam was described as having a sharply exacting and sceptical mind, being scrupulously intent on fairness, and a robust advocate of his clients cause. Interestingly the original premises from which Mallam practiced (being a small brick building near the Bell Tea Rooms) was on the same site that is now NT House where Ward Keller's head office is located.

Fitzgerald & Newell

It is understood that whilst Mallam was practising law, he took in a partner, WJP Fitzgerald. On Mallam’s appointment to the Supreme Court, Fitzgerald took over the practice. Sometime later, Newell joined Fitzgerald as a partner and the firm was known as Fitzgerald & Newell.

Newell & Ward

By 1939, Newell was practising on his own account and was joined by Dick Ward. Ward became a partner at the age of 22. However he was called up to serve in World War II and Newell continued to practice on his own while Ward was away.
In 1946, after his return, Ward established the first and only legal practice in Alice Springs. He took on a partner, Hargrave, who was from a prominent Adelaide family and the firm was known as Ward & Hargrave.
At one point, Ward moved to Adelaide and became a partner in what then became known as Alderman Clark Ligerwood and Ward. However by 1956, Ward was back in Darwin, again in partnership with Newell under the banner Newell & Ward.
After Newell’s death, Dick Ward continued to practice on his own, although he retained the name of the firm.
Richard Keller arrived in Darwin on the evening of the 21st of June 1961. Keller was offered a job with Ward but left after three months to set up his own firm, Keller & Bauer.

The firm gratefully acknowledges the contribution of Mr Richard Keller, retired founding partner of Ward Keller, for providing some of this historical information.