We are pleased to advise our clients that Cragg Braye and Thornton is merging with Umbrella
Legal Services.
Cragg Braye and Thornton had its genesis in 1900 when William Cragg, who was admitted on 18
November 1899 as a solicitor commenced practice in Singleton on his own account, one year
later joining the firm of A J Gould, a Sydney based solicitor who started that firm in 1887.
In 1901 Mr Cragg and Mr Robinson became partners in the firm of A J Gould which name
continued up until 1904 when the firm became known as Gould Robinson & Cragg. The
partnership ended in 1908 at which time William Cragg commenced practice under the name of
Wm J Cragg.
in 1943 William Cragg joined Mr Cecil Whitfield and as partners, the firm name became William
J Cragg & Whitfield, continuing up until 1965. In 1964 Mr Alf Braye joined the practice then being
conducted by TF Cragg. The firm at that time was known as William J Cragg & Cragg, changing
its name in 1965 to William J Cragg, Cragg & Braye. That name continued up until 1976 when Mr
Seamer joined the firm, shortly before the retirement of TF Cragg and the firm became known as
Cragg Braye & Seamer.
In 1983 the firm changed its name to Cragg Braye & Co, before changing its name to Cragg
Braye & Thornton in 1986. The practice has continued under that trading name up to the
present.
Having practised as a solicitor for 40 years and being involved in the legal profession for over 45
years, it is now time for me to start spending more time with my family. Accordingly, and to
ensure continuity of our client’s needs, Cragg Braye and Thornton is now becoming a part of
Umbrella Legal . I am now stepping back to hand over the firm to a younger generation of
lawyers with a long-term presence in Singleton and the Newcastle region.
It is my desire that clients, some of whom have entrusted the firm with meeting their legal
needs over generations. It is my strong wish that clients of Cragg Braye and Thornton continue
to have their legal needs, whether existing or future met by lawyers who share the same passion
for meeting those needs on an ongoing basis. For that reason, I have chosen Umbrella Legal to
merge my practice with so that there is a continuity of service to you. To ensure the continuity of
our relationship with you and service to you, your legal documents held in safe deposit by us
and your existing matter or matters with Cragg Braye and Thornton, will be will be transferred to
the Singleton office of Umbrella Legal at 77 John Street Singleton and can be contacted on 02
4911 2300 or by email on admin@umbrellalegal.com.au. I will be joining Umbrella Legal until
retiring at the end of June 2025 and will be ceasing to practice law at that time. I am happy to
advise that both Daniel Castro and Cynthia Codrington will be staying on with Umbrella Legal.
Umbrella Legal has been established in both Singleton and Newcastle since 2018. The Principal of
Umbrella Legal, Kaela Carter, has strong ties to the Hunter Valley with many family members hailing
from, or still resident in, the Singleton and Muswellbrook Communities.
The firm was commenced from the “ground up” by the Principal and was established as an inclusive
firm where everyone is welcome. The firm services a range of general practice areas including
Commercial Law, Conveyancing, Wills & Estates, Crime, Family Law, and others, as well as offering
mediation services.Umbrella Legal prides itself on being able to assist its client’s with not only the legal problem at
hand, but also helping to navigate other aspects of their circumstances through referrals to other
services in the Singleton and Newcastle areas for a holistic approach to legal practice.
I am confident that Kaela and her team will continue to meet your legal needs with the same
level of expertise and service that you have come to expect.