In 1826 the practice of John Ward Gleadow, one of the earliest private barristers and solicitors in Tasmania, was established and from 1827 - 1880 operated from premises in St John Street, Launceston. Gleadow later entered into partnership with William Henty until Henty's retirement in the 1840s. Gleadow's son Richard joined his father after Henty's retirement. In 1862 Richard Gleadow entered into partnership with William Ritchie and Robert John Parker. As 'Gleadow, Ritchie and Parker'. After R Gleadow's retirement, the firm carried on under the name 'Ritchie & Parker'. Sons of the original Ritchie and Parker kept the firm going until in 1912/13 Ritchie & Parker amalgamated with Alfred Green & Co, and continued in business as 'Ritchie & Parker Alfred Green & Co' (NG1315).