“David Lawrence Levy (1828–93)[1], a native of Gravesend, Kent, arrived in New South Wales about 1853 and became one of the leading legal practitioners in Sydney. As a partner in a well-known firm, he enjoyed a wide reputation as a specialist in common law. A loyal supporter of Jewish causes and charities, Levy donated generously towards the Great Synagogue building fund. He also made handsome contribution towards the erection of Sydney’s Prince Alfred Hospital, and was co-owner of the city’s Theatre Royal . . .” [2]
“The founder of another lasting [law] practice—now styled Perkins, Stevenson & Linton—was David Laurence [sic] Levy (admitted in Sydney 30 April 1853). An English solicitor of recent standing, Levy sought to advance himself by migrating to the Colony, and had probably arranged for his friend James Lionel Michael (admitted in Sydney 30 July 1853) to travel out and join him. A partnership agreement was made between them in June of that year in contemplation of Michael’s colonial admission.
“Levy & Michael subsisted for only four years. . . .
“In practice on his own account in Sydney, Levy was a prominent member of the Jewish community. He took into articles, by assignment from R. J. Want, a young Englishman Alfred De Lissa whom he permitted simultaneously to serve as Secretary to the Great Synagogue, and whom he took into partnership on De Lissa’s admission on 30 March 1866. The partnership lasted until 1878 when De Lissa went his own way, . . . Levy practiced alone down to the close of the period here reviewed [1856–1884], continuing active as a member of the Board of the Synagogue and having been its solicitor, treasurer and a trustee from 1871 to 1877.”[3]
“On 1 September 1883 Alexander Edmund Hemsley, the son of an English solicitor, and himself an English solicitor of recent standing, was admitted in New South Wales. Levy took him into partnership with the style of Levy & Hemsley. This Hemsley did not leave a permanent mark on the colonial profession unless it be found in his encouraging his younger brother Alfred Macartney Hemsley to travel out to Sydney and join the firm. A. M. Hemsley was admitted in New South Wales on 5 February 1886. As it eventuated, the elder brother returned to England while the younger brother went on to a career in New South Wales such that his name continues as common currency in the profession.
“Ernest Waddell Perkins became a partner with Levy and A. M. Hemsley and the resulting firm of Levy, Hemsley & Perkins lasted until Levy’s death in 1893. In the following year A. M. Hemsley left the practice and joined the Allen family in the firm thereafter known as Allen, Allen & Hemsley.”[4]
On 7 November 1855 David Lawrence Levy married Jane (1837–1907), the sixth daughter of Henry Cohen. The witnesses to the marriage were: Joseph Simmons Senr and Philip Cohen. The officiating clergyman was Jacob Isaacs. There were apparently no issue of the union.
