I was born and raised in Sydney’s eastern suburbs. I attended Sydney Boy’s High, completed a Bachelor of Arts full time, then a Bachelor of Business by corespondence, then a Bachelor of Laws part time at the University of Technology, Sydney whilst working in university administration.
From 1997 until I worked in paralegal roles for the NSW Director of Public Prosecutions, the Australian Government Solicitor, and the Law Society of NSW.
In 2000 I worked for a year as an employed solicitor for Atkinson & Vinden, then I took a year’s sabbatical from law to fulfil my long held ambition of teaching English in Japan. On resuming my legal career in 2002, I worked for 7 years as an employed solicitor practising mainly Family Law for a small Eastern Suburbs legal practice. I then spent 2 years developing the inaugural Family Law Duty Solicitor program at the Hunter Community Legal Centre in Newcastle. I then worked as an employed solicitor for the Penrith law practice Burston Cole and Associates until I opened Mid Mountains Legal in 2018.
I have extensive experience representing clients in at least 11 local courts in NSW. I have appeared in Family Law matters in several Registries of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (FCFCOA). I have also appeared in the District Court and in the Supreme Court of NSW, in the then Guardianship Tribunal, and in the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT).
Your need for a lawyer often arises at difficult times in your life. So much can be riding on the outcome of your matter. Commencing or becoming enmeshed in legal proceedings can be traumatic, time consuming, drawn out and prohibitively costly.
I apply my extensive experience to every aspect of your legal matter. I provide you with practical legal advice, discussing your options with you.
I understand that during this period you need someone who is compassionate, approachable, understanding and empathetic and who is readily available to listen to your concerns. I aim to dispel your confusion and uncertainty and focus on tirelessly working to achieve the best possible outcome for you.
I support and guide you whilst fearlessly representing you and protecting your interests. I take a realistic goal-oriented approach and I am thorough, persistent and hard working. I do my utmost to resolve your legal problems as quickly and cost effectively as possible so you can get on with your life.
I explain the steps to be taken and the potential costs and benefits of choosing a particular path, and outline alternate strategies to help you make informed decisions. My goal is to help you understand your current position, what to expect and why, and what you can do about it.
I focus on the significant aspects of legal documents and explain in plain English the meaning and effect of often arcane and obscure, complex and confusing legal jargon.
Whilst remaining open to fair and reasonable settlement proposals, if negotiation and mediation results in a stalemate and compromise seems unattainable, I don’t hesitate to enter into the fray. In litigation I am assertive, determined, persistent, resilient, strategic and relentless in pursuing your interests.
My involvement in the blue mountains community includes:
- Committee member of the Blue Mountains Regional Law Society;
- Volunteer – the Blue Mountains Music Festival;
- Volunteer – the Brook Community Theatre;
- Executive Committee Member – Wentworth Falls Chamber of Commerce and Community
I appreciate that you may find it difficult to take time off work to come to my office and that family members you appointed as your attorney or guardian may visit this area infrequently. I am available for appointments outside business hours.
If you have mobility problems and live in the blue mountains, I am willing to travel to your location, on short notice if necessary.
If you have a legal problem in one of my areas of practice, please contact me for a free telephone consultation or to arrange an appointment.
