RAE & PARTNERS - Key Persons
Amber manages the civil litigation team, including mentoring the other lawyers that make up the Rae & Partners team. She practices primarily in Estate litigation and in Industrial Relations and Employment Law. Amber was admitted to practice in 2003 and is a Trustee of the WD Booth Charitable Trust. In her spare time, she's a cultured sort, and loves to go to the theatre, travel and sample Tassie's lovely wines.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate - Family Law
Amber provides advice and assistance to clients regarding legal issues relating to children and parenting arrangements, child protection matters, change of a child's name, divorce, and matrimonial property settlements.
She is the President of the North West Young Lawyers Committee, the Public Officer of the management committee of the North West Community Legal Centre and a committee member of the Family Law Practitioners Association of Tasmania. Amber was admitted to the legal profession in 2019 and has a Bachelor of Laws degree.
In 2022 Amber was awarded the Tasmanian Law Society Young Lawyers Award in recognition for her outstanding contribution to the Tasmanian Legal Profession.
Having filled our Devonport office with house plants, when she's not at work Amber is often collecting more plants for her jungle office.
Job Titles:
- Principal - Commercial, Property and Estate Planning
Amelia's specialities are estate planning, commercial and property transactions, with particular expertise in business and farming transactions.
Prior to the law, Amelia pursued a career in nursing and worked in aged care. These days, she volunteers her time for Launceston based boards and committees. Amelia attends our Scottsdale office on Tuesdays fortnightly and is available by appointment.
Outside of work, Amelia is an avid reader and believes she will write the great Australian tell-all novel (under a pseudonym of course).
Job Titles:
- Associate - Commercial Law, Property and Estate Planning
Two things Amy loves are, firstly, meeting new people and secondly, the intricacies of the law. That makes her absolutely passionate about her role at Rae and Partners.
Amy completed her Bachelor of Laws with Distinction in Victoria and worked extensively with multiple legal organisations throughout her education. She demonstrates her passion for the law on a daily basis and is determined to achieve the best possible outcomes for her clients. Amy returned to Tasmania with a vision to support her local community, individuals and businesses and now practices primarily in commercial law, property law and estate planning.
When she takes a break from helping you with your legal ventures, Amy can be found keeping active and exploring new places with her family.
Job Titles:
- Conveyancing Clerk - Property Team
Bevan is your go-to for facilitating property purchases and sale transactions. He's been working in the legal industry since 1982, which gives you a hint at his broad knowledge in the field. Something few people know about him is that, had he not signed on for the law, he'd be working in hospitality, Basil Fawlty style.
Job Titles:
- Conveyancing Clerk - Property Team
Brodie is a clerk in our conveyancing team and works with our firm's directors and solicitors on residential and commercial conveyancing matters.
With over 15 years' experience in conveyancing practice, Brodie is well-poised to assist our vendor and purchaser clients with their conveyancing transaction.
Brodie prides herself in developing strong relationships with our firm's clients. She approaches the conveyancing process by providing clear, timely and open communication and is committed to working towards an efficient and timely settlement on our clients' transactions.
Job Titles:
- Commercial Solicitor
- Principal - Commercial Law, Property & Estate Planning
Cassandra is a commercial solicitor and an absolute dab hand at everything - from property law, property development, conveyancing and auctions, to leasing and licensing, mortgages, local government to estate planning and wills.
She was admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2013, the same year that she commenced work with Rae & Partners.
Cassandra is an achiever; she was the goody-two-shoes at school and things haven't changed. Except that now, the day ends with a good glass of red.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor - Commercial Law, Property and Estate Planning
Christie provides advice and assistance to clients regarding legal issues relating to children and matrimonial property settlements. Christie was admitted to the legal profession in 2015 and has a combined Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws degree, with honours in law. She has a background in commercial and property law, but now practices family law. On weekends, Christie loves day trips with her family. Once, Christie skydived with her 80-year-old Pop in New Zealand. True story.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Board
- Senior Associate - Commercial Law, Property and Estate Planning
Clare specialises in commercial and property transactions, and estate planning, with particular expertise and interest in subdivisions, commercial and farming transactions.
Prior to the law, Clare had a successful career in agribusiness banking with one of the big four banks, including strategic planning and strategic projects of significance to the rural sector.
Clare also has health sector experience having originally practiced as a nurse, which has provided invaluable interpersonal skills for navigating negotiations on behalf of her clients.
Clare is currently a board member of a number of boards in and around Launceston. Outside of work, Clare is kept busy raising a family and pursuing swimming, cycling and bushwalking.
Job Titles:
- Conveyancing Clerk - Property Team
Having been a real estate agent for 10 years Courtney brings a unique level of expertise to the conveyancing team.
Courtney has worked alongside the directors at Rae & Partners for over 8 years, assisting in both residential and commercial transactions.
Courtney's work ethic, coupled with a high level of service to clients, ensures they feel well-informed and supported throughout the whole transaction.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate - Commercial & Property Law
Ella has recently relocated back to Tasmania to join our commercial and property law practice group.
Ella has worked with some of the largest national property portfolio groups and property developers in Australia, including publicly listed companies.
Ella has a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Business from La Trobe University in Melbourne. After being admitted to practice in the Victorian Supreme Court and to the High Court of Australia, Ella worked for a top tier law firm in Melbourne as part of their Infrastructure, Construction & Property Practice Group.
Ella was a presenter at the Property Council of Australia Retail Leasing Seminar in both 2017 and 2018.
Areas of expertise include:
Emily is a senior family lawyer with expertise across all family law services including children's matters, property matters, financial agreements, consent orders, mediation and divorce. She mentors other family law team members across our offices, providing advice and guidance.
Emily has been practising family law exclusively since her admission in 1999 and is a member of the Family Law Practitioners Association (Tasmania) and the Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators. Importantly, Emily is passionate about her work, guided by empathy and common sense, the proof being that many of her cases are resolved in mediation, sparing clients unnecessary anxiety and expense.
She is extremely organised. Meticulously so. And that would be because she's the doting mother of twin girls.
Job Titles:
- Conveyancing Clerk - Property Team
Jane has been working in the legal industry for 22 years, 8 of which have been in the area of conveyancing. She finds it deeply satisfying to be able to help people change their lives. If she hadn't worked in the law, you would have found Jane in the maternity ward, delivering babies as a midwife.
Jenna is passionate about justice. Even from a young age, she has always had a strong desire to speak up for those who need support - even if her many siblings never actually asked for any!
Today, she practices Family Law based at Rae & Partners Devonport, advising in relation to both children's and property matters.
Jenna strives to provide practical advice that is easy to understand. She enjoys getting to know her clients so she can understand their unique needs and family dynamic to achieve the best possible resolution.
Jenna was admitted to the legal profession in 2018 and has a combined Bachelor of Arts and Laws with First Class Honours in Law.
When not in the office, Jenna enjoys reading too many books at once and spending time with friends and family. A complete food obsessive, Jenna can always be found either reading a cookbook, investigating a menu, or eating as much as possible.
Job Titles:
- Principal - Commercial Law, Property and Estate Planning
Jillian is a senior Commercial Lawyer and Principal at Rae & Partners. She also assists in managing the Devonport office of Rae & Partners and the Devonport Commercial team, and mentors young lawyers within the firm. Jillian graduated with a combined degree of Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws with Honours in Law and a Bachelor of Business with Postgraduate First Class Honours in Accounting and Corporate Governance.
Since graduating in 2010, Jillian has worked exclusively for Rae & Partners. She maintains a loyalty to the firm and, it follows, a loyalty to the firm's clients. Having grown up on the North-West Coast and returned to work in Devonport after her studies, Jillian's local integration and knowledge are an invaluable contribution to any transaction touching or concerning local property or business.
Jillian's extensive experience and particular interest in Property and Commercial Law transactions, along with her enthusiasm for problem-solving, gives her the confidence and expertise to negotiate and deliver practical and efficient commercial outcomes for her clients.
Jillian also has a strong commitment to product quality and a passion for delivering comprehensive and pragmatic pre-contractual advice to her clients.
Practising in all areas of the firm's Commercial Law, Property and Estate Planning streams, Jillian's particular areas of expertise include:
Commercial and property transactions
Retail, commercial and residential leasing and licencing
Purchase and sale of commercial, agricultural and residential real property
Property development, including subdivision, strata and staged developments
Financing, securities and mortgages
Local Government property and commercial transactions and advice
Business and personal asset protection and structures
Superannuation and trusts
Wills, estate planning and business succession planning
Estate administration
Business and farming transactions
Although Jillian has a solid work ethic, evident in all aspects of her practice, she also manages to find the time and energy outside of her practice to fulfil her role in the Zonta Club of Devonport and enjoy life with her husband and four young boys on their hobby farm.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate - Estate Administration and Civil Litigation
Jo works from the Launceston office advising on legal issues ranging from Wills and Estate settlement to commercial matters. She moved to Tassie in 2017 after graduating earlier that year and working for Lavan Lawyers in Perth, WA. She's an achiever! During her honours degree she was recognised as the National Indigenous Law Student of the Year 2016, awarded by the Federal Attorney General. She also received the Southern Cross University Academic Excellence Award, the Bruce Miles Foundation Prize for Excellence in Law, the Tony Pagotto Prize for the highest mark in law placement and was sponsored by the Far North Coast Law Society. And if that's not enough to impress you, she did it all by distance education while raising seven children and working as a florist. These days Jo is a Committee Member for the Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (Tasmanian rep) and the Australian Lawyers for Human Rights (Indigenous Sub-committee). I think you can see why Rae & Partners snapped her up.
John brings expertise in personal injury law, criminal law, and commercial litigation to the Rae & Partners team.
John commenced his career as a member of the Royal Australian Navy. He then moved into working with a state-owned insurer, where he held several key positions and was appointed by the Minister to be part of the Legislative Review Team to review the Motor Accidents (Liabilities and Compensation) Act 1973. John was also involved in the drafting of amendments to the Motor Accidents (Liabilities and Compensation) Act 1973 and Regulations.
John is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the Supreme Court of Tasmania. He worked within several firms as a legal practitioner before starting his own law firm, Pedder Schuh, in 2011. Pedder Schuh's merger with Rae & Partners in 2023 saw John join the Dispute Resolution team as a consultant, bringing his extensive experience and knowledge to the team.
Outside of work, John enjoys music, either listening to his favourite bands, going to concerts or playing his guitars. He also attempts to surf when he can, quite badly.
Job Titles:
- Associate - Commercial Law, Property and Estate Planning
Katie completed her studies in law with the University of New England in NSW. She relocated from NSW to the North West Coast of Tasmania and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Tasmania in 2019. Katie has quickly established herself on the North West Coast developing a practice in Commercial Law, Conveyancing and Estate Planning. Katie enjoys meeting new people, listening to their needs, and working with them to provide them with both practical and appropriate legal solutions and advice. Katie is ably supported by her assistant Kushanie De Silva.
Katie volunteers her time in community organisations and is the current Chair of the Kentish Regional Clinic Board, a community organisation based in North West Tasmania that provides support and training programs to individuals, families and organisations tackling serious community issues including suicide prevention, LGBTIQA+ and diversity training, mental health self-care and family led education interaction programs for children under 5. Katie has been involved as a Board Member for 5 years and Chair for the past 3 years.
Prior to her career in law, Katie had a career in marketing, specifically food and wine from regional Australia and has a strong background and knowledge in small business and the hospitality sector. Katie is passionate about good food and wine and sharing this with her family and friends at every opportunity. Katie lives by the words of the late great home chef Julia Child "To be a good cook you have to have a love of the good, a love of hard work, and a love of creating." Katie lives by these words in all aspects of her life, including her professional life and prides herself on working hard and creatively as a part of the Rae & Partners team to meet the needs of our clients.
Job Titles:
- Conveyancing Clerk - Property Team
Laura is a dedicated Conveyancing Clerk at Rae & Partners, bringing a wealth of knowledge and experience from her background in the legal and health industries. With a passion for providing exceptional client service, Laura is committed to making the conveyancing process as stress-free as possible for all our clientele through her expertise and professionalism.
With a remarkable five years of experience in the legal industry, all of which have been spent at Rae & Partners, Laura has developed a deep understanding of the intricacies of conveyancing procedures. Her extensive knowledge and attention to detail ensure that clients receive accurate and timely information, providing them with peace of mind and confidence in their transactions.
Education has been a cornerstone of Laura's professional development. She is currently pursuing a Bachelor of Media & Communication (Public Relations), with an expected graduation in 2024. She also holds a Bachelor of Business (Marketing), which has provided her with a solid foundation in strategic thinking and effective communication.
Job Titles:
- Principal - Litigation & Family Law
Lauren is a pro in all areas of family law, regularly appearing in the Federal Circuit Court and the Family Court of Australia. She also leads our Financial Secured Recoveries team, acting for major banks and other financial institutions, advising on recovery options and enforcement strategies. Lauren is a member of the Family Law Practitioners Association of Tasmania and is part of the Executive Committee of the Council of the Law Society of Tasmania (of which she has been a member since 2013). Importantly, she loves a good laugh, and her chuckles can be heard a good mile away.
Job Titles:
- Associate - Commercial and Employment Law
- Member of a Team
Louis practices in Industrial Relations and Employment Law and in Civil and Estate Litigation, and maintains a small practice in Estate Planning. He has previously practiced in Commercial and Property Law and occasionally accepts instructions in those areas.
In the industrial relations and employment law practice area Louis represents and advises employer and employee clients alike in matters including the preparation of employment contracts, disciplinary processes, disputes in relation to restraints of trade, and proceedings in the Tasmanian Industrial Commission, Fair Work Commission and the courts.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts and Law with Honours in Law and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, along with an earlier qualification in technical engineering.
Prior to entering the legal profession Louis worked as a mechanical draftsman for 13 years. For 5 of those years, he was also studying law. This background has provided practical design thinking skills and made him an experienced and detail-oriented problem-solver.
Louis is a member of a team of lawyers at Rae & Partners who work pro bono with clients of the Tasmanian Refugee Legal Service, and he volunteers with the Launceston Community Legal Centre and is on the board of a highly regarded local school.
Job Titles:
- Chairman of the Board for an NDIS Service Provider
- Consultant - Commercial Law, Property & Estate Planning
Matthew advises on high-level commercial transactions, business entity structuring, governance and corporations law, trusts, tax, wills and estate planning and business succession planning. He is passionate about helping clients transform ideas and aspirations into reality, while protecting their interests along the way.
Matthew's career spans over 20 years as a commercial lawyer in Hobart, Launceston and Devonport, eight years as a Board Member of The Tax Institute (of which he was National President in 2017, is currently a Chartered Tax Advisor and was awarded Life Membership in 2018). Matthew is also a member of the Law Society of Tasmania, the Australian Legal Practice Management Association, the Continuing Legal Education Association of Australia. He is also the Australia Area Director for the J. Reuben Clark Law Society. In 2022 Matthew was recognised by his peers in Doyle's Guide as a leading corporate, commercial and business lawyer in Tasmania.
Matthew has a great interest in teaching commercial law and particularly enjoys mentoring young legal practitioners, both inside and outside the Firm. In 2019 Matthew was appointed as the Commercial and Corporate Practice course convenor for the Centre for Legal Studies (an adjunct of the University of Tasmania) where he teaches post-graduate commercial law practice. He has also published extensively on legal practice management and frequently presents on GST and other commercial law-related topics.
Outside the law, Matthew is also Chair of the Board for an NDIS service provider company, Enriched Care Solutions, which makes a real difference in the lives of those who are differently-abled. What few people know is that Matthew is also an AFOL (adult fan of Lego), a fair-weather motorcyclist and an avid pianist of 40 years. He particularly enjoys composing songs for his family, especially for his grandchildren.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director - Commercial, Property and Estate Planning
Drawing on a broad range of commercial experience, Mel provides clients with practical and commercial oriented guidance and advice tailored to their specific circumstances.
With over 20 years' experience of legal practice, Melanie has developed a special interest in Property law, particularly in property development and real estate transactions. Her clients also rely on her experience in the practice areas of Commercial law and Wills, Estate Planning and Estate Administration.
Mel absolutely loves her clients and takes every opportunity to listen, problem-solve and generally get to know them better.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate - Litigation
Olivia specialises in criminal and civil litigation. She conducts hearings in the Magistrates Court and has experience providing advice and representation on a wide range of matters. She has taken great pleasure in volunteering with the Launceston Community Legal Centre since she commenced work at Rae & Partners in 2016.
Olivia's goal in life is to win The Amazing Race and, in preparation, she has been trying to learn various languages. So far, she can count to 10 in Japanese and say hello in Spanish.
Job Titles:
- Conveyancing Clerk - Property Team
Philippa has over 15 years' experience working in the conveyancing industry and works in all aspects of the Purchase and Sale of residential property.
Philippa is known for her efficiency and attention to detail.
Philippa strives to give her clients practical and clear advice - she has worked on a wide range of complex matters during her time working in the property team and has the experience to assist her clients realise their property ownership aspirations.
Job Titles:
- Consultant - Commercial Law, Property & Estate Planning
Phil has extensive experience in all areas of commercial and property law, including development, sales, purchases and subdivisions, with a particular interest in the tourism and hospitality sector. He is a past member of the Property Law and Succession Law Committees of the Law Society, and a Director, both past and present, of various charitable organisations. Phil was a founding Director of Rae & Partners. Amongst a diverse range of interests, from architecture and building to bushwalking and cross-country skiing, an addiction to fly fishing tops the list!
Sheryl-lee joins Rae & Partners with an established career in civil litigation, with an emphasis on personal injury, workers compensation and employment law. She is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Queensland, the Supreme Court of Tasmania, and the High Court.
From her beginnings in Crown Law Queensland, Sheryl-lee moved into roles in several Queensland departments as a Legal Officer, and diversified into policy and legislation work.
Since moving to Tasmania, she has worked as an Electorate Advisor to two Tasmanian Senators and as a legal practitioner in two prominent law firms, before opening her own law firm, Pedder Schuh, in 2011.
In 2023, Pedder Schuh merged with Rae & Partners, with Sheryl-lee bringing her considerable talents to the Dispute Resolution team. She is known for her compassionate approach to her clients.
Outside of work, Sheryl-lee's passions include yoga, travel, champagne, and her family - not necessarily in that order.
Job Titles:
- Solicitor - Commercial Law, Property and Estate Planning
Sophie is a solicitor at Rae & Partners, working closely with Stuart Blom in commercial and property law, as well as wills, estate planning, and estate administration. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in Finance, and a Bachelor of Laws.
Sophie began her studies in Victoria before returning to Tasmania to complete her final three years of study. During this time, she gained hands-on experience as a paralegal at Rae & Partners and a deep understanding of the law in practice, making the transition to solicitor a natural step.
Outside of work, Sophie enjoys making the most of Tasmania's coastal lifestyle, whether spending time at the beach or unwinding with family and friends.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate - Commercial Law, Property and Estate Planning
Sophie works in the firm's commercial law department, specialising in property, business and other commercial transactions. Her past experience includes working in-house for a construction company and for a top tier legal firm in Canberra. This unique mix of commercial law and commercial building experience provides her with valuable insight into the industry in which her clients operate. In her spare time, Sophie helps her husband milking cows on their dairy farm.
Job Titles:
- Director - Commercial Law, Property and Estate Planning
Stuart's areas of prowess encompass commercial and property law, Estates and Estate Planning. Stuart is well known for the careful but commercial way he approaches a deal. He is a current Director of NRM North and a former Director of Heritage Isle Credit Union. When he's not helping clients or spending time with his wife and daughters, he's likely to be poring over his other passion: collecting watches. Which might explain a certain saying he's known for in the office, relating to the tick-tock of life's trajectory: "What has been done cannot be undone."
Job Titles:
- Consultant - Commercial, Property and Estate Planning
Will is well known in Tasmania for his practical commercial approach to the law.
Will specialises in Commercial, Property Law (especially rural transactions), and Estate Planning.
In his "spare" time, Will loves to cycle, run and to farm!