ZAFRA LEGAL - Key Persons
Adam holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce from Murdoch University. He also holds a postgraduate diploma in Applied Finance from the Financial Services Institute of Australasia (FINSIA).
Adam is a corporate and commercial lawyer, acting predominantly for resources and resource services businesses. Through his experience in the sector, both in private practice and as in-house counsel, Adam has become familiar with the key commercial drivers for resources projects at a corporate and operational level. He has an understanding of the project development lifecycle for resources assets and the legal support that project stakeholders and market participants require at its various stages.
Adam has front end professional services and construction contracts experience, advising clients in respect of contract formation, drafting and negotiation, primarily for resources services businesses.
Prior to joining Zafra Legal, Adam worked at Blakiston & Crabb and Gilbert + Tobin advising on mergers and acquisitions, equity offerings in public and private markets and general commercial matters. Adam also advises clients on company secretarial and regulatory matters, continuous disclosure and maintaining compliance with the Corporations Act and ASX Listing Rules.
In addition to his legal skill set, Adam also has relevant experience in a corporate advisory team of a Perth based stockbroking and investment firm.
Alison de Grussa is an experienced finance administration professional, having worked for over 22 years in accounts and payroll, obtained primarily in private practice law firms. Alison's experience has provided her with valuable insight and expertise in managing all aspects of Zafra Legal's finance function.
Alison is a dedicated problem-solver who enjoys assisting clients and staff by drawing on her broad skillset and knowledge of the legal services industry.
Job Titles:
- Office & Accounts Administrator
Cherry graduated from Murdoch University with a Bachelor of Laws. She also holds Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Arts in English Literature.
Prior to joining Zafra Legal, Cherry has gained her experience in the WA property industry for approximately 12 years. She advises clients on a range of property transactions which includes purchase and sale of residential and commercial property, deceased estate transaction, Court order transaction and property subdivisions. Cherry is fluent in Mandarin.
Job Titles:
- Managing Principal
- Fellow of the Art Gallery of Western Australia
Daniel Romano graduated from Murdoch University in 2002 with a double degree in Law and Commerce (Majoring in Accounting).
Daniel's practice covers all aspects of taxation advisory and dispute resolution, commercial law, corporate law, property law and commercial litigation matters with clients ranging from public and private corporations, professional services firms and high net worth families.
Daniel has acted as Counsel on matters before the Federal Court, the Full Court of the Federal Court, the Supreme Court, the Full Court of the Supreme Court, the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the State Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Daniel has also advised on investments by sovereign and international investors into Australian companies and businesses.
Daniel's commitment is to provide consistently high quality and personalised solutions to his clients' needs and objectives. He places a strong emphasis on meeting the needs of his clients in the most cost-effective and practical way possible.
Daniel is nominated as leading tax lawyer in Western Australia in the 2019 and 2020 Doyles Guide.
Daniel is Fellow of the Art Gallery of Western Australia and a member of the Law Society of Western Australia. He is a Chartered Tax Adviser and an active member of the Tax Institute of Australia.
Elizabeth graduated from Auckland University with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts. She was admitted to the High Court of New Zealand in February 1997 and was registered as a lawyer with the Supreme Court of NSW in November 2006 and to the Supreme Court of WA in April 2007.
Elizabeth has worked in various size practices including Clayton Utz Perth in its property practice group. Prior to joining Zafra Legal she operated an incorporated legal practice exclusively focused on estate planning.
With many years of legal experience, Elizabeth has gained a wealth of legal and practical life experience that she has channeled into her approach towards providing legal services to clients. Her goal is to be accessible, responsive and flexible to demonstrate to the client she genuinely cares about their needs.
Elizabeth has joined Zafra Legal as a Senior Associate as part of the Succession Planning practice group and continues to focus on this area of law.
James graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (1 st Class Honours) in 2011.
James maintains practice areas in commercial and corporate litigation, construction law, commercial advisory, and insolvency law. He regularly acts for clients in all local and federal courts and tribunals, and has acted for national charities and large corporate entities. James has experience acting in complex litigations involving the Criminal Property Confiscation Act 2000 and the Competition and Consumer Act 2010.
In recent years, James has acquired a special focus in the field of estate law, and in addition to advising and representing clients in all areas of estate planning and business / succession planning, he represents clients in deceased estate dispute resolution, including contested interpretations of wills, judicial advice proceedings and challenges issued under the Family Provision Act 1972. James is available to act as a professional executor for deceased estates, and brings a wealth of experience to the role.
James has previously acted as a sitting member of the Law Society of Western Australia's Young Lawyers' Committee, and is a long-serving adjudicator for the Law Society's Mock Trials competition.
Kealey holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce from Curtin University.
Kealey joined Zafra Legal as a Law Graduate in 2025, practicing primarily in our Property and Commercial practice areas.
Lachlan holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Notre Dame Australia and a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia.
As a member of our Litigation and Dispute Resolution team, Lachlan primarily services matters at both at a pre-litigation stage and in a litigated environment. Lachlan represents and advises clients on contractual disputes, consumer law claims and disputes across a range of commercial disciplines. He also has expertise in commercial drafting and corporate compliance.
Lachlan collaborates closely with clients to provide practical legal advice and deliver effective outcomes.
Laura holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Notre Dame.
As a key member of our property practice, Laura advises our clients on retail and commercial leasing, sale and purchase transactions, land development transactions, planning and due diligence. Laura also has expertise in trusts and general commercial advisory.
Prior to joining Zafra Legal, Laura worked in private practice for approximately five years at both national and WA focused law firms in Perth.
Job Titles:
- ADMINISTRATION ASSISTANT
- Assistant
Leila holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Western Australia. Leila is currently completing her Juris Doctor. She has prior experience as a paralegal and in retail.
As an Administration Assistant, Leila is dedicated to helping our clients supporting our team.
Luke holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce from Curtin University.
Luke commenced at Zafra Legal in 2023 and is a Solicitor in our litigation and dispute resolution team.
Matilda holds a Bachelor of Laws (1st Class Honours) and Bachelor of Biomedical Science from the University of Notre Dame.
Matthew is an experienced commercial litigator and practises in a broad range of areas including commercial and partnership disputes, Corporations Act advice, property and lease disputes, consumer and competition law and insolvency. He has significant experience in building and construction matters including adjudications under the security of payment legislation and arbitration hearings.
Matthew regularly appears as counsel in contested matters in State and Federal Courts as well as the State Administrative Tribunal.
Matthew also assists business owners with their commercial dealings, including in relation to terms and conditions, service agreements and other commercial contracts, and he routinely helps clients with registering trade marks.
Matthew is an experienced negotiator and advocates strategies that obtain the best commercial outcome. He works closely with his clients to provide pragmatic and concise legal advice to meet their needs and challenges and has developed a strong reputation for delivering a personalised and attentive service.
Matthew holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia.
Job Titles:
- Member of the Law Society
- SPECIAL COUNSEL
Natalie Romano (nee Graskoski) graduated from Murdoch University in 2007 with a double degree in Law and Commerce (Major in Professional Accounting) and as the valedictorian of her graduating class.
Natalie was admitted to practice as a barrister and solicitor in 2008 in the Supreme Court of Western Australia and the Federal Court of Australia.
Natalie is an experienced workplace relations and employment lawyer, who assists employers and employees with understanding their rights and obligations. She advocates a proactive approach to compliance with the law and dispute resolution. She has acted as Counsel for clients and enjoys representing clients to ensure their rights are advanced and protected. She has acquired a wealth of experience which has enabled her to develop a wide skill set which clients take great benefit from when consulting her for employment matters.
Natalie advises across the following areas:
Termination of employment
Unfair dismissal
Redundancy
Restraints of trade
Sexual harassment
Discrimination and adverse action claims
HR advice
Drafting employment contracts
Advising on the coverage and application of Modern Awards
Advising on and drafting executive and senior employee contracts
Drafting policies and procedures
Fair Work Ombudsman complaints
Wage claims
She is passionate about client services at Zafra Legal and is determined to achieve the most favourable outcomes for her clients in the most efficient and economical manner possible.
Natalie is a member of the Law Society, the Women Lawyers of Western Australia and a Fellow of the Art Gallery of Western Australia.
Sandra holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) from Curtin University.
Sandra is a solicitor in our commercial and corporate practice, advising clients in relation to sale and purchase transactions, corporate establishment, business structuring and financing transactions.
Sandra also has expertise in providing project related advice and legal deliverables to clients in professional services, project development and construction, primarily operating in the natural resources and property sectors.
Sandra has native proficiency in Spanish.