Meet Our Authors

A general practice lawyer for 50 years, Guy is also widely experienced in business and the co-founder of By Lawyers Global Publishing. As the original author of many By Lawyers publications, Guy is one of the most widely read legal authors in Australia and he maintains an active oversight of all By Lawyers publications.

Guy’s extensive legal and commercial experience is reflected in the practical, client-oriented focus that is the hallmark of By Lawyers.

Email: guy.dawson@bylawyers.com

Danni developed her management and communications skills in merchant banking and journalism before co-founding By Lawyers Global Publishing. Apart from being a ground-breaking online publisher she is also a talented legal author. Danni holds a Master of Business Administration as well as her conveyancing licence, and she is a third-year law student. She has also managed a busy legal practice - an experience which drives her desire to make the practice of law more enjoyable. Email: danni.larney@bylawyers.com

A NSW solicitor since 1994, Brad completed a corporate management traineeship before more than 20 years in private and government legal practice, including as a partner, director, and consultant. After 10 years as a contributing author, Brad joined By Lawyers full time in January 2018. Publications he has contributed to include Criminal guides, Practice Management, 101 Succession Answers, and 101 Subpoena Answers. Email: brad.watts@bylawyers.com.au

Kate has extensive experience as a licensed conveyancer and property lawyer. Kate is passionate about delivering industry leading content for law firms. Publications she has contributed to include Conveyancing, Mortgages, Leases, and the reference manual 1001 Conveyancing Answers (NSW).

A NSW solicitor since 2012, Paul’s experience working in small law firms helps him to bring a practical focus to his role at By Lawyers. Paul is focused on the needs of the profession. Publications Paul has contributed to include Conveyancing, Personal Property Securities, Retirement Villages, Immigration, and Security of Payments NSW. Email: paul.maher@bylawyers.com.au

Before joining the By Lawyers team Doug practised as a litigation, commercial and property lawyer in the ACT. Highly client focused and commercial, Doug has contributed to By Lawyers publications including Companies, Trusts, Partnerships and Superannuation, Wills and Estates, and Litigation.

John has completed the LPAB after previous qualifications in surveying and teaching. He has a deep love for the English language and working as an editor at By Lawyers has enabled him to intensify this connection.  Publications he has edited include Family Law, Employment Law, and Conveyancing.

Russell is a renowned lawyer, specialising in all aspects of property law and conveyancing. He authored the Law Institute of Victoria’s Ethics Handbook, writes a monthly Property Law column in the Law Institute Journal and is the principal Victorian author for By Lawyers. He is a co-author with Guy Dawson of the By Lawyers Contract of Sale of Land and the main author of By Lawyers popular 1001 Conveyancing Answers reference manual. Other publications he has contributed to include Conveyancing, Leases, Mortgages, 1001 Conveyancing Answers VIC, 1001 Section 32 Answers and 1001 Section 27 Answers.

Keleigh, an experienced, widely regarded family law specialist, holds a Master of Applied Law (Family Law). She has been Chair of the LIV Junior Family Lawyers Committee and a member of the LIV Family Law Executive and the Maintenance and Property Committees. She volunteers at the Women’s Legal Service and the Inner Melbourne Community Legal Centre. Keleigh is the primary By Lawyers Family Law author.

Roz is CEO and Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives. She also lectures in the law and is actively engaged in succession law review whilst running her own general practice. Publications she’s contributed to include Wills, Estates and Powers of Attorney and Enduring Powers of Guardianships and 101 Succession Answers (VIC)

Nawaar was called to the Victorian Bar in 2012 and practises primarily in commercial law, with particular expertise in insurance, contractual, and superannuation litigation. She has previously worked in a national insurance firm and as a Judges’ Associate in both the County Court and Supreme Court of Victoria. She contributes to various Victorian litigation guides.

With over 20 years experience as a commercial lawyer including as a partner, Paul specialises in franchise systems and dispute resolution. By Lawyers publications he has contributed to include Companies, Trusts, Partnerships and Superannuation, Joint Ventures, and Sale and Purchase of Business.

Peter Breen is a defamation and media lawyer and a former member of the Legislative Council of the New South Wales Parliament. He practises on the north coast of New South Wales and is the author of several books. Publications he has contributed to include Defamation and Protecting Reputation.

Simone was called to the Victorian Bar in 2018, accepting briefs in criminal and administrative law matters. Previously Simone was a federal prosecutor at the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions and a lawyer at the Independent Broad-based Anti-corruption Commission. Publications she has contributed to include Criminal, Intervention Orders, and Traffic Offences VIC.

For over 20 years Lauren O’Brien has worked exclusively in commercial and property law. Lauren always approaches matters with a commercial as well as a legal perspective. Publications she has contributed to include Leases (QLD).

Donna Cooper is an ethics lawyer. Donna was admitted in 2004 and worked in both private practice and in government before moving to the Law Institute of Victoria. She was head of the Ethics Department for 10 years and also the Secretary to the LIV Ethics Committee, Ethics Liaison Group, and Ethics Guidelines Review Sub-Committee. Publications she has contributed to include Wills and Estates VIC.

Brad specialises in employment, industrial relations, and safety law. He brings a unique blend of investigative and legal skills to his workplace investigations, having previously worked as a decorated police officer. Publications he has contributed to includeEmployment Law.

A former police prosecutor, Steve completed a Bachelor of Laws degree at the University of Western Sydney. He currently practises in criminal, administrative and coronial law, and District and Supreme courts litigation. Publications he has contributed to include Criminal NSW.

Marcia Jarvis is director of Jarvis Nixon Legal and has worked with commercial law firms as well as the Public Trustee of WA. She is highly experienced in civil litigation – particularly trusts, estates, and family provision claims. Publications she has contributed to include Estates WA.

Emily Nixon is director of Jarvis Nixon Legal in Western Australia. She has considerable experience in conducting complex trust and estate litigation matters in the Supreme Court. Publications she has contributed to include Estates WA.

Kim specialised in civil litigation and more particularly professional negligence claims for over 35 years. Publications he has contributed to include Personal Injury (NSW), Workers Compensation (NSW) and Local Court Criminal (NSW).

Amir is a lawyer and registered migration agent with extensive experience in complex immigration law matters. He has provided legal assistance and advice in jurisdictions including the Migration Review Tribunal, Refugee Review Tribunal, Administrative Appeals Tribunal, and Federal Court. Publications he has contributed to include Immigration.

Bruce Ryrie is an accredited specialist in family Law and advocacy and was for many years a sole practitioner, partner and consultant in suburban legal practices. He was also a Local Court arbitrator, a Supreme Court costs assessor, and a  family law arbitrator and mediator. Publications he has contributed to include 101 Costs Answers, Retirement Villages, and Family Law.

Sarah has an active practice in corporate and commercial law. She has over 10 years of experience as a lawyer including providing complex, high level legal and corporate governance support to ASX listed companies. Publications she has contributed to include Conveyancing SA, Purchase and Sale of Business, and Practice Management.

Michelle practised for many years in family law, business structuring, franchising, intellectual property, and conveyancing and property. Publications she has contributed to include Conveyancing, Mortgages (QLD), Purchase and Sale of Business and Franchise, Trade Marks.

Jo is a member of the SA Bar and practises in criminal, commercial, administrative, and personal injury law. She enjoys teaching at the University of Adelaide and has a special interest in legal research. Publications she has contributed to include Criminal, Traffic SA, Intervention Orders SA, and Immigration.

Michael has 30 years experience in Australia as an insolvency lawyer, academic, and author. He writes through Murrays Legal Commentary, is the co-author of Keay’s Insolvency, and is a Visiting Fellow at QUT Faculty of Law and a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law. Publications he has contributed to include Insolvency-Bankruptcy of Individuals and Insolvency-Company Liquidation.

Over 40 years experience in areas such as commercial, property, wills, deceased estates, and family provision claims, Phillip is a fervent proponent and teacher of plain language drafting. Publications he has contributed to include Companies, Trusts, Partnerships and Superannuation, Business and Franchise, and the Courts VIC.

Carolyn has over 25 years in legal practice. While her experience in managing disputes extends across jurisdictions, Carolyn is passionate about employment and industrial relations law. Publications she has contributed to include Wills, Estates and Family Provision Claims QLD.

Greg is an accredited specialist in business and personal tax and a regular speaker on taxation, estate planning, superannuation, and business structuring for legal and accounting groups. Publications he has contributed to include Companies, Trusts, Partnerships and Superannuation.

Robyn, now a Crown Prosecutor, was previously a busy barrister practising in a variety of jurisdictions. Publications she has contributed to include Criminal VIC.

Mitchell advises small to large businesses in all aspects of commercial enterprise – negotiating, drafting, and advising on contracts and commercial agreements; corporate and trust structuring; and estate planning including business succession planning and complex wills. Publications he has contributed to include Sale and Purchase of Business WA.

Anthony Abrahams, lawyer and a former Australian Rugby Wallaby, worked with Clifford Chance in their offices in Paris, Sydney, and Riyadh, Saudi Arabia. His primary speciality was in the areas of property and construction. He has contributed to a number of By Lawyers publications including Security of Payments NSW, Trade Marks, and Practice Management.

Naomi worked in top tier environments in the Northern Territory and Western Australia before commencing her own Queensland practice. With years of experience in in-house positions in the oil and gas industry, Naomi also has a wealth of corporate law and commercial knowledge. Publications she has contributed to include Conveyancing WA

Admitted as a lawyer in 1988, Philip was called to the Bar in 1999. He has brought to the Local Court Criminal publication the benefit of his wide experience in criminal law and practice. Publications he has contributed to include Criminal – Local Court NSW.

Cameron is a general practitioner working with clients in conveyancing, business, family law, wills, and estate planning. Publications he has contributed to include Conveyancing and Property NSW.

As a lawyer Michael has practised extensively in the areas of civil litigation, commercial transactions, and disputes. Publications he has contributed to include Conveyancing and Property NSW.

Dean was admitted to practise as a lawyer in 2006 and called to the Bar in 2011 after conducting a successful appellate practice specialising in TAC and WorkCover matters. Publications he has contributed to include Transport Accident Claims VIC.

Norman was admitted to practise in 1996 and gained specialist accreditation in personal injury law in 2006. He has lived and practised both in NSW and in Victoria. Publications he has contributed to include Transport Accident Claims VIC.

Christine is an accredited specialist in succession law and a Council Member of the QLD Law Society. She is also a regular speaker and presenter for the Law Society. She represents clients in all aspects of inheritance law. Publications she has contributed to include Family Provision Claims QLD.

Peta has appeared in all Victorian jurisdictions and is an experienced court advocate. She has worked as Senior Public Defender for Victoria Legal Aid and is currently a team leader with the Victorian Law Reform Commission. She has an interest in human rights. Publications she has contributed to include Magistrates’ Court, Criminal VIC.

James practises mainly in criminal law and personal injury. He is a regular book reviewer for the Bar Association of Queensland Journal and has tutored in law and ethics. Publications he has contributed to include Litigation guides in QLD.

Evan sadly passed away in 2023. He had many years of experience in general practice. He appeared regularly in QLD, NSW, and VIC courts. Publications he contributed to include Litigation guides in QLD.

Deborah is a very experienced accredited family law specialist and independent children’s lawyer. She is also a past President of the Family Law Practitioners Association. Publications she has contributed to include Family Law.

Patricia is a highly experienced barrister practising in the area of Family Law. Publications she has contributed to include Family Law.

Glenys Owen is a lawyer and town planner, with interests in community and social justice. She is a member of the QLS Property Law Committee. Publications she has contributed to include Neighbourhood Disputes QLD.

Bronwyn Fraser was admitted in 1983 and has worked in a number of regional firms. She has a keen interest in wills, powers, health directives, estates, and succession planning. Publications she has contributed to include Wills, Powers of Attorney and Advance Health Directives QLD.

Kelly has a Master of Law degree and a Master of Labour Law and Relations from the University of Sydney and is the Industrial Law and Relations Section editor of the Australian Business Law Review. Publications she has contributed to include Employment Law.

Simon is an accredited specialist in property law and was awarded the LIV President’s Award in 2003. Simon was more recently Executive Director of the National Electronic Conveyancing Office. Publications he has contributed to include Conveyancing VIC.

Chris has in excess of 32 years’ experience in business recovery, reconstruction and insolvency, and has handled many complex and high profile administrations. Publications he has contributed to include Insolvency.

Paul is a lawyer practising in Albury with many years’ experience in NSW and Victorian property law. He is an accredited specialist in both business law and property law. Publications he has contributed to include 1001 Conveyancing Answers NSW.

Sebastian practises in disputed estates, family separation and commercial agreements. He is interested in business systems, technology, and cooking. Publications he has contributed to include Magistrates Court-Civil SA and Conveyancing SA.

Tim was admitted as a legal practitioner in 1982 and practises primarily in property, rural, and elder law. He received the TAS Law Society President’s Award for Service to the Profession in 2010. Publications he has contributed to include Conveyancing TAS.

Malcolm advises legal firms on practice management issues and client-staff relationships. This advice covers practice performance, profitability, and risk management. Publications he has contributed to include Practice Management.

Judge Alan Troy of the District Court of Western Australia was born in England and graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Wales . In 1990 he was called to the Bar predominantly defending criminal cases. In 2002 he relocated to Western Australia working with both the Commonwealth and state DPP.  In 2010 he commenced practice as a barrister at Francis Burt Chambers. He has a strong interest in the history of advocacy, and his article Improving Written Submissions appears in all By Lawyers litigation guides.

Carolyn is a Prosecutor at the Queensland Police Service. She also represented Queensland and Australia in netball. She has contributed to the QLD Litigation publications.

Bob is a barrister and former part-time lecturer in practice and procedure at the University of Technology, Sydney. His area of practice includes property, trusts, wills and estates, negligence, insurance and personal injury, bankruptcy, and equity. He has contributed to the NSW Litigation publications.