Director

LL.B. (Hons)

Alison was first admitted to legal practice in England before migrating to Adelaide in 1988.

After working in UK and in one of Adelaide’s larger firms, Alison commenced her very own legal practice in 1993 until she merged her practice with, and become a partner of, Adelta Legal in March 2011.  She is known for providing a high level of service to clients in all commercial and estate planning and administration fields of practice.

She has acted for international businesses with interests in Australia and advised in connection with the administration of deceased estates in England.

Alison has been recognised in Doyle’s Guide for several years as one of Adelaide’s leading lawyers in the field of estate planning.

Over the last 35 years Alison has particularly specialised in:

• estate planning and wills
• deceased estate administration
• advice to small business
• commercial transactions
• property and conveyancing matters,

and is able to assist a range of clients in giving practical, friendly and cost effective advice.

Outside the law Alison is the Chair of a Board of a not-for-profit registered training organisation and until recently has been on the Board of a private retirement village.  She was one of the founding members of the Succession Law Committee of the Law Society of South Australia.

She is keen to educate and inform the public on legal issues and is involved in providing many community talks and information sessions for councils and community groups on an annual basis in all areas of wills and estate planning.

Alison is known for her efficient, practical and clear advice, ability to communicate with people of all levels and is conscious of providing advice at a reasonable cost to clients.

Contact Alison Evenden

Director

LL.B., B.Ec.

Mark was admitted to practice in 1996 after obtaining Bachelor degrees in both Law and Economics from the University of Adelaide.

Mark worked in two of Adelaide’s leading law firms before starting his own firm, Jappe & Associates, specialising solely in wills and estates.

In 2013 Jappe & Associates merged with Adelta Legal, where Mark continues to offer specialist assistance with all aspects of wills and estates and in particular estate litigation.

Mark is well known for his work as a litigator, specialising primarily in contested estate matters in the Supreme Court.  Mark is commonly appointed by the Court to act as litigation guardian for parties who, due to either being minors or suffering from a disability, are unable to act on their own behalf.  He has also been appointed by the Court to administer deceased estates while potential beneficiaries engage in litigation.

He is particularly known both for his tenacity in litigation and for his practical and creative approach to resolving disputes.

Mark enjoys assisting clients with their estate planning and is experienced in obtaining grants of letters of administration and probate and assisting clients to finalise the estates of loved ones.

Mark can assist you with all wills and estate matters including:

• estate litigation
• wills and estate planning
• probate and estate administration
• powers of attorney and advance care directives.

He is a member of the Law Society of South Australia and has served on its Succession Law Committee since 2007.

Mark has been recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a preeminent estate litigation lawyer and as a leading estate planning lawyer.

Mark is also a nationally accredited mediator.  He primarily mediates matters involving contested estates or trusts, but is also available to mediate other types of disputes.

Outside of the law, Mark serves on the Board of the Mendelson Foundation, a charitable trust which awards scholarships to students who are resident in the West Torrens Council area.

When he is not busy assisting clients, Mark is a keen bridge player, having represented both his State and his country.

Contact Mark Jappe

Accredited Family Law Specialist

LL.B.

Julie has over 40 years’ experience practising in all aspects of family law in South Australia.  She has been ranked every year by the profession, though the Doyle’s guide, as one of the top family lawyers in South Australia

In 2018 she merged her very successful family law practice Alderman Redman with Adelta Legal to establish the Adelta family law unit.

Julie is an Accredited Family Law Specialist, a Nationally Accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP), an Independent Children’s Lawyer and a Nationally Accredited Mediator in Mediation Practice since 1990.

She is also a Nationally Accredited Arbitrator in family property matters and practises in Collaborative Family Law on request.

Julie accepts instructions in:

• complex property matters involving large property pools, family businesses
• spousal maintenance, child support and adult child maintenance
• sensitive and complex children’s and parenting matters including relocation

interstate and overseas

• Hague Convention matters
• surrogacy and adoption.

Julie keeps steady focus on the best interests of children and her advocacy is designed to retain co-operation, preserve goodwill and promote resolution as the preferable pathway to progress.

Experience governs Julie’s approach to the law.  Julie works with clients to explore all options and to respond appropriately and speedily to a client’s needs.  If litigation is necessary it will only be embarked upon after careful consideration of all other options, recognising it is hardly ever in the client’s interests to progress to lengthy, protracted litigation.  If litigation is recommended it will be prepared with diligence and resolve.

Julie is the SA Representative and Director of AIFLAM (The Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators).  She has been on many government and non-government children’s interest boards, including the SA Government Children’s Interest Bureau, The Council of Reproductive Technology, Uniting Communities and the Children and the Family Law Committee of the Law Society.

Julie has presented numerous papers at conferences and universities both nationally and internationally on family law issues and has a particular area of legal interest in surrogacy arrangements and other alternate family formations.

Julie has been married “for a long time”, is a keen bushwalker, reads widely and enjoys the theatre and visual arts.  She is an accredited volunteer guide at the Art Gallery of South Australia.

Contact Julie Redman

Accredited Family Law Specialist

BA. LL.B. GDLP

Ian was admitted to practice in 1987 and brings a wealth of experience to Adelta Legal. He joined Adelta Legal in October 2018 after several different practices in the Adelaide city and at Gawler. Ian spent 18 years practising in his own practice before merging with Adelta Legal to expand the Family Law Section. He is one of a few Accredited Specialists in Family Law practising in South Australia. He is also a qualified Independent Children’s Lawyer and regularly appointed to represent the best interests of children in complex family law matters.

Ian is a skilled and persuasive advocate appearing regularly in the Federal Circuit and Family Courts.

In the past, Ian has been a member of the Law Society’s Family Law Committee. He has also written  and presented papers for the further legal education of other lawyers in the area of Family Law. He has been a member of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia and been a member of a discussion panel to the National Conference of Independent Children’s Lawyers.

Ian’s approach to the practice of family law is to provide appropriate advice to his clients as soon as possible to try to ensure the best result as quickly and cost-effectively as possible.

Ian practices in matters involving disputes between parents and care givers over children, property settlements and spousal maintenance.

Ian’s experience and expertise enables him to quickly get to the core of most disputes and to avoid being bogged down in a paper war. He tries at all times to keep the focus upon the client’s bottom line and to maintain a sensible, common sense approach to the practice of the law.

Contact Ian Charman

Consultant

LL.B.

Tom was admitted to practice in 1975. Tom joined the firm when Lempriere Abbott McLeod merged with Adelta Legal in 2021.

He practices primarily in the areas of family and de facto law, with a particular focus on the resolution of property and financial disputes.

He has considerable experience in the preparation of pre-nuptial and other relationship agreements.  Tom also attends to the preparation of wills and powers of attorney and acts in contested estate and guardianship matters.

Tom recognises the benefit of a strong customer/client focus and as a recognised leader in his field receives numerous referrals from within the profession.

Tom has a wide range of experience in:

• family law
• divorce
• de facto matters
• property
• maintenance
• children
• child support
• pre-nuptial and financial agreements
• Hague Convention
• wills
• deceased estates.

Tom is a member of the Law Society of South Australia and Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia.

Contact Tom Hawkes

Consultant

LL.B

Bob has been in practice since 1978 and joined us when Lempriere Abbott McLeod merged with Adelta Legal in 2021.

Bob has a comprehensive background in all aspects of the law and specialises in civil and commercial litigation.  His litigation expertise is extensive, appearing on behalf of individuals, insurers, companies and corporations.

As an advisor to both claimants and defendants Bob provides sound counsel with a view to resolving disputes expeditiously and economically and protecting professional reputations.

Bob has been involved in both small and large scale litigation from the Magistrates Court to the High Court and has played an active role in cases in most South Australian jurisdictions.

Bob is the honorary solicitor to the South Australian Branch of the Royal Life Saving Society of Australia.

He has a wide range of experience in:

• commercial litigation
• civil litigation
• dispute resolution.

Bob is a member of the Law Society of South Australia and is President of the Rostrevor Old Collegians Football Club.

Contact Bob Holland

Consultant

LL.B.

Melissa completed her law degree at Adelaide University while working initially at what was then Consumer Affairs, then as a law clerk at Ward & Partners – working across all areas of legal practice.

Since completion of her Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice in 1992, Melissa has practised almost exclusively in the area of wills and estates at a number of top-tier firms for 22 years before joining Adelta Legal as a Consultant in 2014.

Melissa practises in all areas including:

• wills
• enduring powers of attorney
• guardianship matters
• trusts,

and has a special interest in estate litigation.

Melissa regularly appears in the Supreme Court in relation to disputes about wills and estates and in the SACAT with respect to guardianship and administration matters, where her clients appreciate her blend of passionate advocacy combined with extensive legal knowledge.

Melissa is co-chair of the Law Society’s Succession and Elder Law Committee, and co-editor of that Committee’s quarterly publication “The Last Testament”.

Contact Melissa Yule

Consultant

MTax, LL.B. (Hons), BArchSt

Christina was admitted to practise in 1997 and she holds a Masters degree in Taxation.

Before joining Adelta, she worked for the Australian Taxation Office for over 20 years.

Christina is a tax specialist with a wealth of experience in providing tax advice, including employee share schemes, capital management issues (return of share capital, demerger, share buy-back), debt/equity and integrity measures on capital benefits.

She has worked with large ASX listed corporate groups and private family enterprises.

She is strategic in her approach when resolving tax disputes involving small businesses.  She has strong analytical skills when dealing with complex issues and is sensitive in managing relationships.

Christina has experience in and can assist clients with:

• Providing private advice on corporate transactions
• Employee share schemes
• Resolving complex tax disputes involving multiple parties
• Conducting tax litigation at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal
• Complex applications for private rulings
• Providing capital gains tax and income tax advice

In addition, she also be deals with deceased estate administration, estate planning and various commercial and property transactions.

Christina focuses on providing practical solutions to complex problems

In her free time, Christina likes to play the violin and attend musicals.

Contact Christina Fung

Senior Associate

LL.B., BA (Jur), BA (Hons)

Catherine has more than 20 years of experience practising in family law and professional negligence matters.

Catherine was admitted in 1995 having gained a Bachelor of Arts (Jurisprudence) with Honours in Politics and a Law Degree with Honours at the Adelaide University.

Catherine joined the firm when Lempriere Abbott McLeod merged with Adelta Legal in 2021, she has also worked in Port Augusta and Whyalla.

Along with expertise in all areas of family law, Catherine’s skills include major litigation matters regarding professional negligence and personal injury claims.

Catherine is committed to providing support and a high standard of professional service to clients in the following areas:

• family law
• divorce
• de facto matters
• financial agreements
• spousal maintenance
• professional negligence
• personal injury
• wills.

Catherine is a member of the Law Society of South Australia and Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia.

Contact Catherine Hokin

Senior Associate

LL.B. (Hons)

Kerry has more than 15 years of experience practising as a lawyer in England and Australia.

Kerry joined the Adelta Legal team in January 2022 and brings with her extensive experience in estate planning, estate administration and property matters.

Kerry prides herself on providing a proactive and collaborative approach to other professional advisors and clients.

Kerry is able to assist clients with a full range of estate planning needs, including:

• Drafting Wills
• Powers of Attorney
• Advance Care Directives
• Advice and establishing Testamentary Trusts
• Estate planning advice including the consideration of non-estate assets such as family trusts and superannuation
• Administration of Deceased Estates

Kerry has particular expertise working with blended families to ensure their complex estate planning needs are satisfied.

Kerry is a member of the Law Society of South Australia.

Contact Kerry Miller

Senior Associate

LL.B, GDLP

Chantel’s passion for law commenced at the early age of 7 on the premise of wanting to assist people in times of need.

After obtaining her Bachelor of Laws from the University of South Australia and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the University of Adelaide, Chantel worked in both commercial and succession law before developing her interest in the areas of wills and estates.

Now an integral part of our advice team, Chantel has obtained a wealth of knowledge and experience in the last few years in drafting complex wills and handling deceased estates.

For those who have recently lost a loved one, Chantel is a natural empath who prides herself on being able to provide her clients with a service that is holistic in its approach and based in sincerity and compassion.

Specialising primarily in drafting wills and estate administration matters, Chantel can assist our clients with:

• estate administration – including obtaining simple and complex grants of probate and letters of administration
• estate planning – including the drafting of both simple and complex wills, the review of company and trust documents and providing tailored advice
• preparation of powers of attorney and advance care directives.

With exceptional interpersonal skills, Chantel truly understands her clients’ problems and is able to put their minds at ease.

If you are looking for someone who exceeds at creating a comfortable environment, is approachable and easy to talk to, look no further than our very own Chantel to assist you.

Behind the scenes Chantel has a passion for live music, being an avid musician and composer herself, and enjoys a weekend away in South Australia’s wine regions.

Memberships:

• Hellenic Australian Lawyers Association

Contact Chantel Cortazzo

Senior Associate

LL.B.

Bridget is a highly valued member of the firm’s Estate Litigation Team.  In her time at Adelta Legal Bridget has obtained a wealth of experience in complicated wills and estates matters, including successfully obtaining grants of probate in matters involving missing wills, and improperly or incompletely executed wills.

Bridget is beloved by her clients, feared by her opponents and always calm under pressure.

Bridget has had great success acting for clients both bringing and defending claims pursuant to the Inheritance (Family Provision) Act.  Bridget regularly appears in the Supreme Court and Magistrates Court and has been involved in numerous successful mediations.

Bridget has also assisted many of our clients by appearing before SACAT, helping them to put arrangements in place for the care and protection of loved ones who can no longer care for themselves.

Bridget also assists our clients with:

• estate planning, including the drafting of both simple and complex wills including testamentary trusts and clauses dealing with the protection of disabled beneficiaries
• preparation of powers of attorney and advanced care directives
• estate administration, including complex grants of probate or letters of administration.

 

Contact Bridget Shinnick

Associate

LL.B., BA., GDLP

Known affectionately as “Jacqui” to clients and colleagues, Jacqui works the field of estate planning, wills and deceased estate administration.

From a grazier and cropping upbringing, Jacqui is resourceful and adaptable to changing circumstances. She continues to instil the farmer’s work ethic in her practice, striving to share her authentic insights into the wills and estates process while maintaining a practical focus on factors such as time and cost.  Jacqui offers clients a comprehensive but simplified understanding of their options with a warm and friendly approach.

From a multicultural background herself and spending her student years learning with and mentoring international students, Jacqui offers a great deal of patience and understanding when it comes to clients from different backgrounds, ages and varied levels of English fluency.

It is at the heart of her practice that her relationship with clients is built on confidentiality and empathy.

Jacqui can offer her services in the following matters:

Estate Planning:

• simple and complex wills
• powers of attorney
• advance care directives

Estate Administration:

• simple and complex probate and letters of administration applications
• deeds of family arrangement, statutory declarations and contracts for mutual wills
• general advice to executors and administrators

While Jacqui is no longer climbing grain silos and running around shearing sheds, outside of work you will either find her back home in the Murraylands painting landscapes and spending quality time with her family, or in the city indulging on flaky, golden domes of fabulous pastries.

Memberships:

• Asian Australian Lawyers Association

Contact Jacqueline Johns

Solicitor

LL.B., BCom (CorpFin), GDLP

Drawing from her personal experiences and background, Vinnie brings a unique level of empathy and understanding that helps her connect with clients on a deeper level. She embarked on her legal career at Adelta, rising from the position of a clerk to become a dedicated and empathetic solicitor.

Fluent in English, Mandarin, Cantonese and Malay, her multilingual abilities are invaluable in bridging language barriers, enhancing understanding and fostering smoother client relationships.

Vinnie adopts a proactive, client-centric approach, treating every client’s situation with individual care and attention. She provides clients with a thorough yet simplified understanding of their options in a warm and friendly manner, ensuring they feel comfortable and well-informed.

Vinnie can assist clients with a comprehensive range of estate planning needs:

• Drafting simple and complex wills
• Preparing Powers of Attorney and Advance Care Directives
• Advising on Deeds of Family arrangement, Statutory Declarations and Contracts for Mutual Wills
• Assisting with Probate and Letters of Administration applications.

Outside her legal career, Vinnie is a keen hiker, frequently discovering new trails and landscapes to explore.

Memberships:

• Asian Australian Lawyers Association.

Contact Vinnie Yang

Registered Conveyancer

CPC Registered Conveyancer Lic/Reg RCO 276695

Tracy has over 20 years’ experience in conveyancing, having worked in legal and private conveyancing offices during that time.  Following completion of the Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing in 2016 her dream of becoming a Registered Conveyancer was realised.

Property has always been her passion and providing a quality service to clients was an integral part of that vision.

Tracy is a member of the Australian Institute of Conveyancers (SA Division) Inc and has maintained the status of Certified Practising Conveyancer (CPC) by focussing on her continual professional development.

Tracy joined the Adelta Legal team in April 2019 and is enjoying the diversity that is offered from a wide range of clients. She focusses on professionalism, attention to detail and providing a first class quality service.

Areas of expertise include:

• residential and commercial transactions
• land divisions
• deceased estate and matrimonial settlements
• preparing private Contracts and Form 1 Statements
• mortgages.

There have been significant changes in the conveyancing industry in recent years with emphasis being on transition towards electronic conveyancing.  Tracy has embraced these changes with enthusiasm and commitment and is well placed to undertake your electronic lodgements and settlements with minimal fuss.  As from 3 August 2020, electronic conveyancing has been mandatory in South Australia and you can be guaranteed that your conveyancing transactions will be expertly managed.

Your conveyancing requirements will be dealt with in a professional and efficient manner to ensure your experience is as uncomplicated and stress free as possible.

Contact Tracy Bowe