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Our team

Martin Alfonso - Director

Preferred areas of practice:

Commercial law and litigation, Business Structures, Contract disputes, Trade Practices law, Estate Planning.

Year admitted:

1980

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Laws (Sydney)

Experience:

Martin has experience and an extensive understanding of many areas of law including Commercial Law and Litigation, Family and Property Law as well as Wills, Probate and Estate Planning. In addition to operating his own successful legal practice for many years, he is a Director on the Board of a number of companies. This allows him to have an appreciation, from the client's point of view, of the legal and commercial requirements of operating a successful company, both large and small. Martin is also the President of the new Mona Vale Chamber of Commerce.

Highlight:

Assisting in negotiations for the purchase of a major pet food company. The negotiations took place in Tokyo over two days with the result being an overwhelming success for my client.

Outside the law:

Golf, soccer, skiing and travelling, cooking and my family of three children.

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David Sinclair - Director

Preferred areas of practice:

Property Law including property development, Commercial Leasing, Commercial Law, Probate and Estate Planning, Local Court work, District and Supreme Court, Consumer Law, Employment Law.

Year admitted:

1982

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Arts & Bachelor of Laws (Macquarie University)

Experience:

For 19 years, David ran the successful legal practice of Alexander Dyce and Dodd at Auburn, during which time he established a client base throughout Sydney and developed the broad range legal and practical business skills that sole practice demands. After traveling across Sydney each day for so many years, David joined E&A as a partner in 2003. Although now located 40 kilometres from his old place of practice, many of David's clients have followed - a clear indication of the level of confidence and satisfaction enjoyed by his clients.

Highlight:

Becoming a self employed sole practitioner by the age of 25; acting for a number of property developers during all phases of development; returning to work in the locality where I have lived for the whole of my life.

Outside the law:

Keen participant in a number of sports, including soccer, golf, tennis and motor racing; long time member of Mona Vale Surf Life Saving Club; father of three children from pre-school to high school.

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Matthew Jones - Lawyer

Preferred areas of practice:

Property Law, Wills and Estate Planning, Civil Litigation, Debt Recovery, Intellectual Property, Internet/Information Technology and Communications Law.

Year admitted:

1991

Qualifications:

BA (UNSW), LLB (UNSW), LLM - Internet/Information Technology / Communications Law (UNSW), Grad Dip Leg Prac (UTS), Instrument Rated Commercial Pilot (FAA)

Experience:

Matthew has experience in and an understanding of a diverse range of property related transactions including but not limited to: commercial, retirement village and residential conveyancing; commercial, retail and retirement village leasing; Wills and Estate Planning; Civil Litigation; Debt Recovery and related issues; Trade Marks, Copyright and associated intellectual property areas. Matthew has a thorough and broad knowledge of Information Technology Law gained both through his Masters degree and experience working for information technology companies in the United States.

Highlight:

Meeting the love of my life, the births of my three daughters, flying my own plane across the United States and surfing the world's waves.

Outside the law:

Family, surfing, kite-surfing, snow boarding, flying, Indonesia and travelling.

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Natasha Scarf - Lawyer

Preferred areas of practice:

Family Law, De Facto Relationships, Disputed Wills and Estates, General Litigation .

Year admitted:

2003

Qualifications:

Bachelor of Laws (UNE) Graduate Diploma of Law (UTS)

Experience:

Natasha has wide experience in the areas of Family Law and De Facto Relationships. She has handled complex property settlements and parenting matters concerning disputed residence, contact arrangements, relocation & recovery orders and contravention applications. She has dealt extensively with preparing Financial Agreements for married, de facto and same sex couples. Natasha has appeared as an advocate in the Local, District, Supreme and Family Courts as well as the Federal Magistrates Court.  In addition to the range of Family Law matters, she has experience in Criminal Law matters and General Litigation, Wills, Powers of Attorney and Enduring Guardianship and has also worked as In House Counsel for a large company managing an extensive range of corporate, commercial and property related matters. Natasha enjoys dealing with all clients and actively pursues the client’s best interests through negotiation, conciliation (both formal and informal) and, where required, final hearing.

Highlight:

Various overseas travels, particularly the Greek Islands and the Calgary Stampede in Canada.

Outside the law:

Family, entertaining and travelling.

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Support staff

Leanne Alfonso - Practice Manager

Joined E&A:

1988

Qualifications:

BA Dip Ed (Macquarie).

Experience:

Leanne has a background in personnel and training. As E&A has expanded over the years, Leanne has been involved with the development of systems and procedures to help ensure that we can provide the quality of service that is important to the firm. As our Practice Manager, Leanne now manages a wide range of administrative issues at E&A from IT and data management to procedural policies and systems review.

Highlight:

Seeing clearly for the first time after successful laser eye surgery.

Outside the law:

Pilates, travelling, skiing and most importantly, spending time with her family and friends.

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Lynne Harvey - Conveyancing Para-Legal

Joined E&A:

2000

Experience:

Lynne has extensive legal experience particularly in the area of property law. Since she joined E&A in 2000, Lynne has coordinated the successful settlement of numerous sales and purchases of properties for our clients. Lynne's calm, efficient manner enables her to bring to completion even the most difficult transaction with the minimum of fuss, a fact greatly appreciated by our clients.

Highlight:

Marrying my husband and the birth of my son and daughter; experiencing the cultures and customs of other countries.

Outside the law:

Involvement in my children's sports of netball and soccer, tennis, reading, cooking and family holidays.

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Diane Bleyer - Commercial Leasing Para-Legal

Joined E&A:

1993

Experience:

Diane has been part of the team at E&A for over ten years. After initially working as a part-time word processor for the firm, Diane rose to the challenge of taking on the role of supporting our expanding commercial leasing section. Diane has an extensive knowledge of the procedural aspects of commercial leasing. She provides support to our commercial lawyers in this area and will frequently be our main point of contact in finalising a lease transaction.

Highlight:

Lots of great times with my husband and three sons.

Outside the law:

Tennis, water-skiing, watching my sons play rugby league.

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Josie Kimpton - Family Law & Litigation Para-Legal

Joined E&A:

2000

Experience:

Josie has had a long association with E&A, originally working with us in 1993 and 1994 before traveling to the United Kingdom for an overseas posting with her family. In 2000 Josie rejoined the firm. Josie has extensive word processing skills and PA experience in the areas of Family Law and Litigation. She has a strong knowledge of the requirements for court documentation and it is in this area that she excels in providing valuable support to our lawyers.

Highlight:

A camping trip through African game parks.

Outside the law:

Family, Dog Agility Trialling, being involved with my children's soccer.

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Rebecca Smith - Conveyancing Para-Legal

Joined E&A:

2002

Experience:

Rebecca initially joined E&A as our receptionist and her pleasant confident manner was well appreciated by clients and other professionals alike. Rebecca is now a part of our property law team. As one of our Conveyancing Para-Legals she is frequently the point of contact in the early stages of a property transaction as well as acting as Personal Assistant to the Property Lawyers.

Highlight:

Becoming an aunty and visiting family and friends overseas.

Outside the law:

Cross Stitch, Music, singing, playing drums and trumpet, puzzles.

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Joanne Avo - Accounts Assistant

Joined E&A:

2006

Experience:

Jo’s extensive experience in accounts and office administration & management is proving to be of great benefit to E&A.   Her varied experience ensures the smooth running of our Accounts Department, utilising the Open Practice accounting system which is specifically designed for legal practices.  Her last placement prior to joining the firm was as the Operations/ Accounts Manager for an outdoor clothing company.

Highlight:

Living overseas and travelling Europe and the birth of my daughter.

Outside the law:

Karate, leadlight, gardening, kids and enjoying the company of family and friends.

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Caitlin Alfonso - Office Assistant/Receptionist

Joined E&A:

January 2007

Qualifications:

BA Dip Ed (Macquarie).

 

Experience:

Caitlin has completed a Bachelor of Arts and Diploma of Education at Macquarie University. She has worked at E&A on a part-time basis and during uni holidays in the areas of reception and data entry. She also provides assistance to all staff as required.

Highlight:

Travelling to Europe and spending Christmas in Germany.

Outside the law:

Soccer, reading, travelling, skiing and family and friends.

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