Private Clients & Family Businesses

We provide persoanlised and practical legal advise for clients looking at real estate and development investments, business opportunities, wealth protection, estate planning, and if the need arises, litigation and family law advice.

Today’s economic landscape and outlook is more challenging than ever, with an economic slowdown, geopolitical uncertainties, market volatility, intergenerational wealth transfer, cybersecurity threats and a fiercely competitive market placing pressure on individuals, investors, entrepreneurs, families and businesses alike.

Our Team

Portrait photograph of Angela Harvey — **Angela Harvey**
Partner

Portrait photograph of Michael Treeby — **Michael Treeby**
Partner

Portrait photograph of Annette Wilson — **Annette Wilson**
Partner

Portrait photograph of Greg Parker — **Greg Parker**
Partner

Portrait photograph of Mary Digiglio — **Mary Digiglio**
Managing Partner

Portrait photograph of Michael Byrnes — **Michael Byrnes**
Partner

Portrait photograph of Helen Kowal — **Helen Kowal**
Partner

Portrait photograph of Marc Baddams — **Marc Baddams**
Partner

Portrait photograph of Caroline Bass — **Caroline Bass**
Partner

Portrait photograph of Tony D'Agostino — **Tony D'Agostino**
Partner

Portrait photograph of Julie Briscoe — **Julie Briscoe**
Partner

Portrait photograph of Michael Hayter — **Michael Hayter**
Partner

Portrait photograph of Gerald Carides — **Gerald Carides**
Partner

Portrait photograph of Nick Dale — **Nick Dale**
Partner

Portrait photograph of Dr. Matthew Cole — **Dr. Matthew Cole**
Partner

Portrait photograph of Colin Skelton — **Colin Skelton**
Consultant

Portrait photograph of Rosemary Tedesco — **Rosemary Tedesco**
Special Counsel

Portrait photograph of Esther Khoo — **Esther Khoo**
Special Counsel

Portrait photograph of John Trinh — **John Trinh**
Special Counsel

Portrait photograph of Jennifer Hold — **Jennifer Hold**
Special Counsel

Portrait photograph of Lynette Harrison — **Lynette Harrison**
Special Counsel

Portrait photograph of Carly Lennan — **Carly Lennan**
Senior Associate

Portrait photograph of Daniel Miller — **Daniel Miller**
Senior Associate

Portrait photograph of Daniela Terruso — **Daniela Terruso**
Senior Associate

Portrait photograph of Madeleine Lipman — **Madeleine Lipman**
Senior Associate

Portrait photograph of Emma Nichelsen — **Emma Nichelsen**
Special Counsel

Portrait photograph of Kellie Van Munster — **Kellie Van Munster**
Special Counsel

Portrait photograph of Julianne Conceicao — **Julianne Conceicao**
Senior Associate

Portrait photograph of Kathryn Schultz — **Kathryn Schultz**
Senior Associate

Portrait photograph of Rebecca Priem — **Rebecca Priem**
Senior Associate

Portrait photograph of William Clement — **William Clement**
Senior Associate

Portrait photograph of Sarah Heuvel — **Sarah Heuvel**
Partner

Portrait photograph of Hugo Mahony — **Hugo Mahony**
Associate*

Portrait photograph of Peter Bournas — **Peter Bournas**
Special Counsel

Portrait photograph of Hannah Mackay — **Hannah Mackay**
Associate

Portrait photograph of Emma Van Klaveren — **Emma Van Klaveren**
Associate

Portrait photograph of Alexander Leong — **Alexander Leong**
Associate

Portrait photograph of Molly Borland — **Molly Borland**
Associate

The complexity of individual financial positions means that private clients require specialised experience, discretion and a trusted legal experts with deep expertise and experience.

Our team provides advice to investors, high net worth individuals, family offices, and closely-held businesses, on a range of matters including investment structuring and due diligence, real estate and property issues, risk management, family governance, disputes, estate planning, business succession planning, charitable giving and litigation.

We are particularly mindful of the often emotional nature of dealing with a client’s personal affairs and are skilled at navigating all relevant issues with sensitivity to achieve the desired and appropriate outcomes.

Useful links:

No matter how routine or complex the business issues you face, Meritas’ network of law firms is with you every step of the way. Market-leading firms offer a full range of legal services, which enable you to do business anywhere. Wise counsel and practical solutions are just a phone call or e‑mail away. Discover the breadth and depth of the practice and industry sector capabilities available to you through Meritas.

Meritas Practice + Industry Sectors

15 July 2026

10 year long stop on building defect claims reinforced for contribution claims

The recent decision in Fortius Broadway No 1 Pty Ltd V ACN 103 211 141 Pty Ltd (formerly known as Watpac Construction…

6 July 2026

A Higher Evidentiary Burden for Work Orders: The Practical Implications of The Owners – Strata Plan No 102171 v Ceerose Pty Ltd [2025] NSWCATCD 137

The decision in The Owners – Strata Plan No 102171 v Ceerose Pty Ltd; Zone Q Milsons Point Development Pty Ltd v Ceerose…

26 June 2026

Private Clients & Family Businesses

Our Team

Publications

10 year long stop on building defect claims reinforced for contribution claims

A Higher Evidentiary Burden for Work Orders: The Practical Implications of The Owners – Strata Plan No 102171 v Ceerose Pty Ltd [2025] NSWCATCD 137

Important Workplace Relations Changes Effective 1 July 2026

In the News

Roger Cornforth Retires Following 45 Years of Distinguished Legal Practice

Protest group loses appeal to obtain government documents

Michael Byrnes is quoted in the article, “The PM v workplace standards”, published in HR Leader on 8 July 2026

Our Team

10 year long stop on build­ing defect claims rein­forced for con­tri­bu­tion claims

A High­er Evi­den­tiary Bur­den for Work Orders: The Prac­ti­cal Impli­ca­tions of The Own­ers – Stra­ta Plan No 102171 v Ceerose Pty Ltd [2025] NSW­CATCD 137

Impor­tant Work­place Rela­tions Changes Effec­tive 1 July 2026

Roger Corn­forth Retires Fol­low­ing 45 Years of Dis­tin­guished Legal Practice

Protest group los­es appeal to obtain gov­ern­ment documents

Michael Byrnes is quot­ed in the arti­cle, ​“The PM v work­place stan­dards”, pub­lished in HR Leader on 8 July 2026

10 year long stop on building defect claims reinforced for contribution claims

A Higher Evidentiary Burden for Work Orders: The Practical Implications of The Owners – Strata Plan No 102171 v Ceerose Pty Ltd [2025] NSWCATCD 137

Important Workplace Relations Changes Effective 1 July 2026

Roger Cornforth Retires Following 45 Years of Distinguished Legal Practice

Protest group loses appeal to obtain government documents

Michael Byrnes is quoted in the article, “The PM v workplace standards”, published in HR Leader on 8 July 2026