Solicitor Director Commercial & Corporate
Tim Osborn holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Business from the University of Newcastle and has been qualified as a solicitor since 2004.
Tim was previously employed as Associate in charge of the business and corporate team at a large Newcastle law firm where he concentrated on commercial transaction work and commercial litigation before founding Osborn Law in January 2011.
Tim regularly advises clients and their financial and accounting advisors on:
He further assists clients in making certain they have adequate tools in place to ensure their dealings with customers and suppliers do not expose them to undue business risk. This includes advising on and preparing credit application forms, general terms of trade, director’s guarantees and providing advice on general commercial debt recovery methods.
Tim prides himself on providing accurate, relevant, timely, and above all, practical advice to his clients.
Tim is an Honorary Commander in the Hunter Defence Support Network (HDSN) which was formed in 2015 as a single-purpose community support and advocacy group focused on improving the lifestyle of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families whilst posted to the Hunter Region.
He is a member of the Camp Quality Newcastle MotoCyc committee responsible for organising the annual fundraiser motorbike ride through country NSW combining his passion for motorbike riding and supporting great local charities.
Tim is also a former Director on the Board of NUSport (2008-2018), an incorporated body of the University of Newcastle which is responsible for the development of sport and fitness through services, facilities and activities, along with being a member of their Finance and Infrastructure Committees.
When not in the office, Tim loves spending time with his family, being outside and being active. Tim is a keen dirt bike rider and four wheel driver, and enjoys the bush and camping.
Solicitor DirectorEmployment & Litigation
Christie Howson brings a wealth of experience to Osborn Law in the constantly changing and ever challenging area of employment law. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce (Financial Accounting) and has been qualified as a solicitor since 2000.
Christie has practiced extensively in this area for over 25 years and some of the work that she has performed involved the following:
Drafting industrial documentation including common law employment contracts, subcontractor agreements and enterprise agreements for a large mining contractor
Advising on compliance with workplace laws and in particular, the Fair Work Act 2009 and Modern Award compliance for many industries including manufacturing, black coal, retail, administrative and hospitality
Enterprise Agreement negotiations, strategy advice and complying with Fair Work requirements for ratifying
Advising on terminating problem employees in order to reduce exposure to an unfair dismissal or general protections claim, including but not limited to performance and conduct issues, redundancy, medical retirement
Appearing at Fair Work Australia on behalf of clients to defend unfair dismissal and general protections claims
Assisting an engineering client who bought a business to understand the legal obligations of transferring employees
Advising a construction client on restraint of trade issues when a senior manager resigned and attempted to solicit clients
Appearing in a case for our client which involved in a claim for damages of $750,000.00 in the Federal Court in Queensland for an adverse action claim for breach of the general protections provision of the Fair Work legislation
Advising client in the medical field on the use of subcontractor agreements and License agreements
Assisting client in the amusement industry to respond to an audit by the Fair Work Ombudsman
Conducting an investigation into allegations of sexual harassment
Provide advice on compliance with Work Health and safety Act 2011
Christie regularly conducts in house training sessions for Osborn law’s client employers to assist our clients and their managers on how to deal with effective performance management, and bullying and harassment claims. She has also conducted workplace investigations into claims.
Christie also worked for 4 years in a national law firm in insurance law where she acted on behalf of workers compensation insurers. This background assists greatly in employment law work when complex workers compensation issues are involved.
In addition to the employment law work, Christie manages major commercial litigation disputes, particularly those in the Supreme Court of NSW but also in the District and Local Courts.
Christie is a former Director of the Hunter Defence Support Network (HDSN) which was formed in 2015 as a single-purpose community support and advocacy group focused on improving the lifestyle of Australian Defence Force (ADF) members and their families whilst posted to the Hunter Region.
Partner Commercial & Property
Laura Bennett has more than 14 years of experience in the legal profession. Following her completion of a Bachelor of Laws at Newcastle University she took up a full time paralegal position before being admitted as a solicitor in 2008.
She has particular expertise in commercial contract negotiations and drafting. She has an exceptional set of drafting skills and a “can do” approach to client service.
Laura’s experience in commercial and property law includes:
Senior Associate Commercial & Estate Planning
Lana Black is a Senior Associate at Osborn Law.
With a Masters in Wills and Estates and over a decade’s experience specialising in this area, Lana heads up our Wills and Estates team.
Lana’s practice is primarily focused on estate planning and commercial structuring arrangements, along with deceased estates.
Lana is passionate about providing practical advice to clients and looks to ensure her clients’ affairs are appropriately structured both in their lifetimes and after their death.
Lana believes effective estate planning is as much about preserving relationships among family members, as it is about transitioning wealth. Lana enjoys getting to know her clients on a personal level – understanding their family, their asset structure, business needs and their priorities. There is no “one–size–fits–all” approach to this area and the strategies we use very much depend on the priorities of clients and the risks they are comfortable/uncomfortable with.
Lana also has extensive experience in the administration of deceased estates, including advising both executors and beneficiaries in a wide variety of estate matters such as family provision claims; questions of capacity; questions of informal wills; taxation; duties and responsibilities of executors/administrators; and general administration of estates.
Stemming from her background in wills and estates, Lana is responsible for dealing with the establishment, amendment and vesting of trusts for Osborn Law clients. Lana is also experienced in advising clients in relation to associated asset protection and structuring and works closely with Osborn Law’s commercial team when looking at clients’ commercial structuring arrangements and business succession planning.
Lana is a Committee Member for the Bean Counters Ball, an annual fundraiser held to support underprivileged youth and their education pathways. Lana is also regularly involved in other charity initiatives including managing Osborn Law’s involvement with Westpac Rescue Helicopter’s Wills Week and coordinating our Red Nose Day fundraising.
Lana is a member of Newcastle Law Society, Hunter Young Professionals and Hunter Business Women’s Network.
Senior Licensed Conveyancer Property
Yvonne has a proven track record of almost 30 years’ experience in the legal industry in both an administration and professional capacity.
Working her way up from receptionist as a 16 year old she has progressed to legal secretary, paralegal and then recently completed the Conveyancing Law and Practice course through Macquarie University to become a qualified Licensed Conveyancer.
She has worked in both large and small legal practices in Newcastle working with staff at all levels, which has equipped her with the skills and values required to carry out her role. She has a high level of attention to detail and accuracy and prides herself on her commitment, self-discipline, confidentiality, teamwork, multi-tasking, planning and prioritising.
Yvonne’s experience in property law includes both residential and commercial transactions such as:
Yvonne is a member of the NSW Australian Institute of Conveyancers and strives to identify and satisfy client needs with quality service, confidence and commitment in all aspects of her work.
Senior AssociateCommercial & Corporate
Zoe graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) in 2019. Since being admitted as a solicitor, Zoe has gained a range of experience in corporate and commercial law acting for not-for-profit organisations and private, public and ASX listed companies.
Zoe has a keen interest in corporate and commercial law and has experience advising clients on:
Zoe further leads our Company Secretary service, overseeing and meticulously managing all aspects to guarantee that the company adheres to its regulatory and statutory obligations. Her responsibilities encompass a wide range of duties aimed at maintaining legal compliance and upholding the integrity of the organisation.
Zoe always endeavours to assist clients in achieving a commercial outcome. She prides herself on her professional yet personable nature and values developing long-lasting relationships with her clients.
Zoe serves as a Non-Executive Director on the Board of HYP (Hunter Young Professionals), a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting young professionals in the Newcastle area and its surrounding regions.
On her days off, Zoe enjoys keeping fit, spending time outdoors and hanging out with family and friends – nothing will keep her inside on a nice day!
SolicitorWills & Estate Planning
Ashleigh holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Business (Marketing) from Western Sydney University. She has been qualified as a solicitor since 2010 and was admitted to the High Court of Australia in 2012.
Following her admission as a Solicitor, Ashleigh gained experience with an international property management firm specialising in lease management. She then worked with a large law firm in their litigation team and with a ‘Big 4’ bank in their contract management team before joining a boutique Sydney- based firm specialising in litigation and debt recovery matters.
After taking some time out from the legal practice to work with an organisation that develops educational programs and events for lawyers, Ashleigh returned to legal practice as a sole practitioner, providing commercial and contract advice to small to medium size businesses and private clients.
Ashleigh joined the Osborn Law Team in 2024.
Ashleigh’s expertise includes:
In her spare time, Ashleigh enjoys spending time outdoors, watching Korean Dramas and spending time with friends and family.
Solicitor
Employment & Litigation
Sam completed his Diploma of Legal Practice at the University of Newcastle and was admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 2023. With a major in News and Digital Media, Sam is experienced in interviewing and empathising when a client brings a problem.
Sam is part of the employment and litigation team and is often tasked with undertaking a range of problems which don’t fit under a specific category of law. This has grown him as a versatile thinker, taking on tough questions which are rarely asked, but which can be all important to the client.
Sam is a Non-Executive Director on the Board of HYP (Hunter Young Professionals), a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to supporting young professionals in the Newcastle area and its surrounding regions.
In his spare time, Sam is a keen surfer and enjoys exploring new surf spots. He also regularly volunteers at his local church, playing guitar and helping the youth group.
SolicitorCommercial & Corporate
Kassie graduated from the University of Melbourne with a Juris Doctor in 2019, following the completion of a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in International Politics and Criminology, in 2016.
After relocating to Newcastle in early 2023, Kassie has continued to expand her legal career, gaining valuable experience across both the private and public sectors. Since her admission as a solicitor, she has built a strong foundation in property and commercial law. Her public sector experience includes working with government departments, the Solicitor’s Office, the Office of Public Prosecutions, and higher education institutions.
Kassie’s expertise spans a wide range of legal matters, including drafting, negotiating, reviewing, and advising on:
Outside of work, Kassie enjoys high-intensity gym classes, reformer pilates, listening to podcasts, and exploring new restaurants with her partner. Originally from rural Darwin, she enjoys visiting home when possible.
Kassie is a member of the Australian and New Zealand Sports Law Association, Hunter Young Professionals, and the Law Society of New South Wales.
Licensed Conveyancer Property
Callie is a Licensed Conveyancer with over 10 years’ experience in the legal industry. She commenced her career straight out of school as a legal assistant concentrating on conveyancing matters before completing the Conveyancing Law and Practice course at Macquarie University in 2023.
Callie Joined the Osborn Law property team in 2020 and since this time has gained experience in a wide range of conveyancing matters and is a valued member of the Osborn Law Team.
Callie’s experience in property includes:
When out of office Callie enjoys playing league tag, spending time with friends and family & catching up on a good TV show.
SolicitorCommercial & Corporate
Hayley graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Newcastle in December 2024. She has begun her legal career at Osborn Law, and is excited to continue her journey with the firm as a solicitor.
Specialising in the Commercial and Corporate practice at Osborn Law, Hayley assists with matters such as commercial leasing, business sales, and share sales.
Outside of work, Hayley values maintaining a balanced and healthy lifestyle. She enjoys staying active and cherishing time with her friends, family, and beloved pets.
Accounts Manager
Kylie has more than 20 years’ experience in business bookkeeping and accounting roles. She has been part of the OL family for 9 years during which time she has been responsible for all accounting and IT functions across the firm.
She enjoys working with the team and supporting where necessary. As an avid lover of spreadsheets (she will tell you!) and our practice management system, LawMaster, guru she is extremely handy to us all and we would be lost without her!
Kylie likes spending her time with family and friends when not in the office – whether this be travelling or trying new restaurants and cocktails. She also enjoys relaxing with a good book for some chill time.
Did we mention she also has THE best laugh?
Marketing Manager
Jacqui is a born and bred Novocastrian, completing her studies at the University of Newcastle where she attained a Bachelor of Business majoring in Marketing and HR/IR.
Following 3 years at the NSW Industrial Relations Commission, she then joined Lawler Partners (now known as PKF Newcastle and Sydney) as head of marketing for 6 years before moving to her current role as Marketing Manager of Osborn Law.
Jacqui loves working with the OL team to assist in ensuring they are (and feel) supported in their career journey.
Jacqui is passionate about giving back to the community and treasures her role with Camp Quality over the past 7 years as a committee member organising and running the Giggle Ball and now the By Invitation dinner. Her desire for assisting others comes from close to home, having been raised in a family heavily involved with the not for profit sector. She knows first-hand the difference these wonderful organisations can make to the lives of those who most need their support.
When out of the office, and not raising her 3 kids, she enjoys walking, catching up for a coffee or a good bubbles with family and friends, or listening to the odd John Farnham song…
Legal SecretaryCommercial & Corporate
Jess is a highly experienced Paralegal and Practice Manager at Osborn Law, with over 20 years of expertise in the legal industry, primarily specialising in Commercial and Property Law. She began her career by completing an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration and Management, and has since dedicated her professional journey to the legal field.
Jess works closely with our Commercial Team, overseeing all aspects of transactions. Highly regarded by clients, she brings extensive experience to lead and support our team of lawyers and support team. Additionally, Jess coordinates the support team at Osborn Law, fostering collaboration to ensure effective administration and timely delivery of the best outcomes for our clients.
During her time in the legal industry, Jess has developed a broad range of experience and skill sets in the following areas:
Jess possesses an extensive knowledge base across all areas of our commercial legal practice, as well as in the day-to-day operational management of the office. Having been with the Osborn Law team since 2011, her wealth of experience allows her to collaborate closely with the team to ensure that legal processes are managed efficiently and effectively. She also thrives on challenges, continuously seeking opportunities to learn and grow. Jess enjoys being involved in multiple projects and initiatives, always striving to enhance and improve processes and outcomes.
Outside of the office, likes to spend time with her young family at the beach or somewhere near the water whilst enjoying a book or two.
Legal Secretary
Commercial
Meg is an experienced Legal Secretary that has been working in the industry for over 9 years’ predominantly in the areas of Commercial and Property law. She started her career in legal undertaking her Certificate III in Business Administration, a move that made her love working in the legal industry.
Mainly assisting the commercial team, Meg is the point of call for the rest of the OL team when needed and is also well known to our commercial clients.
During her time as a Legal Secretary, Meg has worked in boutique and national law firms and has developed a broad range of experience and skills in the following areas:
Meg strives to assist the team and clients to ensure that the experience is a positive one.
She enjoys that no two matters are the same and the constant learning through each new challenge thrown her way.
As an outdoors person (with a green thumb), Meg loves to spend time in the garden when away from the office as well as camping and going to the beach with family and friends.
Legal Secretary Wills & Estate Planning
Erin has more than 20 years’ experience in the legal industry having started her career as a young trainee completing Certificate III then Certificate IV in Business Administration. Since this time, she supported teams in a variety of firms of different sizes before finding her niche within Estate Planning.
Erin is compassionate and understands the importance of assisting clients at what can be a difficult time in their lives.
She is an absolute pocket rocket – a real doer committed to ensuring our clients and team are supported – and all done with a smile.
When not in the office you will find Erin spending time with her family including enjoying a nice meal and bottle of wine with partner Ryan along with exploring our local beautiful bush trails.
Legal Secretary
Therese (affectionately known as Aunty Therese by her OL family) brings more than 40 years’ experience in all aspects of client services and customer support roles across a wide variety of sectors.
A definite people person, Therese enjoys meeting and getting to know people and listening to their interesting stories. She loves supporting clients, which is evident through her management of processes and procedures at Osborn Law to ensure the best service is delivered.
As a Legal Secretary, Therese is committed to assisting our entire team – never afraid to roll up her sleeves to make sure the job gets done. Her role also includes overseeing building maintenance and coordination, helping keep everything running smoothly behind the scenes.
When not in the office, Therese loves to go camping with her family to see what our wonderful country has to offer; breakfast on the beach after a 4WD on the sand dunes, along with catching a live show or musical with family and friends.
Administration AssistantWills & Estate Planning
Julie brings a wealth of experience and a dedication to excellence in her role as an Administrative Assistant for the Wills and Estates Team. Her career journey spans diverse industries, showcasing her adaptability, professionalism, and commitment to supporting high-performing teams.
Julie began her career as a receptionist for a property developer, where she honed her administrative skills while attending night school. She then joined Centurion Park Cricket Stadium, quickly advancing to Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, a role she excelled in for three years. Julie later supported senior executives at Afribrand, a listed entity, for four years, managing complex schedules and correspondence with professionalism and efficiency.
Julie paused her full-time work to focus on her family before embracing her passion for customer service and joined the Wills and Estates Team at OL. In her role, she provides essential administrative support, managing client engagement, diary coordination, document preparation, file management, and team support. She takes pride in ensuring seamless operations and contributing to the team’s success.
Outside of work, Julie leads an active lifestyle and enjoys group fitness classes, walking along Newcastle’s scenic Foreshore with her Cavoodle, Lenny, and exploring the region’s café culture and culinary scene. She also gives back to the community as a volunteer at the Got Your Back Sista charity shop in Darby Street, where she loves connecting with people and discovering hidden treasures.
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