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.
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 18 years and some of the work that she has performed involved the following:
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. Some of the work that Christie has performed involved the following:
Marissa has over 18 years’ experience working in the legal profession practicing primarily in commercial and corporate law and property law. She joined Osborn Law in November 2015 after spending 6 years as Partner in a National Law firm running a Corporate/Commercial and Property Law practice in their Newcastle office.
Marissa has worked with a number of clients across many specialised industries including construction, mining and manufacturing. Marissa regularly acts for a number of mining support businesses.
She regularly advises her clients in relation to the following:
Marissa also has expertise working for a number of not for profit and charity organisations in relation to their corporate and commercial and property law requirements.
In addition, Marissa has extensive litigation and dispute resolution experience appearing in all court jurisdictions including the High Court of Australia. She has also appeared in a number of tribunals such as the Consumer, Trader & Tenancy Tribunal.
This diverse legal experience in niche areas of law allows Marissa to provide practical commercial solutions to complex legal problems. She prides herself on understanding her client’s business and working with her clients to achieve the desired outcomes for each project.
Marissa is a Notary Public and a former Director on the Harness Racing NSW board which is the body that conducts the commercial and regulatory functions of the harness racing industry in NSW.
Marissa was previously on the advisory board of Hunter Export Centre and was the winner of the 2009 Hunter Business Chamber’s ‘Young Achiever of the Year Award’.
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:
Alison Garland has over 17 years’ experience within the legal industry and works with clients in a range of industries.
Alison has previously worked for a National based property and commercial law firm within the commercial and property division. This role involved property work for a large government agency, residential and commercial conveyancing and commercial and retail lease work. Alison also has experience representing two large Newcastle based Building Societies as well as National Lenders.
Alison’s property law expertise includes:
Alison works hard for the best outcomes for her clients with an emphasis on being accessible and delivering practical, sound and prompt solutions. Alison prides herself on getting to know her clients needs and ensuring that she goes the extra mile to achieve the desired outcome.
When not in the office Alison enjoys spending quality time with her family and friends.
George has 20 years’ experience working in the legal profession. Prior to joining Osborn Law George was a partner for 12 years at a medium size suburban practice supervising the commercial, property, estate planning and deceased estates departments in the practice.
George’s areas of practice include:
George’s aim is to provide legal advice to clients that will meet the client’s expectations and outcomes by collaborating with the client through the legal process.
When not at work George enjoys spending time with his family, watching as much sport as he can and fishing with his mates.
Lana completed a Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Newcastle prior to being admitted as a solicitor in 2013.
She has over seven years’ experience in the legal profession practicing primarily in the areas of estate planning and deceased estates, along with property and commercial law.
Lana’s focus is primarily in estate planning, with experience in advising clients in relation to:
She 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 our commercial team when looking at clients’ commercial structuring arrangements.
Lana is particularly passionate about estate planning and is currently undertaking a Masters in Wills and Estates.
Lana’s property and commercial law experience complements her skills in estate planning and means that she has a well-rounded, practical approach in advising commercial clients.
When not in the office, Lana enjoys catching up with family and friends (particularly by a camp fire) and running around after her children.
Sarah Hovanyecz has more than 7 years’ experience in the legal profession. Sarah worked as a settlement clerk and paralegal in Sydney CBD before being admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court in 2015 following completion of a Bachelor of Laws with Honours at the University of Wollongong in 2014.
Sarah worked as a commercial solicitor at a boutique firm in Sydney before moving to Newcastle in 2015 where she continued to practice as a commercial and employment solicitor before joining the Osborn Law team in 2018.
She has a particular interest and skillset for commercial transactions, including share sales and purchases; corporate structuring and restructuring; business sales and purchases; and, mergers and acquisitions. Sarah enjoys a good challenge and problem solving so she works well under pressure.
Sarah’s experience in commercial law includes:
She has also assisted clients with general litigation, debt recovery and employment matters including drafting and advising on employment contracts and acting for both employers and employees in Fair Work Commission proceedings. Sarah believes her experience in litigation and employment law assists her to provide considered and practical advice to her clients about the risks they need to be aware of in their commercial dealings.
Sarah prides herself on exceeding client expectations and is passionate about developing a genuine relationship with her clients.
When she is not in the office, Sarah can usually be found either playing or coaching netball (which is most days!) but when she has some down time she enjoys being with her family and her two dogs Ruby and Daisy. Sarah also actively supports a number of charity initiatives in the local area, including being a volunteer with Dog Rescue Newcastle since 2017.
Joshua McCormack graduated from the University of Newcastle with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in 2017 and a Bachelor of Communications (Media and Journalism) in 2015.
He completed the Legal Practice Program at the University of Newcastle while studying in 2017 and was admitted as a solicitor to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in February 2018.
Prior to joining Osborn Law, Joshua worked for a national insurance law firm where he assisted local governments on various public liability disputes. He gained further valued legal experience in a boutique family and criminal law practice in Newcastle.
Joshua works closely within the Osborn Law litigation team assisting in a variety of commercial, corporate and employment matters. He has assisted clients in a number of building and constructions disputes in the Local, District and Supreme Court. He has worked on complex commercial matters in the technology and commercial list of the Supreme Court.
Morgan was born and raised in Newcastle and holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons Class I) and a Bachelor of Arts (Politics and International Relations) from the University of Newcastle. Admitted as a solicitor in 2017, Morgan gained experience in a range of private practice roles during his studies, including a clerkship in Jakarta at one of Indonesia’s leading corporate and commercial law firms.
Morgan’s expertise includes:
Morgan also has a particular interest in working for a number of not for profit and charitable organisations in relation to their commercial and property law requirements as well as providing advice on corporate governance and ACNC compliance.
Morgan prides himself on his personable nature and commercial approach and uses his range of experience to assist clients in all aspects of their development, whether in initial structuring, growth, contracting or exit.
When not in the office, Morgan enjoys keeping fit, travelling and exploring Newcastle with his family and friends.
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.
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