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

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

Consultant

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

Catherine has more than 25 years of experience practising in family law and civil litigation.

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.

Along with expertise in all areas of family law, Catherine has substantial experience in general civil litigation including property matters and professional negligence.

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

• family law
• property settlement
• divorce
• de facto matters
• financial agreements
• spousal maintenance
• child support
• surrogacy
• adoption.

Catherine is a member of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia and the Australian Association of Collaborative Professionals.

Contact Catherine Hokin

Senior Associate

B.A., LL.B.(Hons)

Catherine has over 20 years of experience and expertise in all aspects of family law.  She has a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from Adelaide University.

Catherine provides  pragmatic and empathetic advice to individuals during their relationship, after a separation and if they are having difficulties with parenting arrangements.

Being raised on the Eyre Peninsula in South Australia Catherine understands the specific challenges faced by those in rural and regional areas.  She has assisted many metropolitan, rural and agricultural clients to navigate the complexities of family law especially where there is intergenerational business or farming enterprises including companies, trusts and self managed superannuation funds.

Catherine can provide specialised assistance in the following areas:

• divorce
• parenting matters
• pre-relationship and pre-marriage financial agreements
• de facto and matrimonial property with complex property pools, farms and family businesses
• spousal maintenance
• child support and adult child maintenance
• children’s and parenting matters including relocation
• mediation

Being Adelaide metropolitan based since 2012, Catherine has raised two children who have experienced both city and country living like her.  They are all avid travellers and campers.

When she can, Catherine likes to get away with friends and family to explore the wide brown land, South Australia’s wineries, restaurants and especially the gin distilleries.

Catherine is a qualified mediator having successfully completed the AIFLAM mediation program in October 2023.

She is a member of Family Law Section; Law Society of SA; and AIFLAM and she is on the Practice & Ethics Committee of Law Society

Contact Catherine Leis

Senior Associate

LL.B.(Hons)

Kerry has more than 20 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., B.Mgmt(HRM), B.Com, GDLP

Before joining Adelta Legal as a Senior Associate, George gained experience at another leading law firm specialising in Wills & Estates and has over 10 years of experience in this field.

He can assist clients with their estate planning needs whether simple or complex (incorporating Testamentary Trusts) to ensure that their wishes are met.  This also includes providing asset protection strategies with respect to clients:

• personal assets
• superannuation contributions
• trust held assets
• company held assets.

He also assists clients with applications for grants of representation (Probate or Letters of Administration) and the administration of deceased estates.  His practice also extends to advice in relation to contested estates.

George enjoys providing clients with practical legal advice with his friendly and approachable manner.

While studying at the University of South Australia George completed a double degree Bachelor of Laws & Bachelor of Management (Human Resources) and a Bachelor of Commerce.

Contact George Capaldo

Senior Associate

LL.B.(Hons), GDLP

Marianna has obtained bachelor’s degrees in both Media and Law and was admitted to the Supreme Court of South Australia in 2017 after completing her Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice.

Marianna’s particular interest and focus is in the areas of wills and estates litigation and elder law.  Her approach with clients is genuine and honest.  She takes pride in guiding clients through tricky and troublesome waters and works with clients to achieve pragmatic and practical solutions.  Marianna is a strong advocate for mediation.

Marianna can assist in the following areas:

• estate planning
• deceased estates administration
• inheritance family provision disputes
• estate disputes
• SACAT disputes
• statutory wills
• court appointed litigation guardian.

Early in her career Marianna gained experience in a variety of practice areas, including commercial and estate litigation, wills and estates, intellectual property, business sales, native title law, liquor licencing, property and general commercial and contract law.

Marianna is a member of the Law Society of South Australia.  She is also an affiliate member of STEP (Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners) and an active committee member of both STEP (SA) Branch Committee and the Emerging TEP Committee.

With a passion for education Marianna gives her time tutoring Succession Law at the University of Adelaide.

Contact Marianna Danby

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

BA., LL.B., GDLP

Katherine is originally from Sydney where she completed a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice in 2008.  Katherine was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 2009 and was subsequently admitted to the Supreme Court of South Australia in 2020 and the High Court of South Australia in 2022.

Katherine has a keen interest in wills and estates and can assist clients with the preparation of Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney and Advance Care Directives.  Katherine is dedicated to providing her clients with peace of mind knowing that their families and assets are protected.   Katherine can also assist executors and family members who have lost a loved one in managing and distributing an estate in an empathetic and efficient manner.

Coming from an Argentinian/Italian background, Katherine speaks fluent Spanish.

Outside of Adelta Legal, Katherine enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Contact Katherine Da Cunha

Solicitor

LL.B.(Hons), BMedia, GDLP

The proud daughter of a hardworking farmer-turned-truck driver, Elyse grew up drenching sheep and reaping crops on the family farm on the Southern Yorke Peninsula.  She completed a Bachelor of Laws with honours, a Bachelor of Media and GDLP at the University of Adelaide.  She was admitted to practice in 2020.  Elyse began her legal career at the Crown Solicitor’s Office before serving as Associate to the Honourable Justice Bampton of the Supreme Court of South Australia.  It was during her time with her Honour that she unearthed her passion for estate litigation.

Elyse regularly appears in the Supreme Court in relation to inheritance and estate disputes and represents her clients at mediations.  Elyse’s personal experiences inform her empathetic and practical approach to her practice.  She is cognisant of the emotional toll of litigation, especially after the loss of a loved one.  Elyse prides herself on providing her clients with a thorough understanding of their options and guiding them through the process with compassion.

Elyse practices in the following areas:

• Inheritance (Family Provision) disputes
• Estate litigation
• Deceased estate administration
• Presumption of death matters
• Drafting Wills
• Preparing Powers of Attorney and Advance Care Directives

Outside of work, Elyse is a keen cross-stitcher, loves a weekend spent visiting her mum on Hindmarsh Island and is on a perpetual hunt for Adelaide’s best bowl of phở.

Contact Elyse Ramsay

Solicitor

LL.B., B.Acc., GDLP

Nicholas serves as a thoughtful and diligent member of our Wills and Estate Advice Team.

Nicholas is committed to maintaining high legal standards while providing cost-effective legal services to clients.  His approach ensures he addresses clients’ legal needs with precision, warmth, thorough care and a profound understanding of their unique circumstances.  His distinctive skill set, diverse background, including proficiency in Mandarin and dedication to delivering client-centric legal services have made him a trusted advocate for our clients.

Nicholas assists our clients with:

• estate planning, drafting of both simple and complex wills, preparation of powers of attorney and advanced care directives;
• estate administration, including complex grants of probate or letters of administration; and
• commercial transactions, property and conveyancing matters.

Nicholas has embarked on a legal journey grounded in a solid educational background and a dedication to striving for excellence.  He successfully completed an Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing while simultaneously pursuing his Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP), allowing him to develop a unique skill set that has proven valuable in his practice, particularly in the realm of property transactions.

Outside of his professional endeavours, Nicholas has a deep passion for photography.  With a keen eye for capturing moments, he applies the same attention to detail and precision to his legal work.  This perspective allows him to appreciate life’s intricacies and nuances, whether dissecting complex legal documents or framing a perfect shot.

Contact Nicholas Wang

Solicitor

LL.B., GDLP

Hailing from sunny Malaysia, Loretta completed her Bachelor of Laws with the University of Adelaide and was thereafter admitted to practice as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of South Australia. She has worked in the field of estate planning and estate administration ever since.

Loretta has lived in over four different countries throughout her life which has allowed her to bring a diverse perspective to her practice. She is dedicated to creating tailored solutions for each client’s unique estate planning needs, as well as assisting clients navigate the complexities of estate administration with sensitivity and professionalism.

She prides herself on providing practical, empathetic advice to her clients.

Loretta advises on a variety of estate planning and estate administration matters and is able to assist clients with:

• Preparing Wills, both simple and complex
• Advising on testamentary and discretionary trusts
• Preparing Powers of Attorney & Advance Care Directives
• Navigating the administration of their loved ones’ estates
• Applying to the South Australian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for administrative and guardianship orders.

Away from the office, Loretta is a homebody at heart who loves to bake (her chocolate chip cookie recipe is a crowd pleaser), tuck herself away with a book and play video games. She can also speak Bahasa Malaysia in a pinch and is slowly working on her French.

Contact Loretta Cooper

Solicitor

LL.B.(Hons), GDLP

Daniel is a highly valued and effective member of the litigation team.  In addition to estate litigation, Daniel assists clients with their estate planning and deceased estate administration.

Daniel is committed to advancing the interests of his clients.  He provides high calibre cost-effective legal services to clients while maintaining an empathetic approach.

Born in England but having lived the majority of his life in Australia, Daniel has a unique social background and experience which facilitates meaningful engagement with clients of different backgrounds.  Having studied at the University of South Australia, Daniel successfully completed the Bachelor of Law with Honours and subsequently the Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (GDLP), with a particular interest in Succession and Estate law.

After working hours, Daniel spends most of his time with his family and friends, as well as remaining invested in playing music on the guitar and winding down with a story centred video game.

Contact Daniel Miller

Solicitor

LL.B.(Hons), GDLP

Socrates graduated from the University of Adelaide and completed a Bachelor of Laws (Honours). He has a background as a legal researcher with the University and has experience working for several commercial law firms across South Australia.

He assists clients prepare simple and complex wills, enduring and general powers of attorney and advance care directives. This includes advising on testamentary trusts, protective trusts, special disability trusts, superannuation and assets held by companies and trusts.

His work also extends to deceased estate administration, including obtaining simple and complex grants of probate and letters of administration from the Supreme Court of South Australia, and providing support to our litigation team.

In his spare time, Socrates enjoys going for walks along the beach and listening to a good podcast.

Contact Socrates Giatrakos

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