Sonia Anderson - Partner
BA LLB (Macquarie)
Sonia was accredited by The Law Society of New South Wales as a Specialist in Personal Injury Law in 1996 and
accredited by LEADR as a Mediator in 2002.
Sonia has more than 20 years experience in dispute resolution through the justice system including experience in family law, de-facto relationships law, victims compensation, industrial common law disputes, anti-discrimination law and industrial law. She has conducted litigation in a wide range of jurisdictions including the High Court of Australia.
Sonia's highly developed 'people skills' have enabled her to relate comfortably with clients and to recognise that often the parties to a dispute are in the best position to develop their own outcomes and solutions.
Sonia also specialises in conflict management and encourages people who are involved in a dispute to contact her for a free pre-mediation conference which fully outlines the process of mediation.
Matthew Bryan - Partner
(BA (Hons), LLB (Hons), Dip Leg Prac)
Matthew was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales, and the High Court of Australia, in 2003.
He practices primarily in litigation and dispute resolution, with a particular emphasis on providing legal advice on all issues relating to debt recovery, insolvency, building and construction law, development and planning law and contested Wills and Probate applications.
In doing so he regularly advises clients on the provisions of the Corporations Act, the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, the Retail Leases Act, the Family Provision Act, and the Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payment) Act.
Matthew represents the rights and interests of clients in a wide array of Courts and Tribunals including the Federal Court, the Supreme Court, the Consumer, Trader & Tenancy Tribunal, the Chief Industrial Magistrates Court and the Land and Environment Court.
Andrew Craig - Partner
B. Com, LLB
Andrew Craig specialises in commercial law including building and construction, commercial contract documentation and corporate advice.
Before joining McDonald Johnson, Andrew worked as a senior associate in the Property, Infrastructure & Development department of a large commercial law firm in Adelaide where he specialised in drafting and negotiating construction and infrastructure contracts for large corporations and government and statutory authorities.
Andrew has spent several years specialising in building, construction and mining law. Andrew has acted for several national mining and construction companies and gained expertise in the preparation of construction contracts and also litigious matters including claims under security of payment legislation.
Andrew represents clients in commercial litigation matters in various courts and tribunals including the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia.
Andrew currently acts for prominent property developers, statutory authorities, construction companies and professional services firms.
Areas of Expertise
- General contract, corporate and commercial matters
- Building and construction contracts
- Property development and infrastructure
- Commercial litigation and dispute resolution
Meet our Solicitors
Peter Owens - Special Counsel
BA LLB (Sydney)
Accredited Specialist by The Law Society of New South Wales in Property Law.
Peter acts for major property developers and large public companies throughout New South Wales in development and property matters. He has a large practice in the relocation of executives and other personnel.
He is experienced in all aspects of strata title developments, having been involved in some of the Hunter region's major developments.
Andrew Johnson - Solicitor
(B.Ec LLB)
Andrew was admitted as a solicitor in 1987 and is an Accredited Specialist in Property Law.
He practises in the area of Estate Planning including Wills, Testamentary Trusts, Powers of Attorney and Appointment of Enduring Guardians. With superannuation becoming increasingly important as a financial resource for many, Andrew strongly believes in liaising closely with clients’ financial advisors when reviewing their estate planning needs.
As one of the earlier practitioners in the area to become accredited by the Law Society of New South Wales as a specialist in property law, Andrew has extensive experience in residential and commercial conveyancing, commercial and retail leasing, and has a particular interest in Old System title.
Cathy Dobinson - Solicitor
Cathy practices principally in the areas of commercial and residential property transactions. She has experience working in conveyancing and mortgage transactions, the sale and purchase of businesses, franchise transactions and commercial and retail leasing.
Cathy also has experience in the area of Wills and deceased estates, including probate and intestacy, power or attorney and appointment of enduring guardian.
Cathy was admitted as a Solicitor in 2003.
Rose Laffan - Solicitor
B.Arts (Politics), LLB, Dip.Leg.Prac.
Rose is a solicitor with a family law practice. Rose also acts for clients in civil litigation.
Rose was admitted to practice in 2006 and has been with McDonald Johnson Lawyers since that time. Rose aims to combine her understanding of the latest in legal development including the plain language movement with the traditional practitioner duties to the law, the court, fellow practitioners and to the client.
Rose’s main area of practice is family law and her clientele appreciate her friendly and amicable approach.
“Family law clients are often experiencing the worst time of their lives: they may be leaving the family home, no longer with their children, or facing financial insecurity. Assisting in the establishment of a new legal framework is an extremely gratifying experience”
Rose is an active committee member of the Newcastle Law Society and is a member of its Young Lawyers and Social Committee’s. Rose volunteers at the “drop-in” legal advice nights at the University of Newcastle Legal Centre.
