Introducing Our
Family Law Team
Lee was appointed by the Law Society of NSW as an Accredited Specialist in Family Law in 2017. He is the only Family Law Accredited Specialist in the Central Coast/Hunter region to sit on the Law Society’s Family Law Specialist Accreditation Advisory Committee after his appointment in 2018.
Lee is the head of our Family Law Team, the largest family law practice on the Central Coast. Lee is highly skilled across all areas of family law, and has a strong reputation for acting in complex, high net worth property matters, including family businesses, companies and trusts.
Lee’s practice is almost exclusively in litigation and court advocacy. He also has broad experience in all aspects of litigation including criminal, commercial litigation, workplace/industrial cases and other types of civil disputes.
Outside of work, Lee enjoys time with his young family, and he is by his own admission sports crazy and a cricket tragic.
Paul is a leading family lawyer on the Central Coast and a nationally accredited mediator.
Paul has been admitted as a solicitor for over 20 years and practiced on the Central Coast for the last 20 years.
Paul is well regarded for his expertise in complex family law matters, including difficult parenting disputes and risk cases. As well as working within the court system, Paul has extensive experience in resolving family law matters outside the court system and encourages the use of Alternative Dispute Resolution processes in his practice. Paul’s sensible approach to matters sees many favourable settlements for his clients prior to needing to commence Court proceedings.
Paul also assists clients with estate planning, conveyancing and leases.
Paul is the immediate past president of the Rotary Club of Umina Beach and a past vice chairman of the Central Coast Small Business Networking Group. He is an active member of the Star of the Sea Catholic Church and a member of the P&F Executive at Star of the Sea Primary School.
Sophie is an experienced solicitor in the Family Law and Commercial Law teams at Tonkin Drysdale Partners.
Admitted in 2012, Sophie spent her first seven years as a solicitor with a leading firm in Tamworth working across a range of areas including family law, property transactions and estate planning.
She continues to be sought after by members of the greater Tamworth community to act in their legal matters. Sophie has particular expertise in rural family law disputes involving large land holdings, farms and agricultural businesses.
Sophie develops an instant rapport with her clients, and is an excellent communicator who provides clear and direct advice.
Her easy manner may come from having worked as an Occupational Therapist for more than a decade prior to changing careers and completing her graduate law degree at The University of Sydney.
Sophie has a long and proud connection with the local community having grown up on the Peninsula and completing her Higher School Certificate at Gosford High School.
In her spare time, Sophie enjoys keeping active and travelling.
Nick is an instrumental member of the Criminal and Family Law teams at Tonkin Drysdale Partners.
Nick is an experienced and determined advocate, regularly appearing before the Local Court, District Court, Supreme Court, Federal Court and Federal Circuit Court.
Nick has developed a broad practice in the criminal jurisdiction, with experience ranging from serious criminal matters such as sexual offences, drug offences and firearms offences, to summary matters in the Local Court.
Nick is committed to providing his clients with clear, straight-forward advice and is dedicated in ensuring his client’s interests are protected and defended to the highest standard.
Nick originally hails from Nelson Bay, however for the past five years has called the Central Coast home. In his spare time, Nick spends his time with his young family, at one of the Coast’s many beautiful beaches or donning the famous maroon and gold of the Terrigal Matcham Bellbirds in the Central Coast Cricket Competition.
TDP offers the largest Family Law team on the Central Coast. Our Family Law team is led by Lee Pawlak whose expertise in the area has been recognised by the Law Society of NSW, which, in 2017, appointed him an Accredited Specialist in Family Law. In 2018, Lee was also appointed to the Law Society’s elite Family Law Specialist Accreditation Advisory Committee.
Whether you have a simple property matter or a difficult parenting dispute involving risk issues, we are highly skilled at negotiating good outcomes without the intervention of the Courts. In some matters however, litigation is unavoidable. All members of our Family Law team have extensive experience in the Family Courts and are able to expertly guide you throughout the process.
TDP can provide expert advice and assistance in all areas of Family Law including:
- Property settlements
- Parenting arrangements
- Divorce
- Maintenance
- Binding Financial Agreements/Pre-nuptial Agreements
- Mediation Services
If you need assistance, one of our experts would be delighted to help.
Get In Touch.
For expert legal advice, contact TDP today.