Over 30 years, Paul has built a reputation as one of the most effective Commercial and Property lawyers on the Central Coast.

Paul is sought after to act in substantial property and commercial transactions. Paul has extensive experience in commercial and business advice, leasing, finance, property transactions, estate planning, hotel and motel transfer, liquor licensing, trusts and litigation. He represents clients locally, nationally and internationally.

Paul was founding past president of the Peninsula Chamber of Commerce, Deputy Chairman and Director of Central Coast Area Health Service, past Chairman of the Woy Woy Peninsula Catholic Parish Council and former Director of Loreto Normanhurst.

Currently, Paul is Chairman of Central Coast Local Health District, a Director of Bluewave Living Aged Care Facility, Deputy Chairman of Employment and Training Australia Limited, a Director of SCG Cricket and honorary solicitor to a number of local sporting and social clubs. Paul is an active member of the business community and a director of a number of private investment companies.

In 2015, Paul was named Gosford Council’s Citizen of the Year for his dedication and passionate advocacy to ensure the Central Coast community has the best possible public health services.

Paul joined Tonkin Drysdale Partners in 1991 after a 5 years association with Herbert Smith & W. B. Phillips in Sydney. Paul was admitted to the partnership in 1992 on the same day as retirement of his father, the late Philip Tonkin who founded our firm in 1958.

Paul and his wife Anne-Maree have four adult children and his time away from the office is usually spent with his family enjoying a variety of sporting interests.

Paul is a leading family lawyer on the Central Coast, a nationally accredited mediator and an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.

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.

One of the most experienced litigators on the Central Coast, Darrell Pannowitz has been with Tonkin Drysdale Partners since 1988.

With 32 years’ experience as a solicitor and over 47 years’ experience in NSW Courts, Darrell provides expert, experienced advice and representation in all Federal and State Courts and Tribunals. He has particular expertise in will/estate disputes and personal injury.

Darrell also assists clients with estate planning, residential and commercial conveyancing, and commercial transactions.

In 2015, Darrell was awarded the Medal of the Order of Australia for service to the community of Umina. In 2017 he was honoured with the prestigious Peninsula Chamber of Commerce President’s Award.

Darrell lives with his wife Sharon at East Gosford. He is passionate about care for our elders and is an Honorary Director of Peninsula Village at Umina Beach, President of the Umina Beach Men’s Shed, and honorary solicitor to a number of clubs and charities on the Central Coast.

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.

James is a part of Tonkin Drysdale Partners’ Commercial Law and Property & Conveyancing Law teams.

James brings a wealth of knowledge to the team, with previous experience in mid-tier law firms in Newcastle and Sydney. During his time at those firms, James developed a strong ability to provide his clients with proactive, practical and outcome-driven legal advice to assist his clients in achieving their objectives.

Outside of work, you’ll likely find James hiking in one of the many national parks that surround the Central Coast.