Strong Relationship with Community at Halyburton Legal
- Claire Bradshaw
- Jan 31, 2020
- 3 min read
If you’ve strolled down The Boulevarde in Toronto sometime in the past few months, you might already recognise the name Halyburton Legal. The boutique law firm, set just back from the lake’s edge, was formerly the Toronto office of a long-established Newcastle/Lake Macquarie firm and home to now-retired local lawyer, John Williams. But the name change doesn’t mean the firm’s 30-year connection to the local community will be any different. In fact, Director Solicitor Kathryn Halyburton and her team are determined to ensure that connection will be stronger than ever.
The firm’s name change to Halyburton Legal officially came about in the second half of 2019. Kathryn became the owner of the business’ Toronto arm two years prior when the previous firm merged with a national firm. “I was employed by the previous firm for a long time, about 17 years, and ended up buying the Toronto office,” she explains.
It was a natural move for Kathryn, who has been practising law since 2002. She began her career as a legal secretary, having children and working part-time while studying law. In 2013, Kathryn became a partner of another local firm, Schofield Muir Lawyers, with offices in Warners Bay and Belmont. Last year Halyburton Legal purchased Schofield Muir Lawyers as well – and now, the Halyburton name is being rolled out across all three offices in Toronto, Warners Bay and Belmont.
Clients in Warners Bay and Belmont can expect to see new signage over the coming weeks. While the branding may have changed, both the personnel and approach to providing quality legal services remain the same. Clients can still expect to see familiar faces and experience the same high level of service when they visit any of the three offices. “While we’re always keen to improve, there’s also the promise of the same high standard of quality work and quality care for our clients, which has always been the priority for us,” Kathryn says.
With the firm’s ties to the local Lake Macquarie community stretching back across three decades, it’s no surprise that a strong relationship with the area and its people is a cornerstone of Kathryn’s work and Halyburton Legal as a whole. “I live locally in Lake Macquarie, my kids have gone to school in Eleebana and Warners Bay, I’ve worked in Toronto and Warners Bay for a number of years, even my husband is a Warners Bay boy from years back – so there’s that local connection,” she explains.
Plenty of local ties are to be found throughout the rest of the Halyburton Legal team, too. Amanda Douglas, a solicitor who has been working in the local area for over a decade, specialises in criminal, family and civil litigation as well as wills and estates. Solicitor Samantha Woods also provides services in criminal and family law, while Jenna Ingram, also a solicitor, mainly carries out property work for conveyancing and leasing, wills and estates. Solicitor Lisa Boyd provides a more generalised range of services, like Kathryn herself, who has extensive experience in areas such as estate litigation and planning, property and small business. And finally, licensed conveyancer Geoff Zietsch rounds out the team with 30+ years of experience in residential conveyancing.
No matter your legal needs, there’s a member of the Halyburton Legal team who can help you out. Kathryn assures that it’s simply a matter of calling through or making an appointment to visit one of the offices, where you can discuss your requirements and the best way forward with the right expert for your situation.
Get in touch with Kathryn and the team at info@halyburtonlegal.com.au or check out their website for more information www.halyburtonlegal.com.au
