Nice to meet you
“We’re proud of our team at Eastern Legal and we’re passionate about what we do. Our lawyers are amongst the top in their fields professionally with decades of legal experience. But, we not only talk the talk, we’ve also likely walked your walk….marriage, separation, parenting, divorce, blended families, planning for the future, loss of loved ones, challenging family dynamics….we’ve lived too.
Our coffee machine is always on and we invite you to come in to see how we can help.”
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~Rachel & Scott~
Rachel Sinclair / Director & Principal
Rachel specialises in Wills & Estates and Family Law. This combination allows Rachel to provide her clients with a well-rounded insight to both areas of law as the issues regularly interact.
With extensive experience in estate planning, Rachel advises on and prepares Wills, Testamentary Trusts, Enduring Powers of Attorney, Advance Care Directives, Superannuation Death Benefit Nominations and Letters of Wishes. Rachel regularly assists with the succession planning for small-medium business owners, farming families and clients with blended or complex family dynamics. Rachel helps families with deceased estate administration including applications for Probate and Letters of Administration as well as complex and contested estates.
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Also practising in all aspects of Family Law, Rachel is a strong advocate who is results driven and pragmatic. As a qualified mediator, Rachel’s approach is to avoid litigation where possible, however she has extensive court experience should that be the path required.
As a mother of two gorgeous mini-me’s (as she describes them), Rachel is still working on that elusive work/life balance that we all strive for, but she finds that a glass (or two) of wine with friends always helps.
Scott Valente / Director & Principal
Scott is a Barrister and Solicitor practising exclusively in Family Law. He is known for his expertise in all aspects of Family Law; including complex matrimonial property disputes, Financial Agreements and difficult parenting issues that arise from the breakdown of relationships. He has a strong focus of working with clients to ensure they achieve their desired outcomes, through pragmatic and practical based solutions, whilst navigating circumstantial challenges that can often present. Scott’s friendly, approachable, yet professional demeanour results in his clients feeling confident and well supported throughout their family law matter.
Away from the office Scott is a married father of two, whose pastimes includes red wine and riding his bike through the Adelaide Hills.
Ria is an experienced savvy solicitor with an astute business acumen and attention to detail. She practises in both Family Law and Wills & Estates, working with clients on property settlements, children’s matters, Binding Financial Agreements and Spousal Maintenance as well as all areas of Succession Law.
Ria has particular experience in complex and high-end estate plans, having worked in large commercial firms and as an Estate Planning Specialist at one of Australia’s top four banks.
Outside of the firm Ria enjoys the ballet, the opera and jet-fueled drag racing.
Ria Ellis / Senior Solicitor
Our team is well supported by Courtney and Jemma, our bright and energetic young Law Clerks, who provide administrative support (and sometimes moral support) to our lawyers and keep Eastern Legal running smoothly.
Both 'Clerks' are sporty and social, playing footy for their local teams.
