OUR TEAM

MEET OUR TEAM

RJ O'Halloran Solicitors & Attorneys Tamworth NSW

Patrick James O’Halloran – Director / Senior Partner

As the senior partner at one of Australia’s oldest and longest-running family-based legal practices, Patrick was admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1982 and has since been an essential leader at our firm. Patrick shows great empathy and has offered continual support to all his clients over the past 40 years.

Patrick specialises and solely practices in Wills & Estates, Estate & Probate litigation, and Succession & Estate Planning. Patrick is often briefed by other practitioners, accountants, and financial advisors throughout New South Wales on such legal matters. Patrick has formerly practiced in all areas of law.

Proud of his old-fashioned service, whilst maintaining up-to-date knowledge of all current legislation and boasting of published papers in constitutional and corporate law, Patrick is one of the most well-respected solicitors in our local industry. Patrick is also an honorary solicitor for a number of local organisations and a keen swimmer and pianist in his spare time.

Andrew John O’Halloran – Director / Senior Partner & Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law

Andrew is a senior partner of the firm and was admitted to practice law in the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1991, Andrew has successfully practiced in personal injury law and litigation for the entirety of his career. Andrew became a Law Society Accredited Specialist in personal injury in 2002. Andrew possesses over 33 years of experience and updates his legal knowledge of personal injury law each year to maintain his accreditation status. Andrew has also practiced in commercial and criminal law conducting a number of hearings over a long period of time. He is an experienced and competent advocate having shadowed his father and grandfather in courts across the region and been successful in large-scale pieces of litigation.

Through thorough research and careful preparation, Andrew and his team ensure clients achieve success in their compensation claims, operating on a no-win/no-fee basis. Andrew takes the time to fully prepare statements and other evidentiary aspects of each claim with a view to proving both statutory and common law claims with a view to achieving excellent outcomes for his clients. Andrew commonly takes instructions from injured plaintiffs residing all over NSW including Moree, Narrabri, Gunnedah, Armidale, Quirindi and Gunnedah.

Outside the office, Andrew is a life member of Tamworth Pirates Rugby Club and has recently represented the NSW Over 50'S State Cricket side and plays grade cricket locally. Andrew has a keen interest in vintage Packard cars, which can often be seen parked in front of the offices on Fitzroy Street.

Richard James O’Halloran – Lawyer

Richard is a 4th generation practitioner at R.J. O’Halloran & Co. Richard was admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW in 2014. He obtained a Bachelor of Business / Law at the University of New England and his graduate Diploma of Law in Sydney. He has recently completed his Master of Law through Sydney. Richard specialises in property law, commercial law, and estate matters. Richard has run a number of criminal hearings in Local and District Courts as well as employment hearings within Fair Work and the Industrial Relations Commission. Richard regularly travels to assist rural clients throughout Moree, Narrabri, and Quirindi with water licenses and conveyancing matters.

Richard recently spent two years in England where he played Premier Grade cricket and worked in the reputable London City firm Winkworth Sherwood returning to our firm in 2017. Richard regularly speaks at a number of local events and online platforms on succession and commercial law matters. He also has experience with carriage of family law cases over the years.

Douglas John Biffin – Lawyer

Douglas was born and raised in Tamworth completing his education at Farrer Memorial Agricultural High School before studying a Bachelor of Commerce / Laws and a Graduate Diploma of Law at the University of New England. After completing his tertiary studies, Douglas worked for Macquarie Bank in Sydney before returning to Tamworth to become a valuable addition to the firm in 2012.

Douglas has a vast practice in all areas of law including family, property, conveyancing and estates. Douglas has now developed particular expertise and specialty in property law and commercial law overseeing a number of significant transactions for rural and agricultural clients.

Sarah Simmonds – Lawyer

Sarah joined the firm in 2014 undertaking a gap year position and has since worked in a variety of capacities, gaining experience assisting with all areas of law. Sarah was admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 2020. Sarah mainly practices in personal injury law which include medical negligence, motor vehicle accidents, and worker’s compensation matters. Sarah has also expanded her practice into property law and conveyancing.

Sarah has many years of experience in the area of personal injury law including motor vehicle accidents and workers compensation claims. She is an expert in the area and works closely with Andrew preparing all forms of claims. Sarah prides herself on fully preparing both statutory and common law claims with attention to detail and thereafter obtaining excellent results. She has a level of empathy and compassion towards her clients in times of need and performs her duties with a high level of skill and integrity. Sarah is an ILARS approved lawyer in the area and looks forward to obtaining instructions and preparing claims for compensation.

Renee Dixon – Licensed Conveyancer

Renee has been a valued member of the conveyancing team at RJ O’Halloran & Co for over 20 years since leaving high school. Renee was born and raised in Tamworth, following her mother Beverly Miller and sister Lisa Johnston both former employees to join the firm. Renee has worked on a number of significant commercial, rural and residential transactions.

Renee has recently worked on a number of significant hotel and motel transactions undertaking the necessary due diligence associated with the purchase on behalf of clients including addressing legal issues pertaining to the lease, poker machines, license and stock take. Renee assists clients throughout the conveyancing process in a friendly and timely manner from exchange to settlement. Renee can be contacted at renee@rjohalloran.net.au or via phone on 0466 643 861 as she now works remotely from Coffs Harbour.

Cassie Ireland – Licensed Conveyancer

Cassie is the most recent addition to the firm and has approximately over 20 years of experience in the legal profession. Cassie specialises in conveyancing and property matters. Cassie graduated with an Associate Degree in Law and became a Licensed Conveyancer in 2014.

Cassie has experience in all conveyancing and property transactions from rural and agricultural transactions to commercial and residential transactions and subdivisions. Cassie’s attention to detail and compassion towards her clients ensures that clients are guided and supported throughout the entirety of the conveyancing process. Cassie can be contacted at cassie@rjohalloran.net.au.

Catherine James – Conveyancer

Cate joined our firm over 20 years ago and has experience dealing with all areas of conveyancing and property law. Cate oversees our conveyancing department and works closely with our solicitors to ensure matters are dealt with promptly and professionally. She enjoys liaising with both Vendors and Purchasers to achieve successful outcomes and her expertise enables the smooth transition of matters from initial acceptance of offers through to exchange and completion. Cate is very approachable and welcomes the opportunity to assist with your conveyancing enquiries. Please feel free to contact her at cate@rjohalloran.net.au

Joshua Wadwell – Law Clerk

Joshua joined the firm at the conclusion of 2018 as a conveyancing assistant having completed school locally at McCarthy Catholic College. Joshua has fine credentials and is assisting the conveyancing staff.

Joshua is now expanding his depth of knowledge and practice into Family Law and Litigation matters assisting Richard and Douglas. Joshua is also currently undertaking tertiary study through UNE to obtain his Law degree in which he is excelling with a number of high distinction grades. Joshua can be contacted at joshua@rjohalloran.net.au. He is also heavily involved with the administration of estates and works closely with Patrick.

Brittany McIntosh – Law Clerk

Brittany joined the firm in January of 2021 as a receptionist. She was employed in this roll for a period of 2 years. She has now progressed into litigation working with both Andrew and Sarah preparing litigation cases and is heavily involved with the commencement and progression of personal injury cases. Brittany assists preparing motor vehicle accidents, workers compensation and also medical negligence cases. This area of personal injury law is very much labour intensive in terms of drafting a wide variety of documents. Brittany can be contacted at litigation@rjohalloran.net.au.

Callum Cutler – Law Clerk

Callum grew up in Tamworth and graduated from high school in 2020. He commenced working at the firm in 2021. While pursuing a Bachelor of Laws at the University of New England, Callum assists Patrick, Doug, and Richard in a clerical capacity in multiple areas of law. Callum can be contacted at admin@rjohalloran.net.au

Simone Dutton and Ethan Faulks – Receptionists

Both Simone and Ethan are employed as our receptionists. Simone and Ethan will take your enquiry and direct you to the appropriate solicitor and other staff members of this firm whether it be a real estate transaction, estate or litigious case. Simone and Ethan can be contacted at reception@rjohalloran.net.au and 02 6766 6222.

Robyn Clarke – Bookkeeper

Robyn commenced her employment as a bookkeeper in 2021. Robyn is professional, diligent, and confidential with all financial and bookkeeping matters involving the firm. Robyn can be contacted at robyn@rjohalloran.net.au.

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R.J. O’Halloran

We are here to achieve successful legal outcomes and strive to communicate with our clients in an active and transparent manner.

R.J. O’Halloran & Co is a 4th generational law firm practicing law since 1903. Our firm prides ourselves on integrity and efficiency servicing the north-west region of NSW.

RJ O'Halloran