COVER - DEGARIS LAWYERS MILESTONE YEAR DeGaris Lawyers, currently the largest regionally based law firm in South Australia, celebrates its principal, Bill DeGaris’ 40 years in practice this year. Bill started the firm in Millicent in 1976 and relocated to Mount Gambier in 1990. “This firm has always concentrated on providing legal services to the Limestone Coast rural community, and with the friendly and helpful team we have, we will continue to promote a welcoming environment for our clients, so they enjoy their experience with us. The fact that we are dealing with third and fourth generation clients is, I believe, testament to the first class service we provide,” Mr DeGaris said. Practice Changes DeGaris Lawyers office has been bustling in recent times with several major changes occurring. The firm has assisted local conveyancer Chris Ivanovic to wind down his practice. Registered Conveyancer Amanda Pascoe and the rest of the conveyancing team have worked hard to ensure a seamless transition of services for previous clients of CA Ivanovic & Co. “We advise all clients who previously kept their titles and security deeds with Chris Ivanovic that we now hold them in our safe at DeGaris Lawyers,” Ms. Pascoe said. Staff numbers at DeGaris Lawyers have also received a boost recently with the return of solicitors Donna Edwards and Heidi Hancock, both resuming after
taking maternity leave. Ms. Hancock started back in January this year and works four days a week practicing in Wills and Estates, Victims of Crime, Commercial, Civil Litigation and Criminal law. Elder Law “I am very much enjoying my work in Wills and Estate Planning and Administration,” said Ms. Hancock. “It is very interesting to hear client’s stories about their families and assisting them to formulate plans to pass on their assets, and business interests to the next generation.” Ms. Hancock’s enthusiasm for this part of the practice combined with a recognition of Australia’s ageing population has led to her commencing a Masters of Applied Law majoring in Wills and Estate Planning through the Australian College of Law in Sydney. “I am presently studying Elder Law which focuses on the wide range of issues which face those people in our community aged 65 years and over,” Ms. Hancock said. “These include arrangements for care and accommodation, social security and retirement benefits, estate planning, protection against elder abuse as well as the more well-known issues of Wills, Powers of Attorney and Advanced Care Directives. Nick Kidman and I are concentrating on upskilling and providing full advisory services in this area.” Firm Principal Bill DeGaris is a strong
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advocate of on-the-job training and continuing education for employees of the practice. “I have always encouraged upskilling and studying as part of my employee’s role,” Mr. DeGaris said. “Heidi and two other staff are continuing studies at present.” Donna Edwards and the Commercial Practice Associate Partner Donna Edwards also returned to the firm last month and is now practicing principally in Commercial and Property Law and Conveyancing. “I’m excited to return to work and look forward to assisting our clients with their commercial and property transactions,” Ms. Edwards said. While Ms. Edwards previously practiced mainly in Criminal Law and Litigation, she is now focused on advising on commercial contracts and leases, sales of businesses and succession planning for businesses. “I enjoy working with Bill to find creative solutions for our clients. This area of the practice is expanding, and I am excited by the prospects of working constructively in the Conveyancing and Commercial sections,” Ms. Edwards said. Nick Kidman practices in Commercial Law and Civil Litigation but also assists in Succession planning, Elder Law and Wills & Estates. “Nick has always been keen to learn and gave up many weeks of his holidays
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while at university to spend time at our office gaining as much experience as possible,” Mr. DeGaris said. “It was this dedication which led to us offering Nick a job as a solicitor upon him being admitted to practice.” New Migration Agent in the Limestone Coast “Madalena Vellotti heads up our family law practice and has also recently become a Migration Agent, and as the only Migration Agent in private practice in the South East, is available to assist clients with migration issues. We are pleased to offer this extra service to our community,” Mr DeGaris said.
The six professional practitioners at DeGaris Lawyers are assisted by a team of seven full-time and two part-time support staff. To make an appointment with DeGaris Lawyers please call (08)8723 1144 or call into our office at 19 Penola Road, Mount Gambier. Above - The DeGaris Lawyers professional team - (back row from left) - Nick Kidman; Amanda Pascoe & Donna Edwards and (front row seated from left) - Madalena Vellotti; Bill DeGaris & Heidi Hancock.