How can Illawarians identify the best law firms in Wollongong? Photo: Supplied.
The law is constantly shifting and adjusting as Australia’s social landscape changes. As you try to manage your own affairs, figuring out what is not only legal but also most advantageous and effective for you is as difficult as it is crucial.
When it comes to navigating complex legal matters, working with a top-quality Canberra lawyer is imperative. Whether you need assistance with compensation, conveyancing, or criminal law, silly mistakes and poor advice can result in dire consequences. You need a lawyer that understands the ins and outs of your situation, and ensures you achieve the best possible outcome.
But how do you decide on a law firm in Canberra to engage for legal matters, when there are so many to choose from? You’re weighing up many factors – expertise, transparency, sensitivity, accessibility – so choosing one can feel like a daunting task.
In this article, we’ll share the qualities that differentiate law firms, and list the best law firms in Canberra.
What makes a great law firm?
When dealing with the law and working through legal proceedings, there is absolutely no room for error. Bad advice or the wrong decision from an ill-equipped lawyer can leave you in a pretty nasty situation.
So, what exactly should you look for in a great law firm? Here are a few of the traits we believe all the best law firms in the Canberra region have.
- Experience. The more experience a lawyer has, the more likely they will help you achieve the best possible outcome. Inexperienced lawyers are more prone to making mistakes, especially since they are less familiar with laws and legal proceedings than their longer-practiced colleagues.
- Honesty. There’s no point working with a lawyer that will promise you the world, get your hopes up, and then under deliver. You want a lawyer that will be 100 percent honest with you about your situation, and the realistic outcomes you can achieve.
- Prompt. If it’s legal advice you’re looking for, you don’t want to be waiting weeks on end for your lawyer to get back to you. Keep in mind that lawyers often charge by the hour. The longer they take to get your affairs in order, the more you’ll end up paying.
- Specialist knowledge. If you need help with family law, for example, it can be a wise idea to get help from a lawyer that specialises in that field. Specialist lawyers know their legal area back to front, and may be able to provide advice that generalist lawyers cannot.
- Understanding. During some of the toughest times in our lives, we need legal help. Whether a close family member has passed away, or a marriage has fallen out, when you seek legal assistance, you want a lawyer that understands your struggles, and is sensitive to your emotions.
The best law firms in Wollongong
Region Illawarra’s editorial team has compiled a comprehensive list of the most recommended businesses according to you.
To be listed in our Best in Wollongong series, each business needs to have maintained a minimum average of 4/5 stars on Google and Facebook, and have plenty of positive reviews.
Hanna Lawyers
Wollongong owned and operated Hanna Lawyers is a small firm doing big things for Illawarra locals.
Taking a practical yet personal approach to client care, the team are experts in compensation, property, criminal and sucession law, litigation and more.
Through their partnership with Shellharbour Medical Centre, Hanna Lawyers offers patients free and flexible initial advice from a skilled solicitor over the phone.
"Myself and my family have used Hanna Lawyers for all legal matters for some time now and we highly recommend," says John Dogan on Google.
Nikolovski Lawyers
Servicing from the South Coast to the Southern Highlands from their Wollongong HQ since 1998, Nikolovski Lawyers are skilled across a wide variety of legal fields. They include compensation and family law, property and employment law, supperanuation claims, and immigration law.
"Nikolovski Lawyers throughout my claim weas nothing but a godsend to work with. I am so grateful," Kate Wills says on Google. "Never anything less than professional, dedicated, dependable and hardworking."
Kells Lawyers Wollongong
Kells Lawyers was founded over 50 years ago. The company's diverse Wollongong team specialises in almost every area of law, including but not limited to business and commercial, property, criminal, litigation, employment, compensation, family, environmental law and more.
Known for outstanding professionalism and dedication to their work, Kells Lawyers Wollongong attracts reviews like this one, submitted to their website by M and L.B.
"Excellent in every way; professional, knowledgable, efficient and will get the best outcome. Expertise of the highest calibre."
Gamble Law and Estate Planning
Wollongong and its surrounding areas have been home to Gamble Law and Estate Planning for more than four decades. In that time, the firm has developed a reputation for excellence, built on deep relationships and positive outcomes.
Specialising in wills disputes, will and testamentary trusts, probate, conveyancing, pwoers of attourney and the appointment of enduring guardians, this team is well versed in all areas of will and estate law, and ready to support their clients until they achieve a desirable result.
Morrisons
Morrisons is the only private law firm in the Illawarra, Southern Highlands and South Coast regions to have two solicitors recognised as Accredited Specialists in Criminal Law.
Offering services in both criminal and traffic law, this firm is named after founding partner Graeme Morrison, who has more than four decades of local knowledge and skill.
Morrisons also fosters relationships with a number of community partners, in support of future leaders in the Illawarra and Southern Highlands.
If you’re looking for more information on professional services in Wollongong, you might also like our articles on the best businesses Wollongong has to offer.
Your experience with law firms in Wollongong
Thanks to our commenters who have provided insightful feedback. If you believe we have got it wrong, please let us know.
Do you have experience with any of the Wollongong law listed above? If so, share your feedback in the comments below.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the duties of a lawyer?
Lawyers aren't just called upon for representation in court - their responsibilities actually start way before this point, and include so much more. Lawyers provide you with legal advice for your business or personal affairs, help you manage your assets and make important financial and legal decisions.
Why do I need a lawyer?
Lawyers can provide answers to questions you don't know you had. Depending on your situation, you can find lawyers that specialise in any area you need help with.
Can I engage more than one law firm?
Absolutely. You may be engaged in more than one legal dispute, and need legal advice from specialists. If your law firm doesn't already have a specialist lawyer for your relevant case, it might be worth looking around for somewhere that does.
What are the qualifications of a lawyer?
In Australia, lawyers gain their qualifications by graduation with a Bachelor of Law and completing several years of practical training in the field, and successfully gaining a Practicing Certificate. This ensures that all qualified lawyers not only know the law when they enter the workforce, but also come armed with years of experience before they've even officially served as a lawyer.
How do I choose a law firm that's right for me?
The best way to choose a law firm that suits your needs is to do your research. Look at what previous clients have said about the law firms in Wollongong, and see which ones align closest to your needs.
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