Kennedy & Cooke have been established since 1974 when our first office was opened in Milton. Kennedy & Cooke now has five offices along the south coast of New South Wales, Australia from Sussex Inlet in the north to Merimbula in the south.
Each office has between one and four solicitors. Each partner has from 13 to in excess of 25 years local experience. Having the largest number of lawyers for any legal firm on the south coast provides a vast array of expertise and experience which is unmatched on the south coast.
All of our lawyers live in or near to the towns in which they practice.
, Partner - Merimbula Office
John became a Solicitor in 1976. John has worked as a lawyer in our Merimbula office since 1977.
John is a commercial partner in our Merimbula office. His practice is primarily in the areas of Purchase and Sale of Real Estate; Purchase and Sale of Businesses; Commercial Leases; Preparation of Wills, Powers of Attorney and Appointments of Enduring Guardian; Deceased Estates; Partnership and Contract Law.
John has a detailed knowledge of Trusts, including the preparation and amendment of Deeds for Family Trusts, Testamentary Trusts and Trusts for commercial applications.
John provides expert advice for business succession and estate planning.
John sees his role as a local Solicitor in being able to provide clients with prompt and practical advice, in a cost effective manner.
, Partner - Ulladulla Ofice 
Peter became a Solicitor in 1976. He commenced working as a lawyer in our Milton office in 1976 and was one of the founding partners of Kennedy & Cooke. In 1979 he moved our office to Ulladulla.
Peter concentrates on commercial work including Leases, sales and purchases of business and associated real estate conveyancing, employment contracts and Unfair Dismissal claims.
Peter also has experience in Court Litigation, Insurance claims, Family Law, Family Provision claims and Deceased Estate claims.
Peter regularly prepares Wills, Powers of Attorney and Appointments of Enduring Guardian.
He also acts for Deceased Estates and advises on Testamentary Trusts, Estate Planning and Retirement Village Law.
Peter has been involved with commercial fishermen for more than 20 years, having acted for operators and companies based all over Australia and in New Zealand. He has advised clients on the purchase and sale of fishing vessels, quota and fishing entitlements together with finance and insurance issues unique to the fishing industry. He has conducted Court actions at all Court levels including the Administrative Appeals Tribunal and the High Court of Australia on behalf of fishermen and industry associations.
Peter and his wife Charlene are heavily involved in local sporting clubs. Peter is currently President of the Ulladulla United Cricket Club and Charlene is Secretary of the Ulladulla Jets Hockey Club. Charlene is also involved in the interior design business knows as South Coast Living.
, Partner - Narooma Office 
Tom became a Solicitor in 1977 and has worked as a lawyer in our Narooma office since 1978.
A large part of his practice comprises work in the areas of Conveyancing, Property Law and Business Law. Tom is very experienced in the work required for sale and purchase of land and houses, preparation of Commercial Leases and the purchase and sale of businesses.
Throughout his career Tom has regularly carried out work in the area of Wills and Estates Law. He has very strong working knowledge of the preparation of Wills, administration of Deceased Estates and preparation of Powers of Attorney and Appointments of Enduring Guardian.
Tom also has a great deal of experience in Litigation including Family Law and other Court matters.
As a long term resident of Narooma he has a wealth of local knowledge and can provide practical solutions for your legal needs.
Tom frequently represents clients in Narooma Local Court.
, Partner - Sussex Inlet and Ulladulla Office 
Dianne became a Solicitor in 1987 and has worked as a lawyer in our Ulladulla and Sussex Inlet offices since 1992.
Dianne is now the partner responsible for our Sussex Inlet office and spends most of her working time there.
Before coming to work for Kennedy & Cooke Dianne was employed with major Sydney firms specialising in Property Law and Liquor Licensing.
Dianne now specialises in Property Law dealing with both residential and commercial real estate together with business transactions and commercial leases.
Wills and Deceased Estate law also feature largely in her day to day work. She is also able to provide general advice in most legal areas.
Dianne is well known in the Ulladulla and Sussex Inlet areas for her friendly and efficient manner and her sound practical advice. You can hear Dianne talk with with Murray Peters on Radio 2ST every Tuesday morning at 10.50am on the informative "Tuesday Legal Chat".
, Partner - Merimbula Office 
Mark became a Solicitor in 1993 and has worked as a lawyer in our Merimbula office since then.
Mark has a great deal of experience in Family Law. He is experienced in Alternate Dispute Resolution as well as the conduct of Family Law Litigation including matters of property division, responsibility for children, spousal maintenance and divorce.
Mark is a very experienced advocate regularly attending Bega Local Court, Bega District Court and Eden Local Court in matters of Criminal Law and Civil Litigation.
Mark has a comprehensive knowledge of summary and indictable offences as well as sentencing procedures.
Mark also has a great deal of experience in the conduct of Employment Law claims.
Mark’s work includes Conveyancing for residential, commercial and rural properties together with the preparation of Leases and sub-divisions.
Mark also regularly prepares Wills, Powers of Attorney and appointments of Enduring Guardian.
, Partner - Batemans Bay Office
Geoffrey has been a solicitor since 1994 and has worked as a lawyer in our Batemans Bay office since 1997.
Geoffrey is an experienced advocate who appears regularly in the Local Court in Batemans Bay and Moruya, in the District Court, both civil and criminal in Batemans Bay, Bega and Nowra.
Geoffrey practises in a wide area of Commercial Law, including sale and purchase of businesses, preparation of Leases, Residential and Commercial Conveyancing and preparation of Options.
Geoffrey can also provide assistance with preparation of Wills, Powers of Attorney and Enduring Guardianships and the administration of estates.
Geoffrey has links to local sports groups and volunteers his time to assist them and serves on the South Coast Rugby Union Judiciary.
Paul Thompson,
Partner - Merimbula Office
Paul commenced work in our Merimbula office in 2006 and completed his professional training to become a solicitor later that year.
Paul’s areas of practice include Family law, Criminal Law, Debt Collection and Building Cases. He regularly appears for clients in Bega Local Court, Eden Local Court and Bega District Court.
Paul has lived in the Bega Valley since 1996 and has recently completed building his own house - a project that he largely carried out by his own work.
Paul enjoys surfing, swimming and spending time with young family.
