Catherine Leach - Director
Catherine Leach commenced working full-time as an Articled Law Clerk in 1989 and studied law part-time. She has worked in law firms in Bunbury, Perth and California working mainly in the area of Family Law. Catherine also practices Collaborative Law.
She was admitted to practice as a Barrister and Solicitor in March 1996 and has worked in Family Law since that time.
Catherine has completed a Masters in Applied Law (Family Law). She has also trained and qualified as an Alternate Dispute Resolution Practitioner and conducted numerous Alternate Dispute Resolution conferences for Legal Aid, as well as completing training in collaborative law. Catherine is an active member and vice president of the Collaborative Law Professionals of WA and a member of the Family Law Practitioners Association and the Law Society of WA
Catherine practices almost solely in the area of Family Law.
Elizabeth O'Sullivan - Lawyer
Elizabeth O'Sullivan worked full-time as an Articled Clerk and studied law part-time and was admitted to practice in 1994.
Elizabeth practices in the areas of Commercial Law, particularly Property Law, Business Law and Wills and Probate.
Elizabeth was a former partner in a boutique commercial firm in St Georges Terrace.
Elizabeth now practices as Leach Legal's Commercial and Estate Lawyer.
Celeste Saxon - Lawyer
Celeste graduated from Murdoch University in 1999, after having completed a year at the University of London as a law student, studying externally. Celeste also worked part-time at a Citizens Advice Bureau in London for 2 years.
Celeste spent two years doing her articles with DCH Legal Group so as to allow her to juggle a legal career with the need to care for two young children. Celeste was admitted to the Supreme Court in 2001.
Celeste also holds a Diploma in Personnel Management, received in 1992 from the West Australian Department of Training.
She practices Collaborative Law and she is part of the Collaborative Law Pod that meets regularly in Perth.
Samantha Baily - Lawyer
Samantha graduated from the University of New England in 2002 with a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Political Science, and a Bachelor of Laws, she was admitted to practice in 2003 in NSW. Samantha has practised in Rural NSW working in the areas of Criminal Law and Family Law. Following spending a year in Africa undertaking volunteer work for a Not for Profit organisation and travelling, she moved to Perth almost five years ago and has since practised exclusively in Family Law.
Samantha is an accreditated LEADR mediator and has a passion for helping people settle their disputes amicably to avoid Court proceedings, however when Court proceedings are required, Samantha is very experienced in appearing on behalf of clients at all stages of disputes in the Family Court in a range of matters.
Samantha now practices almost solely in the area of Family Law.
John Cope - Lawyer
John Cope commenced practice as a Family Lawyer in Perth in 2004 having previously practised in the UK since 1997.
He has worked in London and Cardiff before moving to Perth. He was admitted to the Bar in the UK in 1997 and practised as a Barrister dealing mainly with family law matters. John is an accredited mediator having successfully completed the LEADR course and has undertaken numerous Alternative Dispute Resolution conferences. John is a member of the Family Law Practitioners Association and the Law Society of Western Australia and also remains a member of The Honourable Society of the Middle Temple.
In his spare time John is an avid golfer and gym junkie and was a professional tennis umpire for 6 years in the 1990's.
Katherine Weston - Lawyer
Katherine graduated from UWA with a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science and a Bachelor of Laws with Second Class Honours.
Katherine was admitted to practice in 2007. She completed her articles and part of her restricted practice in country Western Australia which provided her with experience in a variety of areas of law.
Katherine joined Leach Legal in July 2008 and practices almost solely in Family Law.
Amanda Patterson - Lawyer
Amanda completed her articles in a commercial firm and has a strong background in litigation and commercial law. She now practices almost solely in Family Law but has found her commercial experience invaluable for property settlements. Amanda has lived in Japan and Canada and has a wide variety of work experience.
Sally Savini - Lawyer
Sally has a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) and graduated with a Bachelor of Law (Honours). She worked for two years as Supreme Court Judge’s Associate before working for the Department for Child Protection, Aboriginal Legal Service and in private practise. She has experience in complex children’s matters and property settlements. She is fluent in Italian.
Fiona Baker-Young - Paralegal
Fiona is our ParaLegal who has worked almost solely in Family Law for over 15 years. Although not a lawyer, she has extensive experience in all aspects of Family Law and she provides legal support to Catherine.
Tracey Vermaak - Office Manager/Licensed Settlement Agent
Tracey has worked in law firms for over 10 years and joined Leach Legal in 2006. She conducts real property settlements and assists with the business settlements. Tracey manages the office and staff and is involved in networking and marketing.
Cassey Roberts - Office Administrator
Cassie started at Leach Legal as an Office Junior and receptionist. She now works as our Office Administrator and assists in settlements, administration and Family law support.
Emma Butler - Legal Secretary
Emma has extensive legal experience having worked in the United Kingdom, New Zealand and now Australia. She provides administrative support for the solicitors and fee earners.
Elizabeth Nolan - Legal Secretary
Lizzie graduated with a degree in Commerce (Legal Studies) and has worked full time in an international law firm in Perth. She has worked in a variety of fields and she provides administrative support for the solicitors and fee earners.
Alison Ariana - Legal Secretary
Alison is an experienced legal secretary in a variety of fields of law. She provides administrative support for the solicitors and fee earners.
Lisa Hasson - Legal Secretary
Lisa has broad experience as both a legal secretary and office manager and has worked in a variety of areas of law. She provides administrative support for Catherine and Elizabeth.
Anna-Rose Shack – Receptionist
Anna-Rose meets and greets our clients at reception and answers incoming phone calls and assists with office administration.
Kirsten Yates – Typist/Accounts
Kirsten is our night typist and also undertakes our billing, account queries and deals with our trust statements. She has previous experience in legal firms. She also assists with general office administration.
Isabella Versace – Office Junior
Isablella looks after the outside work for the firm, handling settlements, filing of Court documents and other office errands. She has past experience in administration and customer support.
