Catherine Leach - Lawyer
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 is currently undertaking her 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 past president of the BNI Platinum Partners 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.
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.
Fiona Amarasekera - Lawyer
Fiona commenced her legal career in New Zealand and practiced as a Family Lawyer in Hamilton for a number of years. She moved to Australia to commence her Family Law career in Perth at Leach Legal and she practices almost solely in Family Law. Her experience in New Zealand involved numerous children’s matters, including complex issues and she brings a diverse range of experience in this area to Leach Legal.
Tracey Adams - 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.
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.
Michelle Boyle - Legal Secretary
Michelle has extensive experience in Family Law. She answers the telephone and greets our clients and visitors and also provides administrative support for the solicitors and paralegals.
Emilly Butcher - Legal Secretary
Emilly has worked in Family Law and Commercial Law and she provides secretarial support for our Family Law solicitors and paralegals. Emilly also assists in administrative work to ensure the office runs smoothly.
Cassie Roberts - Legal Secretary
Cassie provides secretarial support for Catherine, Elizabeth and Tracey and works in reception and administrative support roles.
Ivy Molina – Office Junior/Outside Clerk
Ivy provides office support for the secretaries and fee earners and attends to settlements and other tasks outside the office.
