Our lawyers
Paula Roberts
Lawyer - Director -
Accredited Specialist
(Property Law)
Notary Public
Specialties: Commercial, Property and Business Law
If you ask Paula what attracted her to a career in the law she will tell you it’s because every day she gets to work with her two favourite things in life, words and people. She considers it a very great privilege to work alongside the current generation of families that Penmans have been serving for generations.
Paula has been hanging around law firms since she left school, commencing the gruelling Legal Practitioners Admission Board Diploma in Law when she was in her mid-twenties. After more than 10 years working as a legal secretary she then spent 5 years as a paralegal in the banking and finance team in one of Sydney’s oldest law firms. Paula joined Penmans shortly before she was admitted in 2009. Continuing the ‘Penmans’ way’ of offering early partnership to the right people, Paula became a partner in 2012.
She has practised in various areas including litigation and advocacy but ultimately found her niche working alongside the now retired Chris Elder and Philip Stroud in property, commercial and business law, which now comprises over 90% of her practice.
Paula believes that legal documents should be drafted using plain language that is easy to understand. She also loves the long-term relationships that partnering with commercial and business clients brings.
Never one to shy away from a challenge, Paula successfully undertook the Law Society of NSW Specialist Accreditation process in 2023.
Specialist Accreditation is a structured peer to peer assessment process enabling legal practitioners to be recognised for their expertise. To be accredited, lawyers wishing to become accredited specialists must pass a series of meticulous assessments on both legal knowledge and its application in practice. To retain their accreditation specialists must undertake significant additional professional development in their area of expertise each year.
Paula is the current President of the Central Coast Regional Law Society.
Bailey Dunleavy
Lawyer - Director
Specialties: Dispute Resolution, Litigation, Wills and Estates
Bailey was searching for a career path when she enrolled in a Bachelor of Arts. Whilst studying contracts and negligence as part of a business law subject she realised that she had found her future profession. She transferred to the University of Western Sydney studying a combined Social Science and Law degree. Bailey is currently studying towards a Masters in Commercial Litigation. A committed and focused advocate, Bailey’s business clients benefit from her expertise in dealing with a wide range of contractual disputes.
A high achieving student, on graduating Bailey was awarded the Dean’s medal. She joined Penmans while completing the College of Law in 2014 and it was quickly apparent that Penmans had found its next lawyer. Bailey was admitted as a solicitor in 2015. Impressing the then-partners with her legal ability, tenacity and commitment to her clients, Bailey was invited into the partnership five years after her admission.
She has practised in a variety of areas but now leads our Wills and Estates and Dispute Resolution teams. Her litigation practice includes Will disputes and Civil and Commercial litigation matters. Bailey can also assist with estate planning documents including Wills and Testamentary Trusts and also assists clients with commercial transactions.
Kayla Johnstone
Senior Lawyer
Specialties: Commercial, Property and Business Law
Kayla was drawn to a career in the law by her love of reading and passion for helping others. She commenced studying a Bachelor of Laws/Communication at the University of Sydney straight from high school. Her years in university cemented her desire to practice law.
During her years at university, Kayla worked for a suburban family run law firm, gaining experience in various areas including property, commercial and business, family law, litigation and wills and estates.
Following her admission as a lawyer in 2017, she found her niche in business and commercial transactions (including leasing) and property law (including conveyancing).
Now a proud Coastie, Kayla joined Penmans in July 2024. As a lawyer in our busy and respected commercial and property team, she looks forward to helping clients navigate their conveyancing, business and commercial transactions with her solid experience and clear and effective communication style.
Tess Moran
Lawyer
Specialties: Wills and Estates
Tess joined Penmans as a Paralegal in 2020 when she was about two thirds of the way through the Legal Profession Admission Board Diploma in Law. She has worked closely with our partners, particularly Paula Roberts, since that time on a variety of matters.
Tess was admitted as a lawyer in November 2023.
Tess has a particular interest in wills and estates and dispute resolution but looks forward to working in all of Penmans’ practice areas while she finds her niche over the next couple of years.
During her years at university, Kayla worked for a suburban family run law firm, gaining experience in various areas including property, commercial and business, family law, litigation and wills and estates.
Following her admission as a lawyer in 2017, she found her niche in business and commercial transactions (including leasing) and property law (including conveyancing).
