Our Legal Team
Paula Scott
Partner - 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
Partner
Specialties: Dispute Resolution &Litigation, Wills & 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.
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.
Tayleh Soames
Associate
Specialties: Family Law, Wills and Estates
As part of her criminology studies, Tayleh was required to spend a day observing at Gosford Local Court. She came away from that experience realising that a career in the law was for her. She then transferred to the University of New England where she completed her Bachelor of Laws.
Observing a couple in her family ending their marriage without dispute sparked her interest in family law. Whilst it is not always possible, Tayleh is driven by a desire to help separating families do so with as little angst as possible so that everyone can get on with their lives. If Court proceedings are necessary, Tayleh is a strong advocate for her client’s interests.
Tayleh also has an interest in Wills and Estates.
Tayleh has worked in the legal industry since 2017 and was admitted in 2020. She joined Penmans in 2021 and was promoted to Associate in early 2023. In late 2023 she successfully completed a Masters of Applied Law (majoring in Family Law and Estate Planning).
She practises in Family Law, Wills and Estates.
Tayleh Soames
Associate
Specialties: Family Law, Wills and Estates and Dispute Resolution
As part of her criminology studies, Tayleh was required to spend a day observing at Gosford Local Court. She came away from that experience realising that a career in the law was for her. She then transferred to the University of New England where she completed her Bachelor of Laws.
Observing a couple in her family ending their marriage without dispute sparked her interest in family law. Whilst it is not always possible, Tayleh is driven by a desire to help separating families do so with as little angst as possible so that everyone can get on with their lives. If Court proceedings are necessary, Tayleh is a strong advocate for her client’s interests.
Tayleh also has an interest in Wills and Estates.
Tayleh is currently completing her Masters of Applied Law (double majoring in Family Law and Estate Planning) at the College of Law.
Tayleh has worked in the legal industry since 2017 and was admitted in 2020. She joined Penmans in 2021 and was promoted to Associate in early 2023. She practises in Family Law, Wills and Estates and Dispute Resolution.
Karen Dunk
Licensed Conveyancer
Specialties: Residential and Commercial Conveyancing
Karen has worked as a legal secretary and paralegal in various law firms since 1995 and joined Penmans in 2008. She completed her studies to become a licensed conveyancer through Macquarie University in 2018 and is a pivotal part of our commercial and property team. Karen has a breadth of experience in both commercial and residential conveyancing matters and is particularly skilled in managing large off-the-plan developments.
She works closely with Paula Scott on complex commercial conveyancing matters. Our clients appreciate her attention to detail, efficiency and genuine investment in their matters.
Karen Dunk
Licensed Conveyancer
Specialties: Residential and Commercial Conveyancing
Karen has worked as a legal secretary and paralegal in various law firms since 1995 and joined Penmans in 2008. She completed her studies to become a licensed conveyancer through Macquarie University in 2018 and is a pivotal part of our commercial and property team. Karen has a breadth of experience in both commercial and residential conveyancing matters and is particularly skilled in managing large off-the-plan developments.
She works closely with Paula Scott on complex commercial conveyancing matters. Our clients appreciate her attention to detail, efficiency and genuine investment in their matters.
Kate Robillard
Consultant
Specialties: Family Law
It was Kate’s high school English teacher who recognised her flair for the English language and observed that she would make a great lawyer. He was right.
Graduating from the University of Sydney, Kate joined Penmans in 1986 and became a partner in 1988. Kate initially practised in a wide range of areas, but over the last 30 years or so practised primarily in family law, wills and estates and conveyancing.
In June 2023, Kate retired from the partnership. She continues as a consultant to provide our clients with the benefit of her many years of expertise in family law matters.
Tess Moran
Lawyer
Tess joined Penmans as a Paralegal in 2020 when she was about two thirds of the way through the Legal Professionals Admission Board Diploma in Law. She has worked closely with our partners, particularly Paula Scott, 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.
