I am a barrister and mediator in practice in Sydney. When asked what my areas of practice are I say, “The 4 D’s- death, divorce, debt and dispute solving”. In other words I practice in the area of probate and family provision (contested wills), property and parenting disputes when parties separate, commercial disputes and mediation.My legal career started in Johannesburg South Africa where after graduating from Wits with a BA LLB I did my articles of clerkship at Fluxman Rabinowitz a respected commercial firm. After passing the attorney’s exams, I decided to become a barrister at the Johannesburg Bar (partly because as an articled clerk up themselves barristers made my life difficult- so now it was my time).In 1997 the opportunity arose for me to migrate to Australia. Arriving without qualifications to practice law there, I took a para legal position with a top tier firm. There I gained a useful worms-eye view of legal practice at the big end of town. Once qualified I went to work as a litigation solicitor at a boutique commercial firm in the Sydney CBD. My need for autonomy and the tyranny of timesheets led me back to the Bar. I was under resourced and under connected and after 4 years went back to being a solicitor, until 2010 when I made a second crack at the summit. I have been in my current chambers since then.My legal philosophy has always been to try resolve legal disputes as quickly and cost efficiently as possible. I am mindful that the costs of litigation go beyond the dollar value, but include, stress, uncertainty and time away from client’s core business or interests. I can, however, when circumstances require roll up the sleeves and fight hard for my clients.