Benjamin Shepherd

Legal Officer

Ben, who joined us in late 2009, achieved a bachelors degree in Law and a Diploma from Strathclyde University, Scotland. Ben trained and worked as a solicitor in Scotland for several years before emigrating to Australia and joining Smith Reid. Ben assists Anthony Valentine with wills & probate and commercial litigation matters. Ben speaks intermediate Mandarin and enjoys playing golf and badminton. Ben also practices Shaolin Kung Fu and Thai Boxing in his spare time.

Tyron Wong

Solicitor

Tyron, who was born in China and came to Australia at the age of four, is conversant in Cantonese. His commerce degree included a major in accounting, he is a solicitor and he also assists us in accounting and administration. His interests include business and property law. Tyron enjoys mah-jong, soccer and local and Chinese community events in his spare time.

Jonathan Harms

Solicitor

Jonathan obtained his law degree from the University of Western Australia in the late 1990’s. After some years experience in a prolific Western Australian insurance law firm, he became legal policy officer for IAG Group in NSW (owner of NRMA and CGU Insurance), gaining exposure to various aspects of commercial law. He has worked as a policy and project officer for state and federal governments including on the legislative project to develop a national registration system for health professionals. He attended the Constitutional Convention in 1998 as the personal assistant of Professor Patrick O’Brien. Before joining us he worked as legal policy advisor with Mental Health Carers ARAFMI NSW, the state body supporting and advocating on behalf of carers of people living with mental illness. (Jonathan is continuing to do some volunteer for ARAFMI in his spare time). Jonathan also has an interest in Family and De-facto law and employment law. Jonathan’s hobbies include camping, cycling and bushwalking.

Lauren Thogersen

Solicitor

Lauren has a combined Bachelors degree in Arts, majoring in politics and modern history and Laws from Macquarie University. Prior to and after her admission in February 2009 Lauren worked for a city law firm specialising in litigation and property law. Lauren has a particular interest in Family and De Facto Relationships law as well as associated property adjustments and disputes. Lauren assists Anthony Valentine with litigation matters. Lauren enjoys golf in her spare time.

Chris Frankish

Solicitor

Christopher has an arts degree majoring in classics and philosophy from Sydney University and a bachelors degree in law from University of Western Sydney. Chris has a particular interest in intellectual property and trade mark law. Chris also assists Anthony Valentine in conveyancing, leasing and other property areas. Chris enjoys social cricket and soccer in his spare time.

Anthony Valentine

Principal Solicitor

Anthony graduated from Sydney University Law School in his early twenties, and has practised law since that time, both in small and large firms, then exclusively as a barrister for twelve years at the Sydney Bar in the 80's and 90's. He conducted practice at Tony Valentine & Co. Lawyers since 1998 in Newtown and joined Smith Reid in 2007. Accordingly, Anthony has extensive experience in a wide area of law particularly property (conveyancing, domestic & commercial, as well as leasing), commercial law, litigation (including commercial, equity & deceased estate litigation), wills & probate and criminal law. His experience at the bar makes him a particularly effective Court advocate in "short causes" such as "guilty pleas" and other less lengthy but contentious matters.