de Mestre and Company Solicitors has a skilled and dedicated team of legal advisers and support staff focused on providing high quality services to our clients.
Paul de Mestre
PrincipalMeet Paul de Mestre
Paul de Mestre is the owner and only Principal at de Mestre and Company Solicitors. Paul has 30 years’ litigation experience and has extensive knowledge of matter management, client relations and the development of internal systems for clients. He has strong negotiation and communication skills, and has been a legal advisor to New South Wales Government departments, universities, public and private companies, schools, strata plans, banks, insurance companies and individuals.
Areas of expertise
- Debt recovery
- Litigation and mediation
- Dispute resolution
- Commercial law
- Property law
- Probity advice
Qualifications and memberships
- Bachelor of Laws, University of Sydney
- Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, College of Law
- Member of the NSW Law Society
Bruce Lum
Executive LawyerMeet Bruce Lum
Bruce Lum has more than 17 years of legal experience and is a NSW Law Society accredited specialist in commercial litigation. Bruce has expertise managing large commercial litigation matters, including drafting pleadings and other court documents, drafting statements of evidence and affidavits, inter-parties correspondence, court appearances and alternative dispute resolution. He also has extensive experience in a range of property matters including property sales and purchases (commercial, residential and industrial), leasing (commercial, industrial and retail), franchising (sale and purchase) subdivision and strata subdivision, and property development issues. Bruce has advised on general property issues including stamp duty, GST, easements, positive covenants, restrictions on use and strata issues.
Areas of expertise
- Commercial Litigation
- Contract Law
- Property sales and leasing
- Insolvency
- Finance Recoveries
- Family Law
Qualifications and memberships
- Diploma of Law, Legal Practitioners Admission Board
- Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, College of Law
- Masters of Law, University of Sydney
- Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation
- Member of the NSW Law Society.
Jonathan Papalia
Executive Lawyer & Notary PublicMeet Jonathan Papalia
Jonathan Papalia is a lawyer, a Certified Practicing and Chartered Accountant, and a Chartered Company Secretary. With his special mix of skills and expertise, Jonathan has experience across the spectrum of commercial law including litigation and disputes, acquisitions and divestments, fundraising, governance and compliance advice, contracts and agreements, and real estate transactions. Jonathan is well regarded for his ability to build strong relationships with clients as well as his superior negotiation and communication skills.
Areas of expertise
- Fundraising and managed investment schemes
- Litigation and mediation
- Business structuring, asset protection and succession planning
- Loans and financing
- Investor / Shareholder/unit holder agreements and disputes
- Acquisitions and divestments including real estate transactions
- Development and reviews of company documents such as terms and conditions, employment contracts, and privacy policies
- Tax advice
- Trusts including SMSF and related superannuation advice
- Notarial services.
Qualifications and memberships
- Bachelor of Commerce, University of New South Wales
- Master of Science, University of Technology, Sydney
- Master of Business Administration, University of New South Wales & University of Sydney
- Master of Laws and Legal Practice, University of Technology, Sydney
- Master of Laws, University of Sydney
- Member of the NSW Law Society
- Certified Practicing Accountant (CPA) and Chartered Accountant (CA)
- Associate of Governance Institute of Australia (AGIA) & Institute of Chartered Secretaries & Administrators (ACIS)
- Notary Public in NSW
- Member of the NSW Society of Notaries
- Member of the Australian and New Zealand College of Notaries (MANZCN)
Careers
As our practice continues to grow, we are looking for talented legal professionals to join us. If you are looking for stimulating work, a friendly and supportive work environment, mentoring by experienced legal practitioners and a firm with a strong interest in giving back to the community, please contact Paul de Mestre, Principal on (02) 9233 6233.
