more from Cath
I provide advice that is practical, easy to understand and factors in “real life” aspects of our day to day lives.
As a hands-on business owner, myself, I understand the real-life nuances of running a business, employing staff, managing risk, and turning a dollar. This allows me to appreciate that the best outcome is not necessarily a one size fits all “traditional style lawyer” approach, but one that is tailored to suit your individual needs.
I believe that a successful “client lawyer” working relationship requires open and honest discussions. For this reason, I provide frank advice. I don’t shy away from difficult conversations. This allows us to work together as a genuine team, with a view towards achieving your ultimate long-term objectives.
Background & Areas of Law
Like many of us in Reidlaw, Cath had a life prior to becoming a lawyer – Cath is a qualified Chartered Accountant, having practised in one of Australia's second tier accounting practices. In doing so, Cath has "rusted on" many commercial skills that she now applies in various legal scenarios.
Cath also operates a number of highly successful hotels in the Newcastle inner city with her husband Stewart – which further adds to Cath's ability to apply commercial sensibilities to a complex legal problem. The term "does it past the pub test?" resonates as an apt description of Cath's abilities to assess commercial activities that our clients at Reidlaw require assistance with.
Cath has recently worked on a number of significant transactions, including a number of international matters: acting for a shareholder in a $400m rollup of a retail operation into a US mothership; advising a Denver-based Australian corporate on the application of the terms of its Aussie Shareholders Deed to the complex laws in the US (working closely with our network of US counterparts); advising on numerous liquor licencing matters; providing advice to a UK client on Foreign Investments Review Board matters; and guiding clients through the Australian Financial Services legislation.
The accounting qualifications that Cath possesses dovetail extremely well with David's background in accounting when it comes to the instructions Reidlaw receives from various accounting practices. We are the lawyers who understand balance sheets and earn-out formulas better than most others. This is particularly the case for Cath, having experienced the period post-completion where earnouts can fall apart and end in tears. Cath works very hard to ensure that any Seller she is acting for is across all of the positives and negatives of the earnout before the Seller signs on the dotted line.
Memberships
Law Society of New South Wales
Newcastle Law Society
Chartered Accountants Australian and New Zealand
Australian Restructuring Insolvency Turnaround Association