William (Bill) McGookin

Bill commenced his legal career in 1985 as a Law Clerk and was admitted as a solicitor in 1990. He has worked in the areas of conveyancing, criminal / traffic litigation, family law, estate planning, estate administration and debt recovery since 1985 and became a Law Society Accredited Specialist in Family Law in 1997.

Bill is the Managing Partner at CMC and has a philosophy very much focused on helping his clients achieve the best possible outcome that suits their needs and priorities.

Bill is a member of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia, a member of The Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators, a member of the NSW Law Society, a member of the Macarthur Law Society and has been admitted as a Solicitor and Barrister of the High Court of Australia and, as such, is entitled to practise law in any Federal Court in Australia.

Outside of work, Bill is the (volunteer) Chairman of The Right Start Foundation – a local charity that provides much needed assistance and funds to children with Down Syndrome; he is a member of the Rotary Club of Camden – a global charity that helps locals in need as well as those abroad and he enjoys being a part of his local community and everything it has to offer.

Jillaine Duve – Head of Family Law

Jillaine Duve has been a lawyer since 1998 and brings to the firm a wide range of litigation experience.  She served as an Associate to a Supreme Court Judge in North Queensland as a fresh law graduate in 1996, spent 3 years working as a Crown Prosecutor in North Queensland specialising in criminal law and then spent several years living in London where she worked at Clifford Chance, the world’s largest law firm.

Jillaine joined Caldwell Martin Cox as an Associate Solicitor in June 2006 and became a Partner in 2018.  She has practised exclusively as a Family Lawyer for nearly 20 years and regularly appears in the Family Court and the Federal Circuit Court in Parramatta, Wollongong and Sydney.  She completed her national mediation qualifications in 2017 and is a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner.  Jillaine is also a member of AIFLAM (the Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators) and the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia. She is deeply committed to the principles of dispute resolution outside the Court process but, if negotiations aren’t successful, she’s not afraid to use her extensive litigation experience to steer her clients through the Court system to help them achieve the right outcome for them and for their children.

Jillaine worked hard as a founding Director on the Board of the Bendigo Bank Community Bank in Picton to establish it in 2011 and now spends her volunteering hours at her son’s primary school. She is a long time yoga devotee, plays sport and travels as much as she can.

Laura McGookin

Laura McGookin has over 18 years’ experience within the legal profession, with 11 years of those being here at CMC. Laura joined the CMC Partnership in 2020.  She offers a wide range of skills and experience, as well as a refreshing attitude to ensure that the best interests of her clients are protected.  Laura practices in the area of Family law with expertise in parenting disputes, property matters, family dispute resolutions, financial agreements and all areas of family law litigation.  Laura is a strong, determined and competent advocate, regularly appearing at the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.  Laura prides herself on her strong negotiation skills which she uses to obtain the best outcome for her clients, whether that be in the mediation process or settlement discussions at Court.

Laura is a past President of the Macarthur Law Society and has a keen sense of community.  She has previously volunteered at legal advice sessions at both the Macarthur Legal Centre and the Benevolent Society and is a past Board Member of Wollondilly Community Links.

In addition to her legal qualifications, Laura is a qualified Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP). Laura also holds a degree in Social Science, majoring in Criminology and a Masters of Applied Law (Family Law).

Sarah Searle

Sarah Searle has worked in law firms for 30 years, spending most of those years at Caldwell Martin Cox working primarily in the practice areas of Family Law, Estates and Litigation.  She became a Partner on 1 July 2024.

Sarah now principally practices in Family Law and Estates out of a genuine desire to assist her clients navigate through some of the most difficult and challenging periods of their life. Sarah’s realistic and down to earth approach ensures that her clients are well advised as to outcomes and expectations, to enable them to engage with confidence in the legal process, whether that is via negotiation, mediation or in the court system.

Born and raised in Camden, Sarah is extremely proud to be a part of the local community where she has chosen to remain and raise her family. Sarah is a Charter Member and Past President of the Rotary Club of Gregory Hills Next-Gen, is on the Executive of the Macarthur Law Society, a member of South West Networking Group (SWNG) and is a keen supporter of Camden Rugby Union Club. Outside of work Sarah enjoys not cooking, watching sport and spending time with friends and family.

Geoff Lloyd

Based in the Camden office, Geoff Lloyd holds the title of Special Counsel with CMC.  This role is a unique position, recognising lawyers with specialised expertise in an area of law.  He is a ‘go to’ person for other staff, particularly our junior lawyers and law students.  He is a lawyer with exceptional ethics and integrity. 

Geoff is a Law Society Accredited Specialist in Advocacy, which involves appearing in all Courts and Tribunals on behalf of clients. In conjunction with his accreditation, Geoff completed a course with the Australian Advocacy Institute. He has had a strong background in litigation, and has nearly 40 years’ experience as a solicitor.

Geoff has also completed a course in Mediation – resolving disputes without resorting to Litigation – through Bond University. Geoff has broad experience in many areas of the law, including General Civil and Commercial Litigation, Personal Injury, Workers Compensation and Criminal matters in various Courts in New South Wales.

Geoff holds a Masters Degree in Commercial Litigation.

Julie Burton

Julie Burton has been a lawyer since 1996 and holds the title of Special Counsel with CMC.  This role is a unique position, recognising lawyers with specialised expertise in an area of law.  Julie is a ‘go to’ person for other staff, particularly our junior lawyers and law students.  She is a lawyer with exceptional ethics and integrity. 

Julie commenced her legal career in general practice in Liverpool and then spent seventeen years at the NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office working primarily in the areas of tort law and employment law.

Julie brings to the firm a wide range of Litigation experience and has appeared in courts and tribunals at all levels, including the High Court of Australia.

Julie joined Caldwell Martin Cox in February 2018 and now as, Special Counsel, heads our well-regarded Estates Team, which undertakes Estate Planning and Estate Administration work across our 4 office locations.

Julie also provides advice and assistance to clients in employment and industrial law matters. She has successfully completed the AICD’s Company Directors Course.

After working in the City for many years, Julie is very pleased to be back working in her local community and bringing her wide-ranging skills and experience to the people of the Macarthur and Wollondilly regions. Julie is very active in our local community and is currently a Director of the Campbelltown Catholic Club.

Bradley Smith

Bradley commenced working in a legal practice in Campbelltown in 1990 after completing high school at St Gregory’s College. He gained experience as a full-time law clerk whilst attending university at night. Bradley was admitted as a solicitor in NSW in 1997 and remained in the Campbelltown area for a number of years before moving to the Snowy Mountains to establish and run his own law firm over the next 18 years.

Bradley has extensive experience in most areas of law, and in particular property law and conveyancing (including snow leases in Thredbo), business sales and purchases, leasing, estate planning, obtaining Probate and administering deceased estates.

He understands the importance of building relationships in the local community and is pleased to have returned to the Macarthur and Wollondilly regions.

Amrit Mathoda

Amrit Mathoda graduated from the University of Western Sydney with a double degree in Bachelor of Laws/ Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Accounting) and has also obtained his Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice through the College of Law.

Amrit commenced his legal career at a general law firm. During this time Amrit assisted clients in a wide range of matters including property law, commercial law, family law, commercial litigation and criminal law. During this time Amrit acquired a broad understanding of the New South Wales justice system having worked in a variety of Local and District Courts across the Sydney region.

Since joining CMC, Amrit has worked with the Commercial and Property Law team. Amrit assits clients in a wide range of matters including commercial law transactions, business/ property law transactions, leasing and commercial/contractual law disputes.

Amrit is a self-driven, team focused, results-orientated member of CMC whilst always maintaining a clear focus on high quality service and communication.

Katarina Weston

Katarina has been a solicitor for nearly 15 years and is a member of our Property Team, based at the Picton office. She has a great deal of experience in all aspects of property and conveyancing, including the purchase and sale of residential properties, leasing, retirement village agreements and commercial real estate.

Beyond her core focus on property law, Katarina’s legal journey has encompassed other areas, including wills and estate administration, civil litigation, commercial law and care and protection work.  In addition to her law degree, Katarina holds a Bachelor of Business (Management).

Katarina understands that property transactions are not just legal transactions to her clients, they are pivotal moments in their lives. With a keen eye for detail and a commitment to delivering results, she ensures that each client is updated every step of the way and feels supported throughout the entire process achieving the best results for her clients in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible.

In her spare time, Katarina enjoys spending time with her family and friends, travelling, reading and anything encompassing interior design.

David Borg

David began his legal career in early 2018 and is recognised by his clients and peers as a fierce advocate and an excellent strategist.  He has a particular interest in helping clients who have both criminal law and family law issues and has been involved in a number of high-profile criminal law matters in recent years in Sydney.  In the family law jurisdiction, David has been involved in a number of significant property and parenting matters and uses his negotiation and advocacy skills to assist his clients achieve their best outcomes.  David’s success derives from his unrelenting attitude and his commitment to his clients, and he prides himself on the detailed preparation work that he undertakes prior to any Court appearance he is involved in.

Outside of law, David is a committed family man who enjoys cooking and playing the Saxophone .  David is a passionate lawyer and a credit to our team.

Reta Benjamin

Reta has a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Business and Commerce (Marketing) from Western Sydney University, and is admitted as a solicitor with the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

Prior to joining the firm in 2022, Reta worked in a Sydney CBD law firm working on matters in family law and conveyancing. Choosing to focus on Property Law, she joined us at CMC.

Reta is passionate about assisting her clients achieving their objectives and strives to ensure her advice is clear, concise and easy to understand making any complex transaction as simple as it can be.

Bilingual in English and Assyrian, Reta extends her services to incorporate the representation of ethnic minorities throughout her professional and personal life.

Outside of work, Reta volunteers with her church and is the current President of the church committee.

Parsa Sanjana

Parsa joined our Property Team in August 2024 but was admitted as a solicitor in 2020, having begun her career at a criminal law firm in central Sydney.  She has a Bachelor of Justice and Legal Studies from the University of the Sunshine Coast and a Bachelor of Laws from Western Sydney University.

After leaving criminal law, Parsa shifted to a generalist firm to gain experience in different areas of law including civil litigation, property, wills and estates, family law and commercial law. She decided to focus on property law and has been a great addition to the CMC Property Team.  She brings experience in residential and commercial transactions.

Parsa moved her family to the Macarthur region to enjoy a lifestyle away from the city. She is personable, aims to make her clients feel at ease and is keen to help clients achieve their desired outcomes in an effective and efficient manner.   

Outside of work, Parsa enjoys gardening, cooking and reading.

Sarah Dunn

Sarah Dunn joined the firm whilst completing a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Communications (Social & Political Science) at the University of Technology Sydney. She then completed a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice through the College of Law and was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW. She has also completed a Master of Laws from the University of Sydney.

Sarah works in our Estates team and has been involved in various matters within Estate Planning and Administration. Sarah prides herself on rising to the challenge to complete difficult matters and achieve the best possible outcome for clients. Sarah understands the emotional nature of Estates work and strives to meet every client’s needs throughout this difficult time.

Sarah lives within the Macarthur area and is keen to serve the local community. Outside of work, Sarah enjoys spending time with her family, friends and two cats, as well as travelling the world.

Olivia Dowling

Olivia joined the CMC Estates Team in July 2023 and is currently in her penultimate year of a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts majoring in Politics and Journalism at the University of Notre Dame. She graduated as School Captain in 2020 from St Benedict’s Catholic College and has always been a part of the Macarthur community, including through volunteer work at her local church in Oran Park. In 2024, Olivia was admitted as a Justice of the Peace.

After working for several years as a retail assistant, Olivia has brought her excellent customer service skills to our Estates Team as she strives to treat every client with empathy and compassion. Olivia is an extremely organised worker who has great attention to detail and aims to provide a smooth experience to our clients as they navigate complex legal matters. During what can be quite difficult periods in their lives, Olivia shows sensitivity to our clients as she helps them achieve their legal goals.

Outside of work, Olivia is an avid reader, loves attending reformer pilates classes and spending time with her family and two dogs, Henry and Charlie.

Chelsea Perriman

Chelsea graduated from St Patrick’s College, Campbelltown in 2022 and is currently studying a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Social Science double degree, majoring in Criminology at Western Sydney University.

Chelsea joined CMC in June 2023 as a Paralegal working in the Estates Team. Chelsea feels strongly about gaining hands-on experience within a law firm to increase her understanding of the practical aspects of being a lawyer, whilst continuing to learn the theoretical content of the law at university.

Chelsea is caring, empathetic, and attentive. She understands the importance of maintaining client communication during what is often an emotional journey for clients when dealing with the loss of a loved one. As such, she makes it her mission to integrate care and compassion into the work she produces.

Chelsea grew up in the Macarthur area and has been involved in the community for many years, including as a volunteer at the Camden Mother’s Day Classic and the Zonta Club of Macarthur. She was also recently appointed as a Justice of the Peace.

Outside of work, Chelsea enjoys spending time with her family, including her dog Roger, going to the gym and listening to true crime podcasts.