Bryant McKinnon Lawyers

Bryant McKinnon Lawyers is a family law firm based in Coffs Harbour. Partners Benjamin Bryant and Heather McKinnon are both Accredited Family Law Specialists. Heather McKinnon has practised in Coffs Harbour for over three decades.

Benjamin Bryant obtained his law degree from the University of New England in Armidale, graduating with a BA LLB in 2007. He was admitted as a Solicitor by the NSW Supreme Court in 2009 and to the High Court of Australia in 2018. He earned a Masters in Applied Law (Family Law) from the College of Law in 2015 and was accredited as a Family Law Specialist by the Law Society of NSW in 2016. He qualified as an Independent Children’s Lawyer in 2020 and is a Nationally Accredited Mediator and Registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. He is a member of the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia, the Law Society of NSW, and the NSW Law Society Family Law Committee.

The firm provides financial sponsorship and invests time personally to assist local organisations including Coffs Harbour Regional Gallery Friends, Young Actors Studio, Local School Mock Trials & Mediation Programs, Orara Valley Hockey Team, and Coffs Harbour and District Hockey Association. Its main services include divorce and separation, property settlements, children’s matters, negotiation, mediation and agreements, family law court, wills and estates, and residential conveyancing.

Family law, divorce and property settlement work form the core of what clients bring to this Coffs Harbour practice, and reviewers consistently praise the way those matters are handled. Several customers describe the guidance they received as calm, knowledgeable and thorough, with options and next steps explained clearly and revisited until they felt understood. Named solicitor Gemma Rope comes up repeatedly for going above and beyond, particularly in divorce and settlement matters, while Heather McKinnon is singled out for compassionate and intelligent support, including helping a father secure meaningful time with his children after separation.

Ben Bryant, Emily, Kerry and Tracey also feature in accounts that highlight the friendly and supportive nature of the wider team. A detail many reviews return to is the reassurance clients felt during emotionally difficult proceedings, with communication maintained throughout and matters kept focused on the children's interests. Property settlement and conveyancing matters are described as less stressful as a result, and the professionalism of the whole office is noted alongside its personal warmth. Clients repeatedly express gratitude for the outcomes achieved and for feeling safe and protected while their family law matters were resolved.