Ballarat Lawyers

Ballarat Lawyers is a boutique law firm based in Ballarat, servicing clients throughout Victoria. The firm provides services in Family Law, Conveyancing, Property Law, and Wills and Estates. Annette Stone is a founding Partner of Ballarat Lawyers and has been a Family Law Specialist accredited since 2016; she qualified in England and Wales in 2002. Carly Burke is a Partner at Ballarat Lawyers and is a property solicitor with 17 years’ experience.

The conveyancing team operates as Haines Conveyancing Service (HCS). Ballarat Lawyers provides legal services including conveyancing, family law, property law and leasing, and wills and power of attorney.

Personal attention from named solicitors stands out most in feedback about this Ballarat practice, with Carly Burke, Wendy Chennell and Jade Hateley each acknowledged for thorough and dedicated handling of client matters. Reviewers often mention being kept informed as difficult family law disputes progressed, and one account describes a solicitor who outlined every stage of the process and stayed on top of correspondence from the opposing side.

The firm also handles conveyancing, estate planning and real estate matters, although family law and financial settlements dominate the accounts received. A point that comes up often in more critical feedback is slow movement on settlements whose terms had already been agreed, with clients saying they had to follow up repeatedly and that most contact came from their side.

Errors in court documentation and limited engagement during hearings feature in those same accounts, together with frustration about charges for work that later needed fixing. Praise centres on honesty, compassion and a clearly explained plan of action, while the concerns focus on responsiveness and care with detail in litigation. Carly Burke's balanced and professional approach through a stressful case is highlighted by one client, and Wendy Chennell's step-by-step guidance through proceedings is noted as producing a strong outcome.