Our Team
Partners
Maxine Andronicos
Partner
Estate Planning, Estate Administration and Probate, Commercial Law, Property Law
Maxine Andronicos is one of the Partners of our firm, having joined Taperell Rutledge Lawyers in 2010. Maxine is determined to achieve the best outcome for her clients. She provides clear, pragmatic advice to guide her clients through the legal system. She is also a skilled negotiator, having trained in negotiation at Harvard Law School.
A Central Coast resident for most of her life, Maxine believes in giving back to the community and acts as honorary solicitor for a number of local community organisations. Areas of expertise:
- Estate planning and succession law
- Property Law
- Conveyancing
- Civil litigation
- Retirement village Law
- Family Law
- Employment Law
- Commercial transactions
Qualifications:
- Master of Laws
- Bachelor of Laws
Memberships:
- Law Society of New South Wales
- Central Coast Law Society
Tennille Ferguson-Brown
Partner
Family Law, Wills and Estate Planning
Tennille is one of the Partners of our firm, and she has practised family law almost exclusively since 2012. She understands that people need family lawyers during the most difficult times of their lives. Because of this awareness, Tennille is passionate about family law and approaches her clients with compassion, empathy and understanding.
Tennille provides her clients with realistic advice, guidance and support to achieve the best possible outcome. The majority of her matters are settled out of court and she has extensive experience in multiple dispute resolution forums, including mediation and arbitration.
Should the need for court action arise, Tennille is a strong advocate who represents her clients with integrity and expertise to achieve the best result for them.
Areas of expertise:
- Family Law
- Civil Litigation
- Wills and Estates
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Arts (History)
- Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
- Masters of Laws (Family Law)
Memberships:
- Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia
- Hunter Valley Family Law Practitioner’s Association
- NSW Law Society
- Central Coast Law Society
- Young Lawyers of NSW
- (Previous) Regional Delegate for NSW Young Lawyers.
Team
Jim Maitland
Consultant Solicitor
Commercial Law, Property Transactions & Dispute Resolution
Jim Maitland holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sydney and commenced his legal career working in a Sydney firm specialising in commercial law, property transactions and liquor law.
Jim joined Taperell Rutledge in 1979 and initially developed the firm’s practice in personal injury law being among the first group of lawyers accredited by The Law Society of New South Wales as a specialist in personal injury law.
While Jim has retained his interest in personal injury law, in the past 20 years the focus of his practice has returned to the areas of commercial law, property law and resolution of disputes.
Jim has also acted for dispossessed owners in relation to some of the more significant land resumptions on the Central Coast including multiple resumptions for the Baker Street Car Park, the resumption of the Broken Bay Headland and resumptions for various road works.
Jim acts for some of the Coast’s largest sporting organisations and his involvement in the life of the Central Coast community includes serving terms as President of the Central Coast Law Society and President of the Gosford City Orchestra. His intimate knowledge of the commercial and cultural history of the Central Coast greatly assists him in his commitment to use his legal skills and experience to protect and promote the interests of his commercial and personal clients.
Areas of expertise:
- Commercial Law
- Property Law
- Conveyancing
- Estate planning
- Dispute Resolution
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Arts
- Bachelor of Laws
Memberships:
- Law Society of New South Wales
- Central Coast Law Society
Derk van Drempt
Accredited Specialist – Family Law – Consultant Solicitor
Family Law
Derk has been a NSW Law Society Accredited Specialist in Family Law since 1993 and is one of the leading family lawyers on the Central Coast. His fame runs further than the Coast, having been repeatedly named in Doyle’s Guide “Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers”.
He has an intimate knowledge of the court system, having joined our firm in 1984 after serving 15 years in the NSW Local Courts as a Registrar, Chamber Magistrate and Coroner.
Derk practises almost exclusively in Family Law, and has an extensive knowledge of all its aspects. In particular, he focuses on property matters involving significant asset pools and those with complex commercial, trust, partnership and company issues.
Derk is a highly skilled negotiator. He aims to resolve Family Law Matters without engaging in costly litigation wherever possible. However, if court action becomes necessary, he is a formidable advocate who protects his clients rights.
Areas of expertise:
- Family Law
Qualifications:
- Diploma of Law (SAB)
Memberships:
- Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia
- Central Coast Law Society
- Law Society of NSW
- Australian Institute of Family Law Arbitrators and Mediators
Rebekah Stevens
Associate
Migration, Employment & Administrative Law
Rebekah joined Taperell Rutledge Lawyers in 2022, bringing with her a wealth of experience in migration, employment and administrative law.
Rebekah’s record of delivering innovative and strategic solutions for complex migration issues speaks for itself. She has an excellent success rate with a wide range of visas and citizenship matters, with a focus on skill shortage visas, family visas, and visa cancellations or refusals before the AAT. Rebekah understands migration issues can be emotional and confronting for people, especially where their situation arises from past traumatic experience. She supports her clients with the utmost discretion, empathy and sensitivity.
Rebekah also has an extensive background in employment and industrial relations law, working with both employers and employees. Before practicing as a lawyer, Rebekah worked at the most senior levels in government policy, developing and enforcing the laws that govern our workplaces today. This experience has also helped Rebekah gain unique insight into government decision-making and administrative law in practice.
Areas of expertise:
- Migration Law
- Employment Law
- Administrative Law
- Civil Litigation
Qualifications:
- Master of Research (Law)
- Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
- Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- Bachelor of Economics
- Graduate Diploma (Industrial Relations)
Memberships:
- Law Society of NSW
- Central Coast Law Society
- Industrial Relations Society of NSW
- Migration Institute of Australia
- Diverse Women in Law
Usha Buchan
Solicitor
Estates, Conveyancing & Commercial Law
Usha has over twenty years experience in the legal industry, and has spent over fourteen of those years with us at Taperell Rutledge. In that time, she has skillfully navigated the transition from secretary to solicitor with grace and tenacity.
Usha has extensive experience in wills and estates disputes, conveyancing and commercial law. Her warm and friendly nature ensures that Usha puts her clients at ease to expertly guide them through their matters.
Usha takes a pragmatic approach to keep legal processes simple for her clients. She is excellent at using straightforward language and aims for a strong commercial result for all her clients.
Areas of expertise:
- Wills and estates
- Conveyancing
- Commercial Law
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Laws
Memberships:
- Central Coast Law Society
- New South Wales Law Society
- Central Coast Young Lawyers
