Richard is widely recognised as a leading lawyer in New South Wales in contested estate claims, family provision claims and complex estate planning matters.
Richard is named in the Doyle’s Guide from 2015 to 2024 as a Preeminent Wills & Estates Litigation Lawyer – New South Wales and Preeminent Wills, Estates Planning and Succession Planning Lawyer – New South Wales.
He is appointed by the Court as an Administrator or Interim Administrator where there are disputed executorship issues or where there is litigation pending and assets and liabilities need to be administered pending resolution.
Richard’s profile in estate planning and estate disputes is demonstrated by his involvement in the area including:
- A co-author of Succession Law and Practice (NSW) published by LexisNexis, ‘Mason and Handler’
- A co-author of Hutley’s Australian Wills Precedents, 10th edition (with Caroline Sims and with Craig Birtles, now at the Bar and formerly with the firm) published by LexisNexis
- A regular legal education speaker
- An expert witness in litigation involving difficult issues concerning estate matters and practice
- Accredited Specialist in Wills and Estates Law in New South Wales
- Former member (1992 – 2007) and former chair (1999 – 2007), Wills and Estates Advisory Committee, Specialist Accreditation, New South Wales
- Academician, International Academy of Estate and Trust Law
- Member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
- Member, STEP NSW Committee
- Member, STEP Worldwide Committee on Essay Route
- Member of the Probate Users Committee, Supreme Court of New South Wales
- Member of the Elder Law, Succession and Capacity Committee, Law Society of New South Wales
- Affiliate of the Taxation Institute of Australia
Richard’s experience in estate disputes and estate litigation coupled with his detailed knowledge of estate planning law and estate administration law gives him a unique ability to advise clients in planning their estates and in undertaking effective estate litigation.
His experience also extends to partnership and shareholder disputes and advising on partnership agreements and shareholder disputes for public bodies.
He is highly regarded as a skilled communicator in his areas of expertise and an expert in the relevant law, which is evident from the seminars and webinars he presents each year to the legal profession and others.
