by SA Woman Member | Dec 20, 2025 | Meet a Member, SA Woman
Melanie commenced her career with a national firm in 2003, with a focus on general litigation and debt recovery.
In a career that has spanned well over 15 years, Melanie has worked in Adelaide, Melbourne and Brisbane. Her move from Melbourne to Brisbane saw her take the lead to set up and grow a new office. During her time in Melbourne and Brisbane she also made some fantastic connections that she continues today.
Moving back to Adelaide in 2008, she worked for a well-regarded Adelaide firm, becoming a partner there in 2012. She later took on a role with another reputable Adelaide firm as Special Counsel.
by SA Woman Member | Nov 2, 2025 | Meet a Member, SA Woman
Alice founded Soar Legal in June 2023. She prides herself on developing genuine relationships with clients and referral partners.
Prior to Soar Legal, Alice worked as a commercial lawyer since 2016 for a Southern Adelaide-based law firm through the leadership of the late Daniel Roach.
Alice believes in the importance of community involvement and served on the Board of the Southern United Netball Association for 8 years and is currently on the Board of the Rotary Club of Seaford.
by SA Woman Member | Jun 9, 2025 | Meet a Member, SA Woman
Since starting my career at a small firm in 2001, I have practised in a number of areas, including wills and estates, family law, commercial law, and tax law.
I now specialise in wills and estates and help with practical advice about estate planning, simple and complex wills, enduring powers of attorney, and advance care directives. And when things go wrong, she likes to assist with estate disputes – including making or defending claims against the will or challenging the will itself.
With a particular focus on making the estate administration process as straightforward as possible,I am here to help with grants of probate, and letters of administration.
I joined Johnston Withers in 2022 after heading up one of SA’s largest wills and estates teams for over 10 years. I am a northern suburbs local and have always worked in the Salisbury area and continue to work at Johnston Withers’ Adelaide and Salisbury offices.
I am a longstanding member of the Law Society of South Australia’s Succession and Elder Law Committee as well as the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners’ SA Branch.
I have an academic background in engineering and law, and bring a uniquely analytical perspective to the team and I use this to find innovative solutions.
I understand that wills and estates can be a sensitive matter, and I pride myself on providing empathetic, practical advice to my clients in a timely manner.
Outside of the law I am married with two teenagers who keep my hands full but still find time to squeeze in an early morning F45 session. I also enjoy spending time with family on our 21 acre property in the northern suburbs.
by SA Woman Member | Oct 3, 2024 | Meet a Member, SA Woman
I’m Fiona Shilton
Your Estate Lawyer
A big-hearted, straight-talking, avoider of avoidable problems.
I have over 17 years experience working in litigation, family, and estate law in Adelaide and The Adelaide Hills. A graduate of Adelaide University I am a keen hiker, mum of five, wife of one, and convinced I’ll talk myself to death one day.
In September 2022 I was awarded the SA Woman Emerging Woman In Business Award in recognition of my passion for changing the face of estate planning and creating a business that supports my wider community.
Whether you want to write a will that takes care of your family or you’re in the process of managing a deceased estate, at Your Estate Lawyer we’re on a mission to…
⭐ Set families up to succeed (not fail or fight)
⭐ Help will makers use their will as a reward (not a weapon)
⭐ Support executors with kindness, compassion, and care (not leave them to flounder)
⭐ Death is a once in a life time experience that’s worth getting right.
You deserve someone on your team who can ask hard questions, help you navigate ever changing legal requirements, avoid avoidable problems, and communicate what’s in your head and your heart in a way that will look after your wishes and your family.
by SA Woman Member | Dec 29, 2023 | Meet a Member, SA Woman
I’m a country girl at heart, that loves being at the beach to relax and recharge, but also enjoys living in the big smoke.
I completed high school in 2000 and in 2001 I started working for a Conveyancer in the Barossa Valley. I quickly learnt that this industry was my passion and in 2004 I decided to study part time while working full time, to get my qualifications to become a Registered Conveyancer. In 2008 I became fully qualified and then moved to the city the following year to further grow my skills and to move in with my partner. Moving to the city was very eye-opening and it allowed me to grow and learn a lot! After a small stint as a Front Office Manager for a brand new 4 star hotel, I eventually decided to start up my own business in 2015 and I have not looked back!!
In 2018 I married my best friend and then in 2020 as the COVID pandemic hit, we welcomed our little girl to the world. The struggle of juggling work life and motherhood became very real and extremely challenging, but slowly each day that goes past I feel I am getting the hang of it a little more.
Away from work and being a mum, I love being at the beach, I love hearing the sound of the waves and smelling that fresh salty air! Within minutes I can feel it starting to relax and recharge me. I also love motor sport, in particular watching the F1’s and hubby loves getting me involved in watching cricket and footy – I pretend I really don’t like it, but secretly it isn’t really that bad! I also love hanging out with close friends, enjoying great food and maybe a margarita or 2! Music is also my escape and dancing, but I am cautious on the D-Floor after breaking my foot dancing to “500 miles” in 2022 – so these days it is mainly done in my lounge room!
Overall, I am a pretty fun loving, easy going and down to earth girl who loves to have a chat and a laugh and to help educate others on all areas of conveyancing.
