Presenters

Beverley Sorrell, Director and Lawyer, Croftbridge
Beverley practices in wills and estate planning, probate and administration of estates, inheritance claims and estate disputes. Beverley also acts on behalf of clients in guardianship and administration matters in the State Administrative Tribunal. Beverley prides herself in providing an exceptional client service and is focused on assisting clients reach a cost effective stress free resolution. Beverley has a special interest in utilising collaborative practice as a form of dispute resolution focusing on the clients’ needs to achieve better outcomes.


Stuart Shepherd, Barrister, Murray Chambers
Stuart Shepherd is an independent barrister. He is an effective trial and appellate advocate with more than 20 years litigation experience. Stuart has worked in Perth and London. As a member of Murray Chambers, Stuart provides considered advice and persuasive advocacy at both trial and appeal in a broad range of practice areas. He has a particular interest in equitable claims. He is a member of the WA Bar Association and the Chancery Bar Association of England and Wales. In addition to his corporate and commercial practice, Stuart also accepts instructions in defamation and probate and family provision claims, disciplinary, property, and some criminal matters including financial crime. Stuart is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Curtin University and previously the University of Western Australia, lecturing in advocacy and civil procedure. He is also a teacher in Curtin University’s Professional Legal Training course. Between 2011, Stuart was the Chairman of the Legal Aid Commission of Western Australia. At various times Stuart has been a member of the Brief Editorial Committee and the legal member of Joondalup Health Campus Human Research Ethics Committee.


Rebecca Thomas, Lawyer, Croftbridge
Rebecca Thomas graduated from the University of Sheffield with a Bachelor of Laws and was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2008. After relocating to Perth in 2013, she was admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2017. Her practice focuses on Wills and estate planning, estate administration (including preparing applications for grants of probate and administration), and contentious trust and estate matters, including bringing and defending family provision claims. In recognition of her expertise, Rebecca was named a Wills, Estates and Succession Planning Law Rising Star in Western Australia by Doyles Guide in 2022, 2023, and 2024. She is currently enrolled in a Master of Applied Law, specialising in estate planning and wills and estates.

Presenters

Beverley Sorrell, Director and Lawyer, Croftbridge
Beverley practices in wills and estate planning, probate and administration of estates, inheritance claims and estate disputes. Beverley also acts on behalf of clients in guardianship and administration matters in the State Administrative Tribunal. Beverley prides herself in providing an exceptional client service and is focused on assisting clients reach a cost effective stress free resolution. Beverley has a special interest in utilising collaborative practice as a form of dispute resolution focusing on the clients’ needs to achieve better outcomes.


Stuart Shepherd, Barrister, Murray Chambers
Stuart Shepherd is an independent barrister. He is an effective trial and appellate advocate with more than 20 years litigation experience. Stuart has worked in Perth and London. As a member of Murray Chambers, Stuart provides considered advice and persuasive advocacy at both trial and appeal in a broad range of practice areas. He has a particular interest in equitable claims. He is a member of the WA Bar Association and the Chancery Bar Association of England and Wales. In addition to his corporate and commercial practice, Stuart also accepts instructions in defamation and probate and family provision claims, disciplinary, property, and some criminal matters including financial crime. Stuart is an Adjunct Professor of Law at Curtin University and previously the University of Western Australia, lecturing in advocacy and civil procedure. He is also a teacher in Curtin University’s Professional Legal Training course. Between 2011, Stuart was the Chairman of the Legal Aid Commission of Western Australia. At various times Stuart has been a member of the Brief Editorial Committee and the legal member of Joondalup Health Campus Human Research Ethics Committee.


Rebecca Thomas, Lawyer, Croftbridge
Rebecca Thomas graduated from the University of Sheffield with a Bachelor of Laws and was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2008. After relocating to Perth in 2013, she was admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2017. Her practice focuses on Wills and estate planning, estate administration (including preparing applications for grants of probate and administration), and contentious trust and estate matters, including bringing and defending family provision claims. In recognition of her expertise, Rebecca was named a Wills, Estates and Succession Planning Law Rising Star in Western Australia by Doyles Guide in 2022, 2023, and 2024. She is currently enrolled in a Master of Applied Law, specialising in estate planning and wills and estates.