Meet our Team of Lawyers
PASSION
EXPERIENCE
DILIGENCE
Mitchell & Co. Lawyers is here to keep you fully informed throughout the court process. It is our aim to always achieve the very best results and strive for client satisfaction. Our dedicated team will ensure you and your family receive the highest quality legal representation.
Our team is culturally diverse and we have a network of translators if required.
Mitchell & Co. Lawyers specialises in all areas of Criminal Law and related proceedings such as Murder and Personal Violence Law, Drug Law, Criminal Asset Recovery Proceedings, prosecution and defence of Apprehended Personal Violence Orders and Apprehend Personal Domestic Violence Orders and all matters related to Traffic Law and driving.
You can trust that our highly experienced and passionate team is here to help and support you every step of the way.
Gerard Mitchell
LLB, BCom
PRINCIPAL
CRIMINAL LAW ACCREDITED SPECIALIST
For over 25 years Gerard has established a reputation for providing expert legal representation and is one of NSW’s most high profile and sought after lawyers. His clients benefit from his vast experience in criminal defence coupled with his extensive knowledge of criminal law and formidable courtroom skills.
Gerard is a driven defence lawyer committed to ensuring that all of his clients are kept informed throughout the legal process and represented with skill and diligence.
In 1998 he was recruited to instruct in one of NSW's largest ever criminal trials (arising out of investigations from the Wood Royal Commission). From this, he was quickly in the Criminal Law spotlight and became identifiable as one of the young emerging Criminal Lawyers of the legal profession at the time. 25 years on, he continues to appear in NSW largest criminal cases and investigations and remains on the cutting edge of testing and creating new law.
Gerard maintains a community commitment, by annually offering his services to lecture school and aspiring legal students during Law Week. When his busy private practice permits, he accepts assignments from Legal Aid NSW as a result of his appointed positions on the Indictable, Appeals and Complex Criminal Law Panels.
Ian Westrip
LLB, GDLP
LAWYER
Ian is an experienced and dedicated criminal defence lawyer focused on achieving the best results for his clients and is integral to the Mitchell & Co. Lawyers’ team.
Ian is able to achieve outstanding results for his clients through careful and methodical preparation with the ability to formulate and apply defence strategies. Ian is an empathetic and compassionate lawyer who focuses on removing the stress of the criminal law process for his clients. Ian’s experience sees him representing clients in a variety of criminal and traffic law cases, including the more serious and complex cases.
Ian is primarily responsible for conduct of matters in the Local Court of NSW; however also appears in serious indictable matters in the District Court of NSW, including appeals, and often assists in matters in the Court of Criminal Appeal. Ian has specialist experience in mental health law and has appeared before the Mental Health Review Tribunal on behalf of patients involuntarily held in hospitals under the Mental Health Act.
Ian has always had a passion for criminal law and mental health law, particularly where these two areas intersect. Originally from rural NSW, Ian has a background in trades but has also spent some time previously working on a psychiatric inpatient unit, which is where he developed a passion for mental health law and advocacy.
Ian holds a Bachelor of Laws from the University of New England, from which he graduated with the New England Award and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the College of Law.
Ian is pursuing both a Master of Laws with and a Master of Forensic Mental Health with the University of New South Wales.
Relishing any opportunity to advance his advocacy skills in court, Ian loves the high-stakes nature that often comes with criminal law and advocacy work. He brings a uniquely pragmatic and real-world approach to his practice, combining legal excellence with a straight-shooting attitude.
In his spare time, Ian is involved in the local community and was a founding member and first president of his local Men’s Shed. As a family man he has also been the President of the School P&C for the last 3 years.
Lauren Mitchell
BUSINESS MANAGER
With over 25 years experience Lauren has a career background in business and marketing. Blending these assets in her role as a Business Manager, has seen Lauren develop into a Master Consultant.
Lauren manages the the day to day operations of the Practice alongside Gerard. Her contributions sees her improving the law office’s correspondence systems, to more effectively communicate within and outside the firm.
With years of business training in coaching in NLP under her belt, Lauren has been a valued speaker at WPPI Convention in Las Vegas and for the NSW AIPP on the principles of great customer care.
Margaret Coyte
LEGAL & ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT CONSULTANT
Margaret is a driven Administrative Assistant with over 20 years experience successfully supporting and managing the caseloads of multiple solicitors. In this space, she has refined her skills in extensive client service and the ins and outs of assisting lawyers with each case. Gerard and Margaret have worked side by side for over 15 years.
Margaret’s skills include adeptly navigating the management of client deadlines, communication among parties, scheduling and document filings in the courts. She is well-versed with trial preparation and adept at assisting with legal research.
Prior to becoming a Legal Executive Assistant, Margaret worked with the Waterside Workers Federation (Federal Office), Australia Post and The Maritime Union of Australia, when the Waterside Workers Federation and Seamen’s Union amalgamated.
Margaret has also worked in the Aged Care Sector, which has given her additional experience in caring and looking after vuneralbe people in the community.
Tegan Skene
PARALEGAL
Tegan is an integral part of the team, bringing years of administration experience to support our Lawyers.
Tegan brings a broad depth of experience in paralegal support to the firm. She is responsible for managing firm archives and files, and overseeing the preparation of firm documentation.
Tegan possesses a great attention to detail and deciphering voluminous material, which underpins and supports the team’s overall goal of reaching the best outcome possible for our clients.
Our team of lawyers are in court everyday fighting to protect our client’s rights, appearing in serious criminal cases in courts all over Australia. We often travel to Regional NSW, Victoria, Queensland, Western Australia and Canberra.
