ABW

Tony Ward established the firm in April 1981 and has worked continuously with the firm from that time. Tony has over 40 years of experience dealing with all of our practise areas. Tony is a Senior Partner of the firm and has practiced extensively in all areas of the law including Police and criminal matters , Family Law, Wills and Estates but now practices primarily in the very important area of Wills and Probate, Estate Administration, Will Challenges and Powers of Attorney. Tony provides guidance from his experience and advice to all members of the Wards team.

Tony is married to Sharon and has four children and an increasing number of grandchildren. Tony went to school at Bairnsdale attending St Mary’s Primary School, Nagle College and finishing at Bairnsdale High School before completing his Law Degree at Monash University in Melbourne. Outside of work Tony very much enjoys the company of his family and friends, golf, bushwalking and holidays.

Tony is very pleased that his daughter Jess has joined the firm with she now practising with great skill and enthusiasm particularly in relation to Criminal Family Law and Court matters as well as general practice.

AJR

Andrew Reynolds has a Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Arts (Hons), Bachelor of Laws and Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice. Andrew joined the Wards team in 1997 and became a partner of the firm in 2005.

Andrew has decades of experience dealing in all practice areas and now works predominantly in the areas of Property Law, Commercial Law and Wills and Estates.

Andrew grew up in Adelaide where he completed his education before relocating to Bairnsdale in 1997.

Andrew is a long serving volunteer in the local community having been involved with both APEX and East Gippsland Institute of TAFE in the past.

Andrew is also a current board member for Gippsland Grammar.

Andrew, his wife and children enjoy boating and bike riding and generally enjoying the local attractions that East Gippsland has to offer.

JBW

Jessica Ward has a Bachelor of Education and Bachelor of Law. Jessica studied her Law Degree while working as a Primary School Teacher. Jessica is a local who grew up in Bairnsdale.

Jessica previously worked with Victoria Legal Aid as a Family Law Lawyer and regularly appeared in the Magistrates’ Court at Bairnsdale, Sale and Latrobe Valley assisting clients with Family Violence Intervention Order matters.

Jessica joined the Wards team in 2019 and became a partner in 2022.

Jessica assists our clients with the following matters:

• Wills and Powers of Attorney;

• Estates and Will Disputes;

• Criminal Law;

• Family Law;

• Family Violence and Personal Safety Intervention Orders;

• General Civil Disputes including matters in the Magistrates’, County and Supreme Courts.

Jessica is thoroughly involved with the Bairnsdale community playing in local sporting teams and being a board member for St Marys Primary School Bairnsdale along with a member of various committees in the area.

TJG

Teneal Gray has a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in Criminology) and a Bachelor of Law (with Honours), together with a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice.

Teneal grew up and attended school in Ballarat, graduating from Deakin University in Geelong in 2011. She commenced with Wards in January 2012 and has been with the firm since then.

She would like to be able to call herself a Gippsland local now – after living in Dargo for 8 years, she recently moved with her husband to Briagolong.

Teneal has benefited from the experience of the Senior Partners of the firm, having been guided and taught by them since the commencement of her career.

Teneal practises in many areas of the law including Family Law (children and property), Wills & Powers of Attorney, Estates, Civil Disputes & Debts, Employment Law and Conveyancing.