OUR TEAM

TILLY RYAN

Tilly has a friendly and approachable manner that immediately puts her clients at ease. She is empathetic in her nature and helps her clients work through complex emotions to get to the real issues. Tilly is a strong advocate who will fight for her clients best interests because she wants to achieve the best possible outcomes for them. Tilly is an avid listener with an ability to quickly grasp the issues and consider the options available for her clients. She is committed to helping her clients see past the emotion of their situation to find out what really is the issue and what their goals are in the short and long term. Her insight and compassion helps her empower her clients to move through each stage of their personal issue and navigate the often overwhelming requirements of the legal system. She has a huge heart and genuinely cares about her clients’ wellbeing. She is determined to ‘better’ the practice of family law.

Tilly was admitted to practice as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2007 and since this time she has worked tirelessly to support and help people through life changing situations. Tilly has a commitment to social justice and has worked across the legal and charity sectors, including as CEO of Melanoma Patients Australia and as a volunteer Director of the Asbestosis and Mesothelioma Association of Australia. Through these roles Tilly has travelled extensively throughout metropolitan and regional Australia and has seen first hand the impact living remotely can have on people’s ability to access quality, reliable and affordable services in their local communities.

She is the proud mother of three beautiful children who she raises with her husband, Sean, in the Gold Coast Hinterland. Tilly enjoys spending time with her parents at their farm in the Somerset Valley and taking family holidays in the Northern Rivers and NSW North Coast. She can also be found indulging her passion for improving youth literacy and promoting creative arts through her various roles volunteering with Somerset Storyfest. Tilly is an avid supporter of creative arts and enjoys visiting and supporting regional and community art galleries and programs.

Director

RACHEL ROWLANDS

DIRECTOR

Rachel has worked exclusively in family law since her admission in 2011, bringing over a decade of experience. She has worked in both top-tier and boutique law firms. Rachel holds a Bachelor of Laws and International Business from Griffith University and is admitted as a solicitor to both the High Court of Australia and the Supreme Court of Queensland. Rachel has extensive experience in a wide range of family law matters, including high net worth financial matters, complex parenting disputes (including high conflict and relocation matters), and child support. She also has significant experience representing clients in relation to domestic violence matters and child protection.

Rachel is a warm and compassionate family lawyer who pairs genuine care with unwavering strength. As a strong advocate for her clients, Rachel understands the complexities involved in family law disputes and approaches each case with sensitivity and a focus on achieving the best possible resolution for her clients.

At SR Family Law, Rachel leads with a people-first philosophy, understanding that every matter is deeply personal and deserves both empathy and clarity. Known for her resolution-focused approach, Rachel’s determined mindset allows her to manage highly sensitive and complex disputes while keeping clients informed, empowered, and supported throughout the process.

Outside the office, Rachel is a busy mother of four, often found on the sidelines of a sports field or in the audience of a dance competition; balancing family life with the same dedication, focus, and child-centred perspective she brings to her work every day.

Memberships

Queensland Law Society
Gold Coast District Law Association
Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia
Family Law Practitioners Association

LISA MIDDLETON

As your lawyer Lisa will bring to your matter a deep insight into people and business. This insight has developed through her life and business experiences. Lisa brings to her work a unique empathy with and understanding of, client needs, with a focus on finding a resolution without resorting to litigation. She is passionate about family law, and the opportunity this presents, for her to advise and support her clients through their family law issue in a way that empowers them to achieve a timely outcome. Lisa was admitted to practice as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2020 and has focused on her passion for family law since then, volunteering in Community Legal and then working on the Gold Coast.

Lisa has seen the trauma faced by young women in jail, she attained an Honours degree in Criminology and Criminal Justice and her thesis on dealing with trauma in teenage girls in custody was published in The Prison Journal in 2019, this knowledge informs her work in family law. Fluent in French and Italian, prior to coming to the Law, Lisa worked as a legal translator for a law firm in Florence, Italy, and spent many years running her own café and catering businesses in Byron Bay, NSW. These experiences have given Lisa a different perspective through which she engages with people and places, drawing on her understanding of differences in languages and culture.

Lisa is however not all about work, married with two children, life outside the office is busy and Lisa enjoys literature, Japanese cuisine and not surprisingly Italian cuisine, gardening, yoga, and martial arts.

SENIOR ASSOCIATE

Tyler Gerbing

SOLICITOR

Tyler values honesty, approaching every situation with an open mind and efficiency to deliver the best outcomes for clients. He has exceptional communication and problem-solving skills which makes him an excellent advocate for our clients.

Tyler completed his Bachelor of Business/Bachelor of Law in July 2022 and finalised his Diploma in Practical Legal Training in October 2023. Our SR Family Law Director, Tilly Ryan, was proud to move Tyler’s admission to the Queensland Supreme Court to practice as a family lawyer in August 2024.

Outside of work, Tyler enjoys sharpening his jiu-jitsu skills at weekly training sessions. He loves watching AFL games with his brother and father and exploring the beautiful Gold Coast hinterland with friends. Tyler is always up for a game of chess if anyone is interested.

LATEESHA BELL

PARALEGAL

With over 15 years of experience in Family Law, Lateesha is a valuable and trusted member of our team. Known for her professionalism, compassion, calm presence and attention to detail, she provides steady support to clients during some of life’s most challenging times.

Lateesha began her career in Brisbane before relocating to the Gold Coast, where she has continued to build her expertise. She works closely with our lawyers to ensure every matter is handled with care, precision, and empathy.

Outside the office, she enjoys spending time with her husband and two daughters, travelling, relaxing at the beach, and catching up with friends.

AMANDA HARRISON

ACCOUNTS MANAGER

Amanda brings over ten years’ experience working in the legal industry starting in administrative and secretarial roles and culminating in the last five years’ supporting legal firms, such as SR Family Law to effectively manage the firms accounts and financial records. Amanda is committed to assisting clients with all financial aspects of their family law matter and ensuring a smooth process for clients and lawyers alike.

Amanda’s experience is backed by nationally recognised qualifications in Financial Services, Business and Operations, which means Amanda brings a strong understanding of working within legal accounts and administration to her role as Accounts Manager at SR Family Law.

Outside of work Amanda likes spending time with her family, friends & dog, she enjoys the coastal dining scene and going for walks in nature.

Carmen De Bruin

Practice manager

Carmen is driven by a genuine passion for people, ensuring that every client who walks through the doors of The Meeting Place @ HQ or calls SR Family Law’s office receives the respect and care they deserve. With a friendly demeanor and adept organisational skills, Carmen excels at fostering connections and ensuring smooth operations.

Originally from South Africa, Carmen began her career with a degree in Communications and Journalism, honing her knack for storytelling and interpersonal connections. After relocating to Australia with her husband Claude, she ventured into the legal world, balancing roles as a Public Relations Executive, supporting her husband’s law firm, managing an online legal platform, and working part-time for barristers in chambers.

In her free time, Carmen enjoys outdoor adventures with her husband, three lovely daughters, and their furry companions. Carmen also finds joy in reading, jogging, hiking, and hosting friends.

FAMILY LAW SERVICES - REGIONS WE SERVE

Your Family Law Experts
from the Country to the Coast

OUR TEAM