Who We Are
Judy Swan
Principal Solicitor, Notary Public and Mediator
Judy Swan is an experienced lawyer, notary public and mediator with an impressive legal background spanning almost 3 decades. Judy currently holds the position of Principal at Swan Lawyers, an innovative start up law firm.
Areas of Expertise
- Family Law
- Commercial Litigation
- Employment Law
- Commercial Law
- Start-up Companies
- Criminal Law
Education & Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts with Honours in Clinical Psychology
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
- National Accredited Mediator
- Advocate of the Supreme Court of South Africa and Namibia
Languages
- English
- Afrikaans
- German
- French (conversational)
"I cannot recommend Judy highly enough in the area of family law. She not only sorted out my financial settlement in record time but she did it for about a tenth of the cost."
— Honorary Fellow, University of Melbourne
International Experience
Judy has practised law across multiple jurisdictions including Australia (New South Wales, all Federal Court jurisdictions and Tasmania), New Zealand and South Africa. Her experience includes working with prestigious firms such as Werksmans and Cliffe Dekker Hofmeyr.
Commitment to Accessibility
What distinguishes Swan Lawyers from other law firms is our commitment to making legal services accessible.
Family Law Focus
As a mother of four children, Judy brings unique insight to family law matters, particularly in children's cases. She combines sensitivity to clients' needs with a strong focus on protecting children's interests during parental separation.
Sarah Swan
Practice Director
Sarah is a director of Swan Lawyers. Sarah has worked in Family Law for over 7 years and is a strong advocate against all forms of family violence and abuse against all genders and age groups. Sarah also has experience in commercial litigation, insolvency and criminal law, particularly that which is associated with family law. Sarah is a passionate community activist and believes in giving back wherever possible. Currently serving as the Mayor of Woollahra Municipal Council.
Areas of Expertise
- Family Law
- Family Violence
- Fraud
- Bankruptcy
- Civil Litigation
- Children's Matters
Public Service & Community Involvement
Elected as Mayor of Woollahra Municipal Council in October 2024, Sarah previously served as Deputy Mayor from 2023 to 2024. She has been a council member since December 2021 and is a strong advocate against all forms of family violence and abuse. Sarah also serves as a director of Holdsworth Community Ltd, demonstrating her commitment to community service.
Professional Approach
Sarah's aptitude for procedure and legal research enables her to find efficient solutions to a wide array of legal problems. Her direct and commercial approach focuses on the early resolution of disputes, while maintaining sensitivity to clients' needs and prioritizing the protection of children's interests in family matters.
Beyond the Law
Outside of her legal and public service roles, Sarah maintains an active lifestyle as a yoga teacher and participates in local run and cycle clubs. She is also a novice surfer, demonstrating her commitment to maintaining a balanced lifestyle alongside her professional responsibilities.
Richard Allsop
Richard brings over five decades of legal experience to Swan Lawyers. With his extensive background spanning more than 50 years as a solicitor, he specialises in civil disputes and continues to provide valuable expertise to our clients.