Dawson Pouwhare Legal & Conveyancing has been part of the Lake Macquarie, Hunter and the rural NSW community for over 50 years. In that time, generations of locals have brought us their property purchases, business milestones, family challenges and end-of-life plans, the moments that matter most.
We are not a franchise, and not a city firm with a regional outpost. We are a locally owned, locally run practice, and we care about the people we work with because they are our neighbours.
We think good legal advice should not feel intimidating. It should feel like a straightforward conversation with someone who knows the area, understands your situation, and wants to help you get the right outcome. So we take the time to listen before we advise, we explain things in plain language, and we are honest with you, even when that means saying something you would rather not hear. And we stay accessible throughout your matter, so you are never left wondering what is happening.
Much of our work comes to us by word of mouth, from clients who have passed our name on to family and friends. We do not take that lightly.
If you have grown up in Lake Macquarie, chances are someone you know has sat across the desk from one of our solicitors.
Principal SolicitorJamie-Lee Pouwhare
Jamie-Lee is the Principal of Dawson Pouwhare and has practiced in property and conveyancing, wills and estates, and business and commercial law throughout her career. Her Masters in Applied Law with a focus on property law reflects a genuine depth of expertise in an area where she works with clients through some of their most significant financial decisions.
She purchased the firm in 2024 after working within it for three years, a decision that says as much about her as her credentials do. Cardiff is where she grew up, where she is raising her family and where she has chosen to build her career. That connection to the Lake Macquarie community is not incidental to how she practises law. Clients frequently describe her as someone who gives straight, clear advice and stays genuinely accessible throughout their matter.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Law, University of Newcastle
Bachelor of Commerce, University of Newcastle
Diploma of Legal Practice
Admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW, 2016
Masters in Applied Law, Property Law
Affiliations:
Law Society of NSW
Newcastle Law Society
Women Lawyers Association
Hunter Young Professionals
Solicitor Brooke Febo
Brooke leads the wills and estates practice at Dawson Pouwhare, with experience across will preparation, estate planning, probate, estate administration and contested estate matters. Her background in family law gives her a strong understanding of the dynamics that frequently intersect with estate matters, blended families, estrangements and competing claims among them, and she is well placed to navigate situations where those two areas of law overlap.
Originally from the United States, Brooke chose Lake Macquarie as her home and has built her career here with a genuine commitment to the local community. She works with clients through moments that are often both practical and deeply personal, and her approach reflects that, thorough, considered and focused on making sure the right things are properly in place.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Social Science (Criminology), University of Newcastle
Bachelor of Laws with Honours, University of Newcastle
Diploma of Legal Practice
Admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW and the High Court of Australia
Affiliations:
Law Society of NSW
Hunter Valley Family Law Practitioners Association
SolicitorCharlotte Winters
Charlotte practises in family law at Dawson Pouwhare, working with clients across separation, parenting and children's matters, property settlement and the disputes that arise along the way. She knew from a young age that she wanted to be a lawyer, drawn to the idea of helping people through difficult times and making a meaningful difference in their lives. Her passion for family law runs deeper still: her parents were foster carers, and growing up she saw firsthand the challenges that vulnerable children and families can face, and the difference that support, advocacy and stability can make in a child's life. That experience shapes how she practises today. She is committed to making sure people feel heard, supported and fairly represented, and to achieving the best possible outcomes for the children and families she works with.
Having lived in the Hunter all her life, Charlotte brings a genuine local connection to her work and a real commitment to the community she serves. She understands that behind every matter are people navigating some of the most significant and emotional periods of their lives, and she approaches each one with care, patience and a determination to advocate strongly on their behalf.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Business (Leadership and Management)
Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
Associate SolicitorChristel Ong
Christel practises across wills and estates, family law and conveyancing at Dawson Pouwhare, with a growing focus on conveyancing. She sees the law as a tool to help people rather than harm them, favouring practical, constructive and conciliatory solutions over unnecessarily adversarial ones. Her Juris Doctor from the University of Newcastle reflects the depth she brings to guiding clients through some of life's most significant financial decisions, whether they are buying a first home, acquiring an investment property or taking the next step in their property journey.
Originally from the Philippines, Christel has proudly called the Hunter home since moving to Australia, where she and her husband are raising their two daughters, drawn by the region's welcoming community and family-friendly lifestyle. That sense of belonging is not incidental to how she practises law. Clients value the guidance and reassurance she offers throughout important transactions, and the care she takes to make sure they feel supported at every step.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Science (Legal Management), Philippines
Juris Doctor, University of Newcastle
Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice, University of Newcastle
Admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW, 2023
Affiliations:
Law Society of NSW
Associate SolicitorKayla Curtis
Kayla is a family lawyer at Dawson Pouwhare, with experience and interest spanning children's matters, criminal law and conveyancing. She is passionate about helping clients navigate complex legal issues with empathy, practical advice and strong advocacy, recognising that legal matters often arise during some of life's most challenging times. As an accredited mediator, with her Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and Independent Children's Lawyer accreditations underway, she brings a considered, resolution-focused approach to family law.
Originally from Sydney, Kayla and her family relocated to the Newcastle region in 2018 and quickly fell in love with the Hunter, which she is now proud to call home. As a mother of four, she has a deep appreciation for the importance of family, resilience and clear communication, and she makes sure every client feels heard, supported and empowered throughout their matter. She also gives back to the profession, regularly volunteering as a mediation adjudicator for the Law Society of NSW High School Mock Mediation Competition, mentoring and inspiring aspiring young advocates.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP)
Accredited Mediator, National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS)
Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP), currently completing
Independent Children's Lawyer (ICL), currently completing
Our Support Team
At Dawson Pouwhare, every solicitor works with their own dedicated support person.
That means when you call or visit, you are always dealing with someone who knows your file.
Kylie Boyle
Deceased Estates Assistant
Leanne Murray
Property Assistant
Cathy Tinson
Property/Commercial Assistant
Samara Ingram
Receptionist/Legal Assistant
Two Offices
One Team
CARDIFF
315 Main Road, Cardiff NSW 2285
MORISSET
4/61-63 Dora Street, Morisset NSW 2264
