Meet the growing legal team supporting Partners Wealth Group

Good wealth, investment and financial advice rarely exist in isolation, and for many individuals, families and business owners, their legal, financial and commercial affairs are deeply interconnected. For example, a client may have operating businesses, family trusts, investment properties, superannuation and personal assets, all sitting alongside estate planning, succession and broader wealth objectives.

A decision made in one area can have consequences across several others - a change to a business structure may affect succession planning; the ownership of an asset may affect how it is ultimately transferred; an estate plan may need to account for trusts, superannuation, business interests and investment structures.

This is why connection between advisors matters.

For several years, Partners Legal Solutions (PLS) has worked alongside the broader Partners Wealth Group (PWG) team, bringing legal expertise into the broader advice relationship and helping PWG clients consider their legal needs in the context of their financial, business and personal objectives.

As PLS enters its next chapter, it is building on its established connection with PWG by significantly expanding the strength, depth and breadth of its legal team. With new senior appointments and broader expertise across key practice areas, it is growing its capabilities to support more clients, address increasingly complex legal needs and provide a broader range of legal services across the PWG market, and beyond.

A stronger legal team

PLS supports individuals, families and businesses across a broad range of legal needs, with dedicated capability across Estates and Wealth, Corporate and Commercial, Property, Litigation and Dispute Resolution, and Insolvency and Restructuring. They advise clients at key points in their personal and business lives - including where legal matters intersect with broader financial, tax or investment considerations. This is where the team works closely with a client’s financial advisors, accountants, lenders and other professional advisors to provide a coordinated approach.

More recently, its strengthened capability has included the appointment of several new Partners and a new Managing Partner, adding significant experience to the existing PLS team and supporting our focus on building a stronger, more connected legal offering.

Evelyn Gardis, Wealth and Estates Partner

Evelyn brings more than 27 years of experience across wills and estates, succession planning, property and commercial law. She holds a Master of Applied Law specialising in Wills & Estates and Estate Planning.

Her practice includes sophisticated estate and succession planning, probate and estate administration, family provision claims and contested estates, together with property and commercial matters.

Evelyn's experience is particularly valuable for clients with more complex structures, including businesses, trusts, blended families and significant personal or investment assets, where estate planning needs to be considered as part of the client's broader financial position.

Michael Tsotsos, Wealth and Estates Partner

Michael brings more than 35 years of legal, financial services and leadership experience, including more than 17 years working within the financial services industry.

His expertise spans estate and succession planning, trusts, intergenerational wealth, philanthropy, corporate governance, risk, compliance and fiduciary arrangements.

Having worked across both legal practice and financial services, Michael brings a valuable understanding of how legal advice interacts with the work of financial advisors, trustees and wealth professionals.

James Barnett, Head of Property and Property Partner

James leads the PLS Property practice and brings extensive experience across residential and commercial property, having held senior legal and practice leadership roles nationally. He advises on acquisitions and disposals, commercial leasing, development matters, conveyancing and complex property transactions.

For clients building, restructuring or transferring wealth through property, James provides legal expertise that can work alongside their broader lending, investment and financial strategy.

Katie Higgins, Managing Partner and Corporate Partner

Katie has joined PLS as Managing Partner, bringing corporate and commercial expertise developed through working closely with business owners, founders, investors and private companies. Her experience includes business structuring and restructures, shareholder and partnership arrangements, capital raising and investment, acquisitions and business sales, succession and ownership transitions, employee equity, corporate governance and complex commercial arrangements. As Managing Partner, Katie's focus is also on the next stage of PLS - building a strong legal team and creating closer connections between legal, financial, accounting, lending and investment advice across the broader PWG network.

What our growing team and support services mean for you

One of the simplest questions clients can ask is:

Do my lawyer, financial advisor and accountant understand the full picture?

The role of PLS is to make those conversations easier. Whether you are reviewing your estate plan, buying or selling a business, considering succession, restructuring your affairs, dealing with a property matter or navigating a dispute, our legal team can work with you and, where appropriate, alongside your existing PWG advisors and other professional advisors.

We look forward to introducing you to the expanded PLS team and continuing to build a more connected approach to legal and wealth advice across the PWG community.

If you would like to speak with a member of the PLS team, contact your PWG advisor or leave your details and we’ll get back to you.

 

This material contains information that is general in nature. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs before making any decisions based on this information. Authorised Representative of Partners Wealth Group Financial Advice Pty Ltd AFS Licence No. 558563 | ABN 33 662 748 496.