In the heart of Inverell on Otho Street, resting atop an old Commonwealth Bank building sits Law Conveyancing & Legal Services. Law by nature and by name, Director Natalie Law opened the doors at 33A Otho Street two years ago, having been a solicitor for almost two decades with a desire to assist her chosen country community the best way she knew how.
Wander upstairs and inside you’ll find warm timber panelling, high ceilings and delightful demeanors. Law’s practice is predominantly as a conveyancing firm, offering residential and rural buying and selling, and estate planning and administration services.
“It’s rewarding knowing that we’re helping community members to purchase or sell their first home and for some that then extends to investment properties”
That commitment to her community has since been repaid, with Law’s business being named “Best Legal Service in the New England” in the New England Times promotion.
Detailing the process Law goes through with her clients, it’s clear from the passion in her eyes and voice she’s found her calling. From receiving the sales advice from real estate agents, Law helps cross clients’ t’s and dot the i’s of pest and building reports and council approvals. Once funding and finance is in place and due diligence enquiries are complete, settlement adjustments are completed and a final inspection carried out, then it’s time for settlement and: “The fun part of moving in! The only thing I don’t help with is the boxes,” laughs Law.
The New England Times award is a humbling honour for the quintessential, fourth generation New Englander who grew up in Tenterfield and clearly had a penchant for the legal sector early on: “My first job was as a receptionist at a solicitors office and I had to learn the various skills of what’s required to make a business successful.”
Learning the ropes early on has paid dividends, with Law crediting her tight knit team’s “joyous” working relationship as one of the main draw cards for her current operation. “I’ve worked with both Kristine and Casey in the past and we share more than a decade of history.”
“We really enjoy working together and I think that comes through in our dealings with clientele.”
From Tenterfield, Law moved to Armidale for university and work, completing two degrees – one in social science and one in law – before taking her first job as a solicitor in Glen Innes. Law’s second job took her to Inverell where she continued to practice in criminal and family law, together with conveyancing
Even after all that time, “I’m still not used to the winters!” Law admits.
Outside of the business, Law is a self-confessed horse tragic and extremely involved in the New England’s equine community. “I’m a little old for pony club now, but I do see quite a lot of people through work whom we also compete and socialise with through the horse community through campdrafting and breeding horses.”
Speaking to what’s next for Law’s practice, she is just as clear on what’s to come as the reasoning why it will have to wait for now: “The demographics of the area are shifting and so the type of work I’m doing is changing with it.”
“Clients have often bought their first home already, then their investment property and they’ve already run a business.”
“Now they’re looking at estate planning. Estate planning should be at the forefront and should be actioned in consultation with financial advisers.”
“I enjoy being able to assist Glen Innes clients on Fridays while travelling through to Brisbane to see our daughter who is completing Year 12.”
Talking about another win – their New England Times award – Law said “The day we entered, I messaged my team to say “We should have a shot at this” – and lo and behold, we won our category!”
“It’s lovely to know that the community is behind us.”
“We were very honoured to win this award and are very grateful to everyone who voted.”
The best part of Law’s job is that the big wins come regularly: “Every matter that goes smoothly just makes my day, because when someone signs on that dotted line you know they’ve just had their day made too.”
“Every settlement is a win.”
Law Conveyancing & Legal Services was voted by New England Times readers as the Best Legal Service in the New England 2024.
See the other winners and more details about this promotion.