About
Principal – Mark McAuliffe
Mark holds bachelor degrees in Jurisprudence, Law and Science (Viticulture and Oenology). He was admitted to practice as a solicitor in 1981.
From 1981 to 1989 Mark was with the firm of Downing & Downing. He then went on to establish McAuliffe & Associates as a commercial and litigation firm.
In 2008, Mark left St Georges Terrace in Perth to set up McAuliffe Legal in Margaret River and Busselton. In 2019, Mark acquired Peter May Commercial Lawyers, and operates the merged firms as Peter May McAuliffe Legal.
Mark specialised as a litigation lawyer for the first half of his career. Over the last 20 years, Mark has primarily been involved in a range of matters, including commercial and property transactions, farming transfers and agreements, building, construction, finance, banking documentation, estate planning, wills, and estate administration. Mark accepts appointments as executor of estates. In litigation, Mark manages complex litigation in the Supreme and District Courts, the State Administrative Tribunal, and a number of speciality commercial tribunals.
Mark and his wife own their own vineyard in Margaret River, and consequently he has a good understanding of the wine industry. He has extensive experience in wine law, in particular in relation to vineyard and winery contracts, supply, distribution and bottling agreements, and liquor licensing.
Mark has extensive commercial experience in the setting up and operation of public companies. Mark has held numerous director and chairman roles on public and private boards. He is a past president of the not-for-profit South West Autism Network, advises many local and charitable community organisations, and is an adviser to the European based Di Memorial Trust, funding needy causes throughout the world.
Senior Consultant – Amelia Englert
Amelia was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2007. She was employed in local government for 10 years as a local government lawyer working in policy development, compliance and litigation. Accordingly, Amelia has significant experience in planning law and this is one of her specialist areas.
After entering private practice at McAuliffe Legal, Amelia continued her planning law work but also commenced specialising in family law. Amelia began her own legal practice, Cowaramup Legal in 2022 and continues practising in family law and planning law. Amelia still operates Cowaramup Legal and joins Peter May McAuliffe Legal as a senior consultant.
Besides her other specialist areas of practice, Amelia also has experience in commercial law and wills and probate matters.
Amelia is Deputy Chair of the Law Society of Western Australia’s Country Practitioners Committee which aims to consider and resolve issues experienced by country clients and practitioners. Being raised and having always lived in the country Amelia understands the specific needs of country clients.
Amelia lives in Gracetown and enjoys travelling and spending time with her family. With a family of keen surfers, Amelia gets to see and explore the beautiful beaches of the south-west. When time permits, Amelia plans to get back into her past love of horseriding.
Solicitor – Sharna Booth
Sharna was admitted to practice in September 2021.
Previously working in areas of legal support with the WA Police assisting with their evidence disclosure, and as a paralegal at the Office of Director of Public Prosecutions; she has strong file management procedures and organisation techniques that provide her with the ability to quickly and easily answer queries and respond to deadlines in a timely manner.
She relishes the clarity that is pleading a case in writing, and enjoys sifting through vast materials to find and use evidence to assist or defend a client’s case.
Confidently assisting clients with:
- Magistrates’ Court litigation;
- District Court personal injury claims;
- Supreme Court contract disputes;
- Financial family law matters such as binding financial agreements;
- Commercial law such as advising on business purchases, drafting terms and conditions, review of franchise agreements, debt collection, building disputes;
and - Estate planning law such as drafting wills and related documents.
Sharna loves the challenge of learning something new and the work/life balance that Peter May McAuliffe Legal offers.
If she’s not in the office she’s spending time with her twin boys and husband, enjoying crisp morning walks with her dog, sampling food and wine around the region or down at the local yoga studio.
Junior Solicitor – Chelsea Yates
Chelsea joins Peter May McAuliffe Legal with Bachelors degrees in Law and Commerce.
Chelsea was born and raised in Margaret River, before moving to Busselton and completing her studies both online whilst working full time in finance and human resource management with the Department of Education.
Having completed her professional legal training with Peter May McAuliffe Legal, she was admitted to practice in November 2022 and is looking forward to building a client base with strong connections to country and community.
Chelsea has a keen interest across multiple areas of law, with particular enthusiasm for employment law and Wills and estates.
Outside of work, Chelsea enjoys travelling with her husband, keeping active and working with local community groups to enhance animal welfare.
Senior Paralegal – Kayrene Parker
Kayrene Parker is an experienced Senior Paralegal with over 17 years’ experience. Kayrene has worked in the South West Region of Western Australia for many years, initially working with Wylie & Associates in Margaret River. In 2008 Kayrene joined Peter May Commercial Lawyers as a Legal Secretary, Administrator and Settlement Agent. Kayrene started with McAuliffe Legal in 2019 when we acquired Peter May Commercial Lawyers.
Kayrene brings a wealth of knowledge and experience to all property settlements including sub-divisions, strata title matters, and dealings with local government authorities. Kayrene has a straightforward and easy-going manner that her clients appreciate.
Outside of work Kayrene enjoys being outside, keeping active and enjoys spending time with her dog Poppy.
Senior Legal Secretary / Paralegal – Marnee Dixon
Marnee is law student who loves sports. Marnee balances her roles as a mother and Senior Legal Secretary / Paralegal with racing in the Legends division at speedway and playing netball.
Originally from the South West, Marnee has returned home from Melbourne to complete her final year of legal studies now that both her children attend school full time.
With a banking, commercial contract and business background, she is looking forward to beginning her Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and being admitted to practice in the private sector here in Busselton.
Admin & Accounts – Sue Brandreth
Sue began her career working in the banking sector before moving into the legal sector. Sue brings a wealth of prior experience in accounting and office administration roles obtained in private practice. Sue has lived in the South West Region for over 21 years managing all aspects of legal firms accounting administration and secretarial work, both at an operational and reporting level. Sue also has skills in word processing, management and business systems and performs a range of duties in these areas that provide for the effective operation of the firm’s accounting management function.
Sue is a dedicated mother and member of the local community in Margaret River, who approaches all clients in an easy going, transparent manner. Sue balances her working career with her love of the outdoors, music, the beach and gardening. Sue is a dedicated worker who commits herself to the values of our firm.