Headquarters:
317 Windsor Street, Richmond, NSW 2753
Year founded:
1885
Number of employees:
700
Phone:
0286 077 184
Email:
reception@rafton.com.au
Website:
rafton.com.au
LinkedIn:
linkedin.com/company/raftonfamilylawyers
“We love to win. We’re tenacious, and we believe in getting results”
Brett Vincent,
Vincent Young Lawyers
Kate Rafton
Managing Director
Mitch Grant
Director, Operational Excellence
David Newman
Chief Executive Officer and Partner
Leadership
Kate Rafton is a dual accredited specialist in Family and Children’s Law, an accredited arbitrator and mediator and a trained collaborative lawyer. Having extensive experience in family law, she is also known for her business acumen, successfully leading the Rafton team from a small single office in 2007 to a multi-million-dollar business across seven locations.
Along with her law qualifications, Rafton is a registered nurse and has experience in health management and leadership. She is a mentor and trailblazer for young female businesswomen and has received numerous awards and accolades across her career, including being named Family and Divorce Lawyer for the Australasia region by Women’s Magazine in 2024.
Managing Director
Kate Rafton
Mitch Grant leads the operational excellence function that brings together the firm’s experts in knowledge, legal operations and research services. This team is responsible for shaping the way Maddocks lawyers work, ensuring the delivery of exceptional client experiences.
Director, Operational Excellence
Mitch Grant
David Newman leads Maddocks as CEO, a role he has held since 2020. A passion for the law and client service drives his contribution to the greater goals of Maddocks, with a focus on investing in and empowering the firm’s people to deliver outstanding results for clients and innovating legal services.
Chief Executive Officer and Partner
David Newman
Leadership
“A true leader can see potential in different employees, regardless of their position. Listening and recognizing the value of each individual not only inspires them but also makes them grow professionally”
Saray Uribe,
CharSan Insurance & Consulting
Leadership
Catherine Saliba
Chief Executive Officer and Partner
Catherine Saliba is responsible for driving the strategic, financial and operational aspects of the firm. She joined Maddocks in 2006 and, since that time, has supported the firm with strategic advice, overseeing profitable growth while managing a range of innovative workplace solutions for its people.
Chief Executive Officer and Partner
Catherine Saliba
Brad Kay
Chief Information Officer
Brad Kay leads the firm’s information technology team and innovation strategy. Constantly looking for new ways to improve the firm’s IT systems and processes, he is responsible for driving new innovation at Maddocks and drives teams to embrace technological change to better support the firm and its clients.
Chief Information Officer
Brad Kay
Known for its highly specialised expertise, Rafton Family Lawyers has provided top-class service to the Greater Western Sydney area for almost two decades.
Founder and managing director Kate Rafton influences the firm’s culture of being family focused and offering flexibility to staff.
The firm is recognised for its practical, down-to-earth approach and the outcomes it achieves for clients.
Rafton and her team of experienced lawyers and administrative staff are committed to providing the best possible family law services and delivering real value for money. They understand the issues clients are facing and focus on working to achieve the best possible outcome. They care about clients, their family and their personal situation and want to help.
By specialising in family law, the firm knows how to get the best results. Its experienced solicitors listen to clients’ situation and advise them on how to resolve their problems and minimise the impact on them and their children.
Whether clients need advice about a family home or business or how to determine children’s living arrangements after separation, Rafton Family Lawyers can help by offering sound, reliable advice that makes sense.
The firm has enjoyed significant revenue growth over the past 18 months by opening two new offices and adding two additional practice areas.
In June 2024, it opened a new office in Macarthur, southwest of the Greater Sydney Area, which was part of a two-year plan to target this high-growth corridor.
The firm has expanded its service areas to bring in a wills and estates arm and special mediation practice, which have been hugely successful. The addition of Maurice Edwards to lead its special mediation practice brings over 40 years of experience to the firm, along with strong mentorship and an ethics focus.
It strives to build on the success of its Macarthur office by increasing staff presence in the area.
Rafton Family Lawyers believe in supporting the local community and giving something back to the people of Western Sydney. After all, the team lives and works in the area where clients are.
Marnie Reid
Director, Business Development and Communications
Perry Thomas
Non-Executive Director and Chair of Risk and Capital Committee
Shirel Stedman
Non-Executive Director
Simon Williams
Chief Strategy & Distribution Officer, Arch Insurance International
and Active Underwriter, Syndicate 1955
Marnie Reid leads the firm’s client and market strategy, overseeing the business development and communications function that is focused on ensuring the best service for Maddocks’ clients, implementing emerging areas of law across the firm and building its reputation as a market leader in key sectors.
Director, Business Development and Communications
Marnie Reid
Perry Thomas is a non-executive director and chair of Risk and Capital Committee. He’s an actuary with over 30 years of experience in financial services in roles including CEO, CRO and group chief actuary. He’s held directorships in the UK, Bermuda, Ireland, India, South Africa, Malta and Luxembourg, and has been on the Council of the Institute and Faculty of Actuaries. Thomas is dyslexic, which he believes can bring a different perspective.
Non-Executive Director and Chair of Risk and Capital Committee
Perry Thomas
Shirel Stedman is a non-executive director. She is also a fellow chartered member of the Institution of Civil Engineers (FICE) and the Chartered Institute of Water and Environmental Management (CIWEM). Stedman brings over 30 years of experience as a civil engineer who has spent most of her career working on flood resilience, climate change and water issues across the public and private sectors.
Non-Executive Director
Shirel Stedman
Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.
Partner
Kimi Shah
Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.
Partner
Kimi Shah
Kimi leads the Estate Planning and Wealth Protection team and is a member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners. She understands the complex and delicate nature of family estate planning, the technical requirements around probate and estate administration, and the importance of preserving wealth for future generations. Her advice is accurate, commercial, strategic and tailored to each situation.
Partner
Kimi Shah
Read on
IB Top Brokerages
Award Winner
Award Winner
Rafton Family Lawyers
SPECIAL REPORT
Home
Bio
Read on
Award Winner
SPECIAL REPORT
Home
Bio
Read on
Award Winner
SPECIAL REPORT
Home
Bio
Medals
BDM support
Brand recognition and reputation
Broker communication, training and development
Commission structure
Online platforms and services
Overall service level
Premium stability
Product innovation
Product range
Medal
Overall service level
Broker communication, training and development
BDM support
Turnaround time – claims
Broker's Pick – Personal Accident and Illness Insurance
Brokers’ Pick – Professional liability
Small business
Medal
Overall service level
Broker communication, training and development
BDM support
Turnaround time – claims
Broker's Pick – Personal Accident and Illness Insurance
Brokers’ Pick – Professional liability
Small business
“We believe in handling our clients’ matters as if they were our own, and with this approach, we seek solutions wherever possible”
Brett Vincent,
Vincent Young Lawyers
“Having four insurance designations, and the wealth of knowledge that comes with it, enables me to better counsel customers regarding the importance of having the appropriate insurance coverage”
Saray Uribe,
CharSan Insurance & Consulting
employee benefits
regional retail P&C
specialty P&C
underwriting
direct-to-consumer programs
Underscoring the value proposition the firm offers, Vincent says, “Our clients get direct access to our partners. We are always available, and we pride ourselves on being highly responsive. We are lean and efficient. Our work is of the quality of larger law firms, without the price tag.”
To operate optimally for clients, the firm engaged the founder of a major construction management company to be chairman. Under their guidance, Vincent Young has expanded its practice areas to include property, projects, commercial and insolvency law. Today, Vincent Young is advised by a chairman and two advisors, none of whom are lawyers, resulting in invaluable industry insight and client-side perspective.
“The balance between technical legal skills and proactive solutions lies at the heart of our business and our success in legal matters,” says Vincent. “We believe in handling our clients’ matters as if they were our own, and with this approach, we seek solutions wherever possible.”
more than $1 million in funds
over $2.3 million in combined monetary and in-kind donations through an annual World Food Derby initiative
2,320 volunteer hours to numerous deserving organizations, making a significant community impact
Alliant’s progress is set to continue, as underlined by Zimmer, who has confidence in the firm’s people to deliver continued excellence.
“We believe in our business plan, and it has proven successful. We don’t feel the need to change that. Our core business plan will continue to drive the company forward, complemented by new opportunities that may arise in the future.”
Turnaround time – claims
Turnaround time – new business
Overall
02 9261 5900