Two Wentworth Succession Conference

The Honourable Justice Jane Needham
Judge, Federal Court of Australia
Justice Needham was appointed to the Federal Court on 5 July 2024.

Justice Needham graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales in 1986 and a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from the University of Technology, Sydney, in 1990. Justice Needham was called to the New South Wales Bar in 1990, and practised from 13th Floor St James’ Hall Chambers from 1991. She was appointed Senior Counsel in 2004, from part-time practice.

At the Bar, Justice Needham practised in mainly commercial areas including succession, equity, and trusts, and also in administrative and revenue law. She appeared in a number of Royal Commissions, inquiries, and inquests.

She was a Judicial Member, and then Deputy President of the Administrative Decisions Tribunal from 2002-2011, and was appointed the head of the Revenue Division. Justice Needham served on the Council of the Bar Association of New South Wales for many years and was its President from 2014-2015.

Justice Needham was awarded a Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) from the University of Technology, Sydney in May 2025, for her service to the law and advocacy for diversity and inclusion in the legal profession.

Richard Neal
Richard (Teece Hodgson & Ward) is widely recognised as a leading lawyer in New South Wales in contested estate claims, family provision claims and complex estate planning matters. Richard is named in the Doyle’s Guide from 2015 to 2025 as a Preeminent Wills & Estates Litigation Lawyer – New South Wales and Preeminent Wills, Estates Planning and Succession Planning Lawyer – New South Wales. He is co-author of Succession Law and Practice NSW (Mason and Handler) and Hutley’s Australian Wills Precedents (LexisNexis Butterworths) 11th Edition (2025). He regularly acts as an Administrator or Interim Administrator appointed by the Court.

John Armfield
Called to the Bar in 1983, John is recognised by his peers as an expert in Succession Law and is listed as a preeminent junior counsel in the area of Wills & Estates litigation by Doyle’s Guide. He is a Nationally Accredited Mediator and frequently mediates contested succession and probate disputes.

Asheetha Jelliffe
Asheetha Jelliffe, Partner, Bridges Lawyers: Asheetha is the Head Assessor of the Advisory Committee for Specialist Accreditation in Wills and Estates, and the Chairperson of the inaugural Advisory Committee for Specialist Accreditation in Elder Law. Her main area of practice has been in contested estate litigation (including probate and family provision matters) and other trust and estate administration suits.  She is regularly appointed as a Court Appointed Administrator for estates. Asheetha is listed in the 2025 Doyles Guide’s lists as a ‘Preeminent’ Wills & Estates Litigation Lawyer and Wills, Estates & Succession Planning Lawyer in NSW and as a ‘Leading’ Wills & Estates Litigation Lawyer in Australia.

Sophie Kay-Noble
Sophie Kay-Noble, Associate, Bridges Lawyers: Sophie has worked in wills and estates law for over 7 years and has a particular interest in litigation. She has been recognised as a Rising Star – Wills, Estates, & Succession Planning Law NSW & ACT in the 2025 Doyles Guide. She has worked at private firms in Sydney and the Central Coast, and in the public sector at the NSW Trustee and Guardian in their Estate Litigation and Advice team.

Craig Birtles
Craig is recognised as a preeminent junior counsel in the Doyle’s Guide Wills & Estate Litigation practice area. He is a member of the Society of Trust & Estate Practitioners (STEP) and the NSW Bar Association Succession and Elder Law Committee.

Ari Katsoulas
Ari Katsoulas is recognised in the Doyle’s Guide as a leading junior counsel in the Wills & Estates Litigation practice area. In addition, he is regularly briefed in commercial, insolvency and equity claims.

Andrew Stevens
Andrew Stevens practices in Equity and Succession Law, including probate, family provision, contested estates and equity claims. He has a Masters in Laws majoring in wills and estates.

Paul Bolster
With over two decades of experience, Paul is an experienced barrister with a diverse practice. Graduating from the University of New South Wales with a Bachelor of Laws and a further Master of Laws from the University of Sydney.
Paul specialises in commercial disputes, succession, criminal law and administrative law.
Some of Paul’s work highlights include his assistance in a public inquiry into Norfolk Island Regional Council, contributing to transparent governance and accountability (2016 – 2021); and his work on the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (2019 – 2021)

William Calokerinos
William began his career in senior accounting roles in the telecommunications industry and also worked in tax consulting at a Big Four firm. As a lawyer, he has experience in both civil and criminal law, including appeals, corporate insolvency, bankruptcy, white-collar and tax crime, and complex property and trust disputes. He stays up to date with tax law and teaches part-time at UTS Law School. He’s also closely involved with the Master Builders Association (NSW), having earned building qualifications and serving as an Executive Councillor.
A great believer in the rule of the law, William is passionate about justice and believes in the legal system’s role in improving society. He’s driven to deliver fair outcomes and real commercial value for his clients.

Hal Altan
Admitted to the Bar in 2005, Hal has extensive experience in the commercial and equity divisions of the Supreme Court of NSW and Court of Appeal. In addition to his succession practice, Hal accepts briefs in all trial and appellate matters, in all aspects of commercial and corporations law, contracts, equity and trusts, property, insurance, succession, insolvency, professional negligence and construction law.

Andrew Bailey
Andrew has developed a broad practice as both advance and adviser, with expertise in commercial litigation, building & construction, bankruptcy and insolvency, equity, wills & estates and administrative law.
Andrew maintains a strong commercial and equity-focused practice, appearing in trail courts and alternative dispute resolution forums for a diverse client base, including SMEs, high-net worth individuals, and government departments..

Caitlin Angus
Caitlin has a strong equity practice, primarily in Trusts and Succession Law. She is also an experienced advocate in Family Law, both property and parenting matters, Commercial Law, and International Law.

Robert McCaw
Robert was called to the Bar in 2022 and is a member of Two Wentworth Chambers. An expert in Criminal, Succession, Immigration, Administrative and Commercial Law, Robert brings a wealth of unique insight to the Two Wentworth team.

Jordan Lee
Jordan was called to the Bar in 2025. He brings years of experience as a solicitor at a large national firm. Jordan’s principal practice areas are succession, equity and trusts, corporations and general commercial law.