Ioanita Gentles is the firm’s Principal Solicitor and Director. With over 20 years as a Solicitor and Barrister, Ioanita has spent her career helping clients to get the best results with their family law issues, minimising legal costs and giving sound advice.
Ioanita is naturally approachable, compassionate and discreet. She will identify your rights and possible strategies to enable you to make decisions for you and your family’s future.
Ioanita has extensive knowledge and experience in all the major areas of family law, including:
- Separation and Divorce
- Parenting Arrangements
- Property Settlements and Child Support
- Court Orders by Consent
- Domestic Violence
- Financial Agreements
- De-facto and same sex relationship Law
- Major issues relating to children
- Restraining Orders and Injunctions
- Spousal Maintenance for couples
Ioanita’s extensive litigation experience in Sydney, London and Auckland gives her a valuable perspective into commercial issues that are applicable in many family law property cases and enables her to negotiate settlements in complex matters.
Although Ioanita is a highly experienced court lawyer, she also recognises that it can be less stressful and more effective when couples can come to agreements about family law issues through conciliation, mediation and collaboration.
Ioanita has a Masters Degree in Applied Family Law and post graduate qualifications in Family Provision Claims, from the College of Law in Sydney. She is a Collaborative Family Law practitioner and a member of the International Academy of Collaborative Professionals and the Collaborative Professionals NSW. This is an emerging area of practice in New South Wales and may provide clients with a further option in which to resolve all family law issues.
As part of settling your family matters, she can also help you with drafting a new will, contesting or defending a Will, transfers of property between couples and preparing Deeds of Release under the Succession Act 2006.
At Gentles Family Lawyers our mission is to settle family disputes collaboratively. We’ve got you covered.
Urgent and after hours appointments are available.
Our Team
Eliza McDonald – Legal Assistant
Eliza is the firm’s newest legal assistant and lives on the Northern Beaches. After completing a Communications degree, where she gained invaluable knowledge of people and their needs, Eliza understands how to provide clients with the highest level of service. She is in her first year of a Bachelor of Laws and will then become a graduate lawyer within the firm.
She is a switched on and motivated legal assistant who brings a compassionate and fresh approach to her legal work and enjoys assisting people.
Glenda Johnstone – Conveyancing Paralegal and JP
Glenda is a Justice of the Peace and lives on the Northern Beaches. Glenda joined Gentleslaw Pty Ltd – Breeze Conveyancing in July 2015 and is a welcome asset to the property team.
She has over 20 years professional experience working in high profile, commercial property law firms in Sydney where she gained invaluable experience and detailed knowledge as a full time conveyancer.
As a specialist para legal conveyancer she consistently provides clients with reliable, efficient and professional conveyancing services.
Elly Speer – Legal Personal Assistant
Elly joined the firm in 2017 as our front-line client manager. Elly is naturally friendly, patient and a great communicator. As your point of contact, she will discuss the different options and processes available to you in your Family Law matter. She will keep you up to date with the progress of your matter and ensure that you get the earliest appointment possible.
Elly has a degree in Public Relations and is dedicated to her work. She is a top sports woman who has studied in the United States on a Swimming scholarship. Her her success at swimming highlights her dedication and her excellent attitude of being helpful and working with clients to achieve best outcomes.
She is organised and focused which is what Gentles Family Lawyers is all about.