Background

Prior to becoming a Conveyancer, Sonia worked for BFC Finance Limited eventually becoming a Branch Manager.  Sonia obtained her license as a conveyancer in South Australia in 1987.  After working as Loans Administration Manager for a large Building Society for 2 years, she began work for a property developer and builder, as Conveyancer and Administration Manager for almost 12 years.  This background has given Sonia extensive experience finance, property, land division process, the residential building industry and retirement villages.

Sonia decided to broaden her experience by joining the largest SA/NT law firm, Minter Ellison in 2001.  There she acted in the sale or purchase of large city office buildings and a number of  major property projects which encompass subdivisions, crown leases, community titles and water and pipeline licences as well as the purchasing of commercial properties including vineyards, fish farms and shopping centres.  At Minter Ellison, Sonia was responsible for two major clients, Housing SA and AVJennings Limited.

Sonia is licensed in South Australia and Northern Territory.  Due to the high regard the Northern Territory hold the South Australian training, Sonia holds an extended license in Northern Territory allowing her to prepare mortgages, leases, encumbrances and restrictive covenants and sale of businesses.

Specific project involvement

Sonia was fully involved with the purchase, division, design and building process (considering needs of aged) for Victoria Grove and Stuart Grove Retirement Estates in South Australia.  This included the set up and preparation of all documentation, the transfer of residential units in a unit trust or loan/licences and the management of the estates for the owner.

Sonia has been heavily involved in community divisions and land divisions including staging throughout her career. This has included bonding with the various government departments, drafting encumbrances and all other documentation, ensuring the smooth and quick passage of the plan through the Lands Titles Office and subsequent sale of land.  One complicated division included many private easements and long term lease over the infrastructure for a private water company at Meadows.

She was involved in the purchase of commercial properties including Ingle Farm Shopping Centre, which at the time was the largest sale in the State.  Other work included the sale of a Fish Farm and equipment at Port Lincoln, a citrus operation at Waikerie, and vineyards, pumping stations, pipelines and water licences.

In Darwin, Sonia was involved in the division and settlement of Mitchell Creek Estate at Farrar, Charlton Court commercial units and Cascade.  Until Sonia left Minter Ellison, she was handling the contracts and sales for Evolution on Gardiner, and Parkview Estate.

Sonia is now President of the Australian Institute of Conveyancers (NT Division) and a National Councillor.  She is committed to actively promoting the profession and professionalism of Conveyancers.