BROOKE DRINKWATER

Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law

Brooke was admitted as a lawyer in May 2010 and has worked in the Forster and Taree areas since September 2011.

Prior to returning to her home on the Mid North Coast, Brooke worked for five years as a Legal Secretary, Paralegal and then Solicitor in Newcastle in the areas of Criminal Law, Family Law and Contested Estates. 

Brooke has been involved in a number of high profile cases involving serious charges such as murder, attempted murder and large quantity drug matters.

During her time on the Mid North Coast, Brooke has worked hard to develop a good working relationship with and earn the respect of the local prosecuting authorities, the Police, Magistrates and visiting Judges and other solicitors in the area.

She regularly appears in the Forster and Taree Local and Taree District Court as well as other nearby courts in Defended Hearings, Bail Applications, Sentences and Appeals and has experience in conducting matters involving charges for traffic offences, drink driving, violent offences such as intimidation, assaults, sexual assaults and murder, fraud, theft and other property related matters such as break and enter and armed robbery offences as well as false complaints to the Police.

In 2021, Brooke was named a a Recommended Criminal Lawyer in Doyle’s Guide.

Brooke also regularly appears in person and by telephone or video in the Newcastle Federal Circuit and Family Court conducting property and children’s matters including relocation cases and matters involving domestic violence, neglect or abuse (including Care and Protection matters in the Children’s Court). This has included Brooke representing the Department of Communities and Justice, parents and children. 

Having been involved in the conduct of Contested Estate matters since the outset of her legal career Brooke has extensive experience in advising family members about their rights and is sensitive and responsive to the circumstances many family members find themselves in following the death of a loved one.

Brooke is a confident advocate that you can rely upon in your time of need. 

COURTNEY YOUNG

Solicitor 

Courtney was admitted as a lawyer in 2011. She completed her BA LLB at UNSW in 2010, where she attained first class honours, was chosen valedictorian and was awarded the University Medal in Law.  She was Associate to Her Honour Judge Flannery SC in the District Court, NSW in 2011/2012. Courtney lectured in criminal law, evidence law and criminology at the University of New South Wales between 2011 and 2017. In 2015 she was awarded the Nettheim Doctoral Teaching Fellowship at UNSW in recognition of her excellence in teaching while conducting her PhD studies on bail in regional and remote NSW courts.

Courtney has practiced criminal law in the Taree area since 2011, in a part time capacity previously for Steven Young Lawyers & Conveyancers and now Drinkwater Law.

Courtney is co-author of Zahra and Arden’s Drug Laws in New South Wales, published in 2014, which is still the primary practitioner text on NSW and Commonweath drug law. Courtney is also co-author of Justice Reinvestment: Winding Back Imprisonment, published in 2015, which deals with criminal justice policy.

Courtney regularly appears in the Forster, Taree and Port Macquarie Local and Taree and Port Macquarie District Courts as well as other nearby courts in Defended Hearings, Bail Applications, Sentences and Appeals and has experience in conducting matters involving charges for traffic offences, drink driving, violent offences such as intimidation, assaults, sexual assaults and murder, fraud, theft and other property related matters such as break and enter and armed robbery offences.