OUR TEAM
MEET OUR TEAM OF EXPERT LAWYERS
JUSTINE AUBIN
PRINCIPAL LAWYER
Justine is our founder and principal lawyer.
Justine founded August & Claire Lawyers to provide clients with high quality legal advice with the dedication and care of a small firm.
Justine specialises in Wills and Estates, estate planning, and will disputes. She has extensive experience in contested estate matters, having practiced exclusively in this area of law for several years on both plaintiff and defendant side of matters. Justine has acted in numerous family provision applications as well as many other contested estates matters and has obtained outstanding results for her clients. Justine puts her clients first and will go above and beyond for each of her clients. Nothing is too difficult and you can be certain to be supported and listened to every step of the way.
Justine is fluent in English and French. In addition to her Bachelor of Laws, she also holds a Bachelor in Business and Commerce.
TENILLE ROSSI
SENIOR ASSOCIATE
Tenille is an experienced lawyer with a wealth of knowledge in Wills & Estate.
First commencing her law career in 2018 as a law clerk, after completing her Juris Doctor in Law from the University of Newcastle in 2019 she was promoted to a graduate law position until her admission to the Supreme Court of NSW in 2020. Tenille gained extensive experience in Succession Law and Property Law.
Tenille has practiced predominantly in Wills and Estate, assisting clients with estate planning, estate administration and family provision claims. Her experience has allowed her to develop a professional, yet personalised approach to Wills and Estates, building strong relationships with clients to assist them navigate through what is typically a very challenging time in their lives. Her unique and refined expertise provides her as an invaluable asset to the team.
Outside of work, Tenille can be found enjoying spending time with her family in the great outdoors.
KAYLYN LYLE
SENIOR PARALEGAL
Kaylyn first started in the legal industry primarily working in property law in 2008 before then moving to the area of wills and estates in 2010. Since that time Kaylyn has assisted countless clients, both in plaintiff and defendant capacities, with family provision applications, constructive trust claims, estoppel claims and validity claims as well as executors and administrators with applications for probate and administration, including complex applications.
Kaylyn is a dedicated and empathetic employee who recognises that clients often come to us during times of great stress, and strives to reduce this as much as possible. Kaylyn is there every step of the way to help guide and answer any queries our clients may have.
Outside of work, Kaylyn enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons. She has a keen interest in photography, and enjoys fishing, hiking and sport.
KATIE POETSCHKE
PARALEGAL
Katie is a committed paralegal who joined the team at August & Claire Lawyers in April 2024.
Katie attained her LLB from the University of Leeds in 2021 and is diligently working towards admission to the Supreme Court of NSW. With a diverse background in working across different jurisdictions, she brings a unique perspective adaptable to various legal scenarios.
Katie’s expertise extends to working with vulnerable clients, emphasising the significance of cultivating positive client relationships and providing support during challenging life phases.
Beyond her professional pursuits, Katie enjoys socialising with friends and pursuing diverse hobbies, constantly seeking to expand her skill set and embrace new challenges.
JESSICA HORNE
PARALEGAL
Jessica joined the August & Claire Lawyers team in January 2025, bringing over six years of experience in the legal industry. Originally from Wee Waa, Jessica moved to Newcastle to pursue her law degree at Newcastle University, graduating in 2024.
Her passion for wills and estates was sparked by her desire to support individuals through challenging times. She finds this field deeply rewarding, helping clients navigate grief with empathy and understanding.
Before joining August & Claire, Jessica worked as a Legal Secretary for Nicholas Dan Solicitor and as an Administration Junior at Bilbie Dan, where she developed exceptional communication and organizational skills. Jessica thrives on new challenges and is excited to embark on this next chapter of her career.
Outside of work, Jessica enjoys spending time with her partner and family, playing netball, and taking her fur baby, Willow, to the beach.
ASHLEE SMITH
LEGAL SECRETARY
Ashlee is a dedicated Legal Secretary who joined August and Claire Lawyers in October 2024.
With over three years of experience in wills and estates law, Ashlee has worked with various clients, helping them navigate the complexities of wills and estate planning. After moving to Newcastle and briefly working in personal injury insurance law, Ashlee chose to return to her passion for wills and estate, where she finds great satisfaction in supporting clients through challenging times.
Her exceptional organizational and time-management skills enable her to provide strong support to the team, and she is excited to delve into more complex family provision matters at August and Claire.
Outside of work, Ashlee is an avid sports enthusiast, having played rugby league, and enjoys spending time at the beach with family and friends.