OUR PEOPLE
Our Solicitors
Mark Ramsland
Solicitor
Mansell Laidler
Solicitor
Born in Sydney but raised in Newcastle, Mark attended Macquarie University and was admitted into practice in 1992 and has worked in Newcastle since 1995 initially as an employed solicitor with Baker Love Solicitors. In 1996 Mark opened his own law firm. In 1999 he incorporated into his practice the longstanding Newcastle law firm of Borthwick, Wilson, Smith and Bates.
Mark has had over 25 years' experience in court advocacy principally in the area of criminal law. He also has had extensive involvement in deceased estates, commercial law and dust disease compensation matters.
He has experience in all areas of criminal law ranging from the most serious offences to minor traffic and other matters. He has appeared extensively in the Local, District and Supreme Courts, as well as the appellate jurisdictions. In addition to strictly criminal matters, he has had extensive experience with the NSW Crime Commission and other quasi-criminal prosecutions.
Mark has a keen interest in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and community service work. He has been a director of Newcastle’s Soul Café and currently serves as Director and Chair of a not-for-profit residential drug and alcohol facility, Connect Global Inc, located in the Port Stephens area just north of Newcastle.
Mark is married with 2 adult children, enjoys cricket and Rugby League. He is a devoted Sea Eagles fan.
Born and raised in Newcastle, Mansell Laidler, worked in the Attorney General's Department (Local Courts) for 20 years. He studied law by correspondence at Macquarie University. He was working as the clerk of the Court Woy Woy when he completed his degree and was "head hunted" by a Central Coast firm of solicitors. As a solicitor, Mansell has worked on the North Coast and Central Coast areas of New South Wales before returning to Newcastle in 1999.
In total Mansell has 40 years experience in the New South Wales legal system. As a solicitor, Mansell has extensive experience in Criminal Law and General Litigation.
Mansell is well known in the Local and District Courts in New South Wales for his acumen but also his good humour.
Mansell is married, has 4 children and 5 grandchildren of whom he is very proud. He enjoys a beer, music, the company of family and friends and still surfs regularly.
James Wallace
Solicitor
Tadijana Ilicic
Solicitor
James completed his Legal Studies at the University of Newcastle in 1998 and was admitted as a Practitioner of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and The High Court of Australia in February 1999. Since that time James has constantly been in practice in small firms throughout the Hunter and Newcastle regions including working in Singleton and Toronto before moving to Newcastle to be part of the Ramsland Laidler firm. For over 18 years James has been exposed to a wide variety of Legal Practice but in more recent times has come to focus his practice on Family Law work and Local Court criminal work.
James is an experienced family lawyer who is heavily involved in the family law arena in Newcastle; he is a past President of The Hunter Valley Family Law Practitioners Association and currently holds the position of Treasurer within that association. James is actively involved in the education of family lawyers particularly in areas of advocacy and preparation for Court matters.
James prides himself on his Court presence and preparation.
In addition to his professional capacity, James continues to play high-level cricket in the Newcastle District Cricket Association and is currently the President of the Newcastle University Cricket Club. James holds strong relationships with the university, new sport and the Newcastle District associations. James enjoys surfing, sailing and fishing, and loves spending time at the beach with his wife, two sons and one daughter.
Tadijana Ilicic was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW in April 2021 after completing her Juris Doctor/Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the University of Newcastle the same year. While studying, she worked as a paralegal in insurance and criminal law and undertook placement at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Tadijana represents clients in all areas of criminal law and is a detail-oriented solicitor. She appears in the Local, District and Supreme Courts.
Tadijana's research interests include the defence of lawful correction and the use of restorative, rehabilitative, and therapeutic practices as alternatives to traditional punishment.
Tadijana is also a violinist, and has performed with numerous orchestras in Australia and Europe, toured with her own musical acts, and recorded with many artists. She was awarded a Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree from the University of Newcastle Conservatorium of Music in 2007 where she graduated First Class and received the Faculty Medal.
In her spare time, Tadijana enjoys attending live original gigs.
Sienna Gardner
Legal Receptionist
Sarah Ramsland
Junior Receptionist
Harry Ramsland
Law Clerk
