Hi, I'm Emma

A finalist in the ‘Sole Practitioner of the Year‘ award at the 2022 and 2023 Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards, I am a highly effective, strategic, and pragmatic commercial litigator and Principal of Macfarlane Law. Proud of my reputation as a fierce and determined advocate for clients, which stems from my extensive litigation experience, I am the trusted legal adviser to a following of corporate and personal clients.

My credentials as an Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation recognise my standing within the legal profession as an expert in my chosen area of practice. In a highly competitive field of lawyers who underwent rigorous assessments in communication, problem-solving, client relations, and legal knowledge, when I sat the Specialist Accreditation course in 2017 my standout results were acknowledged with a grading of merit.

Clients know they can trust me with complex and personal situations because I look beyond the matter, to the person behind it. Clients tell me they appreciate my instinctive and unique ability to simultaneously address the legal matter at hand, ease the anxiety and concern that they understandably experience when faced with a litigious dispute, and reassure them that the legal problem they are experiencing can be addressed.

Whilst I am well versed in the multitude of legal areas that Commercial Litigation encapsulates, much of my client work has focussed on the areas of practice outlined in the expertise section of this website. From the outset of any matter, I ensure that my clients fully understand the risks and options (legal and commercial) available to them, and I consistently communicate with clients throughout the progress of their matter to formulate strategies and generally protect and advance their interests.

Prior to founding Macfarlane Law in 2020, I held positions as a Partner and then Principal Lawyer in two of Greater Western Sydney’s reputable mid-sized law firms, acquiring over 20 years experience within specialist Commercial Litigation teams. Within both firms, I established a reputation with colleagues as being someone who can consistently:

• analyse complex factual scenarios, cutting across a number of areas of law;
• provide clear, reliable and timely advice;
• anticipate my opponent’s approach and get ahead of them; and
• implement strategies to achieve highly desirable solutions for clients.

My strategic and commercially sound planning is always focussed on the overall best interests of clients, which includes resolving disputes through alternative avenues of resolution where possible.

Alongside my legal qualifications, I also hold a degree in Business (Management), which allows me to garner an in-depth understanding of the everyday workings of clients’ organisations, as well as take a truly business-minded approach to all disputes.

Together with helping clients as a lawyer, I enjoy taking leadership roles within my business and community networks. I was selected as a finalist for the 2018 Western Sydney University Young Alumni Award, the 2019 Western Sydney Women Awards in the category of ‘Outstanding Western Sydney Woman in Leadership’ and the 2021 Women of the West Awards. I was also named 2020 Campbelltown Citizen of the Year at Campbelltown Council’s Australia Day civic ceremony.