OUR TEAM

Allison Benson

Principal — Strata & Community Title Lawyer

Allison has practised in strata and community title law since 2008, and since 2012 has acted exclusively in this area of law. In 2014 Allison co-founded Kerin Benson Lawyers and in 2026 Allison has founded Benson Legal, bringing her team with her to Benson Legal.

Allison brings deep experience in general strata advice, dispute resolution, building and construction matters, and by-law and management statement work.

Allison has represented clients at all levels of court proceedings — including the Court of Appeal and before the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT). Her litigation background spans contractual claims, interpreting lot property and common property, by-law interpretation, common property maintenance, repairs and loss claims, unit entitlement re- allocations, compulsory management matters, management rights disputes, building defect matters and levy recovery. Since the 2015 strata law reforms she has also been active in strata renewal work, guiding owners corporations and lot owners through this complex process. Allison's approach is pragmatic and straightforward — focused on her clients' needs and the cost-effective resolution of every matter. Allison is a Fellow of the Australian College of Strata Lawyers and regularly writes and presents on strata law. Areas of focus Strata & Community Title Advice Strata & Community Title Dispute Resolution By-laws & Management Statements Building Management & Facilities Management Agreements Building & Construction Defects Fencing, Trees & Easement Advice Strata Renewal Qualifications Graduate Diploma of Legal Studies, College of Law Bachelor of Laws (Hons), Macquarie University Bachelor of Business, University of Newcastle Outside the office, Allison enjoys getting out into nature. Allison is devoted to her dogs Ollie Dogasaurus and Melvin.

Tom Waugh

Special Counsel

Tom joined Allison’s team in January 2021 and is a Special Counsel being one of our most senior team members. He brings experience across a wide range of legal practice areas, including insurance claims, debt recovery, statutory prosecutions, administrative law, building defect claims and strata disputes.

Tom has appeared across multiple jurisdictions — the Local Court, District Court, Supreme Court of NSW, NCAT and the Federal Court — and has acted for large insurers, self-insured entities, government bodies and private individuals. He now focuses primarily on acting for owners corporations and lot owners.

Beyond litigation, Tom enjoys advising on all aspects of strata law, including procedural issues, building and strata management statements, construction contracts and building management contracts and by-laws. He aims to provide clear, practical advice and achieve the best possible outcomes for his clients. Tom is a Member of the Australian College of Strata Lawyers. Areas of focus Building & Construction Defects Building Contracts Strata & Community Title Advice Strata & Community Title Dispute Resolution By-laws & Management Statements Building Management & Facilities Management Agreements Fencing, Trees & Easement Advice Qualifications Graduate Diploma of Legal Studies, College of Law Australia Bachelor of Laws, University of Sydney Bachelor of Arts, University of Sydney Outside work, Tom enjoys reading, keeping active, music and sport.

Carlo Fini

Special Counsel

Carlo joined Allison’s team in 2025 as Special Counsel. He has extensive legal experience in strata law, commercial law, disputes and litigation.

Carlo has extensive experience in both the public and private sectors, helping clients navigate complex legal environments. He has also worked as a barrister at the NSW Bar.

He assists clients to manage legal risk and resolve disputes efficiently and strategically. Carlo is known for his practical, solutions-focused approach, delivering clear and workable outcomes in high-stakes or technically complex matters, whether through negotiation, litigation, or proactive planning.

Carlo has broad experience across both front-end advisory and back-end dispute work, particularly in the areas of construction, strata, insurance, contracts, and government regulation and compliance. Areas of focus Building & Construction Defects Building Contracts Building Management & Facilities Management Agreements Commercial Contracts Strata & Community Title Advice Strata & Community Title Dispute Resolution Regulatory Compliance & Government law Qualifications Master of Laws, University of Sydney Bachelor of Laws, University of Western Australia

Gemma Lumley

Senior Associate

Gemma joined the Allison’s team in August 2016, bringing with her a Juris Doctor from the University of New South Wales and a Bachelor of Arts in Art History from the University of Melbourne. Her earlier background in property and conveyancing gives her a strong foundation for her strata law practice.

Gemma acts for owners corporations, community associations and lot owners across a broad range of strata disputes under the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015, including building management agreements, lot and common property disputes, and by-law matters.

She also acts in building defect claims under the Home Building Act 1989 and in neighbour disputes. Gemma has carriage of matters in NCAT — including before the Appeal Panel — as well as in the Supreme Court and the Land and Environment Court.

In her day-to-day practice, Gemma works closely with strata managers, lot owners, strata committee members and building experts. She is also responsible for drafting, reviewing and advising on by-laws, and has contributed to advice on collective sales and strata renewal matters. Gemma is a Member of the Australian College of Strata Lawyers. Areas of focus Strata & Community Title Advice Strata & Community Title Dispute Resolution By-laws & Management Statements Building Management & Facilities Management Agreements Building & Construction Defects Fencing, Trees & Easements Advice Qualifications Doctor of Law, University of New South Wales Bachelor of Arts (Art History), University of Melbourne Outside work, Gemma enjoys tackling ambitious recipes and equally demanding outdoor adventures.

Ashley Howard

Senior Lawyer

Ashley joined Allison’s team in September 2022 as a Paralegal and, upon her admission in December 2022 was promoted to Lawyer. Ashley has worked in all facets of Allison’s team including by-law drafting, registrations and consolidations, levy recovery, providing complex legal advice in relation to lot and common property boundaries, standard of repairs, defamation, interpretation of by-laws, and nuisance, and assisting the senior team with litigation matters.

Ashley is now a Senior Lawyer running litigation matters in her own right. Ashley is a valued member of the team with a wealth of information to assist our paralegals and lawyers.

Ashley is an Associate Member of the Australian College of Strata Lawyers. Areas of focus Strata & Community Title Advice Strata & Community Title Dispute Resolution By-laws & Management Statements Levy Recovery Qualifications Grad Diploma Legal Professional Practice, University of New South Wales Bachelor of Laws with Distinction, University of Wollongong Bachelor of Arts (Sociology & Philosophy) with Distinction, University of Wollongong Outside the office, Ashley enjoys pampering her beloved cat and getting lost in a good book.

Andrew Fairfield

Team Leader By-law Registrations

Andrew was an experienced commercial and corporate law firm paralegal when he joined Allison’s team in March 2024 as a Paralegal. Upon his admission to the NSW Supreme Court on 27 May 2025, Andrew was promoted to Lawyer. Since joining the team Andrew’s focus has been on all facets of by-laws and management statements while also supporting our more senior lawyers.

In addition, Andrew has utilized his skills in legal research and analysis to assist with novel strata law issues and co-author the article “Are Your Neighbours a Nuisance – A Guide on How to Deal with Them” published by the NSW Law Society Journal in 2024.

Andrew is now applying his experience in registering, consolidation, and drafting by-laws as the team leader of our by-law registration team overseeing two paralegals. Areas of focus Strata & Community Title Advice By-laws & Management Statements Building Management & Facilities Management Agreements Qualifications Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, College of Law Bachelor of Laws, Macquarie University. Bachelor of Arts (Moden History), Macquarie University. Outside the office, Andrew enjoys monthly movie nights with his school mates, miniature modelling, organising get-togethers with university friends, and is always looking for time to take his three labradors (Rosie, Nelson and Molly) to the dog beach.

Paulina Mena

Lawyer

Paulina joined Allison’s team in 2023 as a Paralegal while completing her Diploma in Law. Upon her admission on 2025, Paulina was promoted to Lawyer. As part of the team Paulina’s focus has been on by-laws and management statements with more recent experience on dispute resolution and providing timely strata and community title advice to lot owners, owners corporations and community associations and assisting in mediations.

Paulina previously practiced as a Lawyer in Chile where she focused on civil and commercial matters, before moving to Australia in 2018. Paulina speaks Spanish fluently.

Areas of focus Strata & Community Title Advice Strata & Community Title Dispute Resolution By-laws & Management Statements Building Management & Facilities Management Agreements Qualifications Diploma in Law, University of Sydney / Legal Profession Administration Board Bachelor of Laws, Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso, Chile Advanced Diploma in Leadership and Management, Greenwich Management College, Sydney. Outside work, Paulina enjoys weight lifting, hiking, watching documentaries and dancing.

Laura Skillicorn

Lawyer

Laura joined Allison’s team in April 2024 as a Paralegal while completing her Diploma in Law. Upon her admission in April 2026, Laura was promoted to Lawyer.

Laura’s focus has been on preparing, consolidating and registering by-laws and management statements. Laura has also provided advice in relation to by-law interpretation and has experience in litigation running levy recovery proceedings and assisting our more senior lawyers with complex litigation matters.

Laura’s background in project administration for a building consultancy has ensured that she understands technical building terms and brings her organisational skills to her work.

Qualifications Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, College of Law Diploma in Law, Legal Profession Administration Board Certificate IV in Business Administration, TAFE NSW Bachelor of Ancient History, Egypt and the Near East, Macquarie University Areas of focus Strata & Community Title Advice Strata & Community Title Dispute Resolution By-laws & Management Statements Levy Recovery

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Sydney Office

Suites 101 & 102, 74 Pitt Street Sydney NSW 2000

02 9159 3970

Newcastle Office

591 Glebe Road Adamstown NSW 2289

02 4032 7990