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NORTH METROPOLITAN LAW SOCIETY
2026 Committee Members
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Sarah Newman
Co-President
Sarah has over 26 years’ experience in property law, having worked across residential and commercial conveyancing, leasing and property matters, advising clients ranging from homeowners to corporate landlords and tenants. Sarah is a strong believer in plain English and practical advice, she is passionate about building lasting client and professional relationships. Sarah is the Principal Lawyer and Managing Director of SYN Property Law.
Sarah has been actively involved with North Metropolitan Law Society since 2010 and has served as Regional President since 2021. She is also a Law Society of NSW Specialist Accredited Practitioner in Property Law and has presented the Law Society’s Conveyancing Essentials workshop since 2022.
Lauren Absalom
Co-President
Lauren is an experienced wills and estates lawyer with more than 10 years’ experience across private practice and the government sector. She has a particular focus on complex estate planning, trusts, SMSFs, companies and asset protection, as well as estate administration. Lauren is a strong advocate for practical, informed and compassionate legal advice. Lauren is a Special Counsel at Mourd Evans Lawyers.
Lauren is a Councillor of the Law Society of NSW and Co-Chair of its Elder Law, Capacity & Succession Committee. She is also the NSW representative on the Law Council of Australia’s National Elder Law & Succession Committee, Chair of the Licensing Committee and Deputy Chair of the Fidelity Fund Management Committee. Lauren is an Affiliate Member of STEP.
Brenton McIntyre
Treasurer
Brenton practises in commercial litigation, dispute resolution, debt recovery and insolvency. He has experience across both private practice and in-house legal teams, acting for a broad range of clients in matters ranging from straightforward contractual disputes to complex commercial litigation and insolvency proceedings. Brenton is a Senior Associate at Mangioni Biggs + Co.
Brenton has acted in proceedings involving debt recovery, winding-up and bankruptcy applications, insolvent transactions, contractual disputes, commercial loans, directors’ guarantees and other complex commercial matters. He has appeared for clients across a wide range of State and Federal Courts and Tribunals throughout Australia.
With broad experience across commercial disputes and insolvency, Brenton brings a practical and commercially focused approach to resolving complex legal issues.
Lin Zhang
Secretary
Lin is an experienced property lawyer with over 15 years’ experience advising individuals, businesses, corporations, entities and foreign investors. She has worked across a range of legal areas, including property, family law, wills and estates and notarial services, and founded her own legal practice in Chatswood in 2012. Lin is a Partner at Longton Blackwell.
Fluent in English and Mandarin, Lin is known for her practical approach, strong communication skills and commitment to building lasting client relationships.
Lin has been actively involved with the North Metropolitan Law Society through community and committee work and was elected Secretary in 2024. She holds a Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws from the University of Sydney and is a member of the Law Society of NSW and Notary Society of NSW.
Jemima Barlow
Young Lawyers Delegate
Jemima is a solicitor driven by her desire to resolve disputes through alternative dispute resolution methods (negotiation, mediation, arbitration) and litigation. Jemima practices in estate litigation, focusing on contested wills and estates. Jemima's experience ranges across estate planning, succession, family, property and commercial litigation. Jemima is a Solicitor at Armstrong Legal.
In 2024 Jemima was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and to the High Court of Australia. Jemima has a combined Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts majoring in Social Justice.
Jemima believe there are opportunities to make an impact in every matter and every day through respect, kindness, an open mind and effort.
Emily Sun
Student Liaison
Emily is currently completing a Bachelor of Laws and Commerce-Law as a Dalyell Scholar at University of Sydney.
Deborah Ens
General Committee
Deborah has over 27 years experience in personal injury law acting for injured persons from all states within Australia. Deborah understand a client's injury affects not only him or her but the entire family and all aspects of his/her life. Deborah understand the concern about the long term effects of an injury on a person's future and takes a personal 'hands on' approach to resolve claims successfully and as expeditiously as possible without compromising his/her rights. Deborah is a Partner of Deborah Ens Lawyers.
Specialties: Law Society of NSW Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury. Specialising in insurance and compenstaion claims including work injuries, car accidents, slips, falls, and product liability. Superannuation & Disablement Insurance claims.
Hebe Wang
General Committee
Hebe is currently completing her Bachelor of Laws and Actuarial Studies at UNSW.