Dwyer Legal Warrnambool

01/06/2026

Meet the Team!

Our Directors:
Dwyer Legal is operated by three Directors, James Ryan, Lucy Doherty and Eliza Ward.

▪️James Ryan
Director & Lawyer

James practises in the areas of Commercial and Property Law, Wills and Powers of Attorney, and Deceased Estate Litigation, including Will disputes. He is a member of the Law Institute of Victoria and brings a practical, client-focused approach to resolving complex legal matters.

Outside the office, James is married with three children. He enjoys playing golf in his spare time.

▪️Lucy Doherty
Director & Family Lawyer

Lucy has practised in the areas of Family Law, Employment Law and Commercial Litigation in Warrnambool since 2007. She joined Dwyer Legal in early 2020 and joined James as Director of the firm on 1 July 2023.

Having grown up in the Hawkesdale–Penshurst region, Lucy maintains strong ties to Western Victoria and is passionate about supporting her local community. She has volunteered with a number of organisations, including Koroit and District Kindergarten, the Western District Young Lawyers Association, and Moyne Health Services, where she served as a Director.

Outside of work, Lucy enjoys spending time with her three children and supporting them in their various sporting pursuits.

▪️Eliza Ward
Director & Lawyer

Eliza practises primarily in Family Law and a range of general legal matters. Prior to focusing on Family Law, she gained extensive experience in Property and Commercial Law, Wills and Estates, and Powers of Attorney.

Born and raised in Warrnambool, Eliza completed her Law Degree at the University of Melbourne before returning to her hometown to raise her family and serve the local community. She is committed to providing practical, compassionate legal advice and enjoys working with both new and long-standing clients.

Eliza was admitted to practice as an Australian Legal Practitioner on 7 August 2018 and became a Director of the firm on 1 July 2025.

If you need legal advice or assistance, our experienced team is here to help. Contact us today to discuss your matter and explore your options.
Phone 5562 1044

06/05/2026

Join our team!

- LEGAL ASSISTANT -

Send your Resume and Cover Letter to [email protected]

Applications close Wednesday 20th May 2026

04/03/2026

Congratulations to staff member Charlotte Rees who was admitted to practice as a lawyer by the Supreme Court of Victoria on Tuesday 24th February.
Admission to practice is the final step in the journey to becoming a fully qualified solicitor.
Charlotte works in our Litigation and Debt recovery team at Dwyer Legal.
Well done Charlotte!

02/03/2026

Welcome to the team - JOEL KAVANAGH

Joel joined our team at Dwyer Legal in 2026 and primarily assists clients with commercial, property and complex succession planning matters.
He was admitted to practice in 2016 and has a wide range of experience in these areas.
Joel has a keen interest in achieving practical and cost-effective solutions for his clients.
He holds degrees in Law and Commerce.
Outside the office, Joel enjoys spending time with his young family and going on outdoor adventures, including camping, riding his motorbike and much more.

19/02/2026

A huge congratulations to our team member Charlotte Rees on her graduation yesterday - all that hard work has paid off!
Charlotte has worked at Dwyer Legal since June 2024 and is part of our Litigation and Debt Recovery Team.
Well done Charlotte

12/02/2026

At Dwyer Legal we understand that legal matters can feel overwhelming.

That’s why we provide clear and practical advice you can rely on.
Our experienced team proudly assists clients across a wide range of areas, including:

-Property Law & Conveyancing
-Divorce & Family Law
-Litigation & Dispute Resolution
-Probate & Deceased Estates
-Wills & Estate Planning
-Commercial Leases
-Business Sales & Purchases
-Personal Injury Claims

Whether you’re buying a home, planning for the future, navigating a family matter, or find yourself in a dispute, we are committed to protecting your interests and achieving the best possible outcome.

With a reputation built on trust, integrity and results, you can feel confident knowing your matter is in capable hands.

For more information on any of our services, phone 03 5562 1044 or email [email protected]

30/01/2026

Welcome back Anna!

We are excited to welcome Anna back to the office from 2nd February 2026.

Anna will be working in our Warrnambool Office on Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays.

For information on any of our services, phone 5562 1044

18/12/2025

11/11/2025

Congratulations to our Director, Lucy Doherty who has been recognised for the fourth time in the 2026 Doyles Guide rankings of leading family lawyers, and our family law team who have also been recognised as a firm!

27/10/2025

Our much loved Liv got married on Saturday. What a gorgeous couple Shaun and Liv are! 🩷
Liv was lucky enough to have her stunning photos taken by another much loved member of our team, Jess 📷 - Sunday First