Burbank & Brown
Nowra, South Coast & Shoalhaven Lawyers
About Us
People you can trust
Burbank & Brown Lawyers and Conveyancers are experienced in life and law. We know how difficult a brush with the law, a court appearance, separation or passing of a family member can be if and when it happens. We will be there for you.
Incorporating MDV Family Lawyers, we are one of the largest law practices in the region, and are highly experienced in areas of law that you need during all stages of your life. We will support our clients towards a favourable resolution.
If you are seeking realistic, honest and compassionate legal advice, Burbank & Brown are the legal team for you.
What We Do
Nowra, South Coast & Wollongong
We are based in Nowra in the beautiful Shoalhaven region, and assist clients on the NSW South Coast as far south as Ulladulla and Moruya, and north to Shellharbour, Wollongong and Sydney.
We understand that during all stages of life our clients may need us. Whether you are buying your first home, selling to downsize or upsize, dealing with a marriage breakdown, a brush with the law, a traffic offence, a criminal matter or making or updating your Will, we understand and can guide you through the process.
Why Choose Us
Our dedication to particular specialisms of law – namely family law, estate planning, conveyancing and criminal law – provides our clients with confidence that they are seeking advice from, and being represented by experts in these fields. As specialists, we are highly experienced in family law processes and supporting clients to a favourable resolution.
Having a small, dedicated and talented team allows us to offer clients a more personalised service. If you are seeking realistic, honest and compassionate legal advice and representation then Burbank & Brown are the legal team for you.
When dealing with the courts it is important that you are represented by a professional legal team with a solid reputation. We have worked hard to build a positive reputation with both the courts and other law firms in the Nowra and Shoalhaven region. When choosing Burbank & Brown you can feel 100% confident that a respected firm is representing your interests.
Family law matters can be stressful, personal and highly emotional. Our aim at Burbank & Brown is to support and guide you through this difficult time by providing professional, responsive and effective legal advice at all times. You can trust that your privacy will be respected, and that at all times you will feel comfortable and confident with our representation.
Burbank & Brown takes pride in the provision of effective, compassionate and realistic legal advice in all areas of the law. We take our responsibility towards our clients very seriously. We want you to feel 100% confident that we are representing your interests at all times and that we will work tirelessly towards the best possible result for you.
We are locals representing locals.
Melissa Dianne Vine
Principal Solicitor
Qualifications: LLB, BCom, GDLP, FDRP, LLM (Applied Law-Family Law)
Melissa graduated from the University of Wollongong and has practiced in the Sydney CBD, Wollongong and her home town of Nowra before making the bold decision to start her own law firm. Melissa is passionate about exceeding clients expectations.
Following her admission Melissa practised in the areas of conveyancing and civil litigation, wills and estates and family law. Following the opening of MDV Family Lawyers focus shifted to the provision of specialist family law services. In 2023 Burbank & Brown Lawyers and Conveyancers incorporated MDV Family Lawyers and diversified our service offering to more than just family law. In October 2025 Melissa purchased Waldron Schofield Solicitors to compliment the existing practice and further expand the service offering of Burbank & Brown into the Bay & Basin Area.
Melissa is a member of the NSW Law Society, the Women Lawyers Association of NSW, a Specialist Domestic Violence Panel Solicitor and an accredited Independent Children’s Lawyer. Melissa sits on the board of ROCC for Women and is a committee member of the Shoalhaven Business Chamber. Melissa also has post graduate qualifications as a registered Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, a Masters in Applied Law – Family Law and is currently completing her Masters in Applied Law - Wills & Estates.
Anthony Gabriele
Associate Solicitor - Wills & Estates and Conveyancing
Qualifications: LLB, GDLP
Anthony has a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Wollongong. Prior to his admission, Anthony spent many years with the Practice assisting our solicitors and senior associates before being admitted as a solicitor.
Anthony now practices as a solicitor exclusively in the areas of Conveyancing, Commercial Leasing and Wills & Estates.
Brent Strong
Solicitor - Criminal Law and General Litigation
Qualifications: LLB, GDLP
Brent has strong ties to the shoalhaven local area being Berry born and bred. Brent has a Bachelor of Law from Deakin University and a wealth of experience working under tight deadlines and high pressure after a successful career as an Executive Chef, both at home and abroad prior to his career in law.
Brent is willing to go above and beyond to ensure you are always looked after with a strong court presence and sound advocacy skills. Brent practices in the areas of Criminal Law, Commercial and Building Disputes, Debt Recovery and General Litigation.
Kylie Barrett
Solicitor - Family Law and Will & Estates
Qualifications: LLB, GDLP
Kylie is a shoalhaven local with in excess of ten years expereince in the legal sector. After holding varying roles as a paralegal in the areas of family law, wills & estates and probate Kylie completed her law degree. Alongside her law degree, Kylie holds a wealth of life experience ensuring her clients are given the most cost effective, commercially sensible legal advice to guide them towards a successful resolution.
Kylie practices in the areas of of Family Law and Wills & Estates and is an active legal advice volunteer with the Women's Health Centre, the WDVCAS Legal Advice Scheme and a Family Law Legal Aid Panel Practitioner.
Colin O’Neill
Chief Financial Officer
Colin has over 35 years of experience in all things financial and accounting. Before joining the Practice Colin worked in both commercial and not-for-profit business sectors where he developed and grew his skill set focused on management accounting, cost accounting, financial accounting and financial report writing.
One of Colin’s greatest strengths is being able to turn numbers into words, understood at all levels. Colin is responsible for managing the Practice's business and client financials. Colin has also offered his experience in several volunteering roles including board representation as treasurer for sporting clubs and school parents & citizens committees. Colin holds several accounting qualifications including a master’s degree from the University of New England, Armidale.
Michelle McGarry
Administration Manager
Michelle is our resident Administration Manager and your first contact at Burbank & Brown. Michelle is a lifetime Shoalhaven local with a wealth of experience in customer service and client management. Michelle’s experience allows her to identify quickly and accurately which one of our lawyers is best able to assist in meeting your client needs.
Michelle is a Justice of the Peace.
Jaimi Keany
Receptionist
Jaimi is the first person you will likely speak with when making contact with our Office. Jaimi has a wealth of administration experience drawing from her past experience in real estate and office administration. Jaimi is also a Shoalhaven Local and responsible for keeping our staff and clients expertly organised and running on time.
Maryana Nandi
Legal Support Officer
Maryana has joined us having six years of prior legal and administration experience. Maryana holds a Bachelor of Laws from her home country of Brazil and is currently completing her her Diploma of Law here in Australia.
Maryana assists our solicitors in the areas of family law and wills & estates.
Tameka Gogerly
Legal Support Officer
Tameka brings over a decade of administration and office experience to the Office. Tameka is further in the final stages of completing her Juris Doctor qualification with Macquarie University with the view to transitioning into practice as a lawyer.
Tameka is currently assisting in the areas of estate litigation, family law and wills & estate drafting.
Serge Markareh
Conveyancing Assistant
Serge is currently studying an advanced Diploma of Conveyancing through the Monarch Institute. Serge has an extensive background in providing general legal assistance and administration in the areas of law and real estate practice.
Serge remains committed to progressing his conveyancing career and is genuinely motivated to assist with the growth and ongoing improvement of our conveyancing division.
Mackenzie James
Trainee Legal Assistant
Mackenzie was successful in securing a place in our Trainee Legal Assistant Program for 2026. Mackenzie has taken a gap year from her university studies in law to complete the Program and obtain a Certificate III in Legal Services.
Mackenzie is a valuable member of our administration team assisting our staff and clients in all areas of law with administration tasks.
TESTIMONIALS
what our clients say
“The moment I met Melissa I knew she was the person I wanted in my corner. She listened to me without interruption, then after some questions explained the options available and possible outcomes. She was always straightforward, reassuring and positive. I would recommend to anyone wanting a good solicitor.”
- YM, St George’s Basin
“Melissa Vine came highly recommended by a number of people and I am pleased that I took their advice; she is definitely the lady you want to represent you. Professional and caring, I was supported through a very difficult time, and my matter settled in a timely fashion with a great result.”
- MS, Ulladulla
“I thank you and your team sincerely for all your hard work and support. I couldn’t of found a more dedicated and professional firm with honest and child-focussed people. I am so pleased with the outcome.”
- KC, Bomaderry
“Melissa, thank you for all of your hard work and assistance in all of my family matters. Because of your firm, I get to spend Christmas with my children and share in their life.”
- CS, Worrigee, near Nowra
“I would like to thank Melissa and the team for their ongoing support and professional assistance with a custody battle over the car of my two boys. I felt supported and reassured throughout the whole court process. I would strongly recommend MDV Family Lawyers to people who need assistance with any family law issues.”
- BD, North Nowra
“A huge thank you to Melissa and your team. We have been delighted with your guidance, advice and representations throughout. You were relentless in your strive for what is “right” and that was very comforting at such an emotional time. Thank you for your professionalism, your passion and your skills.”
- SV, Sydney
“Extremely professional and understanding, during what has been the most stressful time of my life. Melissa constantly kept me up to date with the progress of my complex case and was very knowledgeable and efficient, always advising me in the most cost effective way possible. The end result exceeded my expectation.”
- FA, Bomaderry, near Nowra
