Our People

Our People

Shane Ryan has assembled a formidable team of solicitors, experts and consultants to manage the litigation process.

Ryan Legal works with the finest Barristers, Medical Advisers, Forensic Accountants, Actuaries, Engineers and Accident Investigators from across Australia.

Shane Ryan Principal

After practicing as a solicitor in several large city firms, Shane returned to Mildura in 1990. At a large Mildura law firm, Shane was appointed as Partner dealing in work-related accidents, transport accidents, public liability claims and medical negligence matters in Victoria and other states.

In 2008, Shane established his own boutique practice dealing exclusively in personal injury claims. Shane has a particular interest in managing claims arising from accidents causing catastrophic injury and death. Shane has been the solicitor for many people affected by the Cardross tragedy and the Kerang rail disaster including many other high profile cases.

Memberships	• Australian Lawyers Alliance • American Trial Lawyers Association • Law Institute of Victoria • Served as President of North-West Law Association of Victoria
Qualifications	• Bachelors of Laws • Bachelor of Jurisprudence
Admissions	• Supreme Court of Victoria (1986) • Supreme Court of New South Wales (1991)

back to top

Elisabeth Ryan Solicitor

Elisabeth is a member of the select team that practices in the area of personal injury law.

Working in conjunction with Shane on a number of local and interstate matters, Elisabeth has a wide range of clients but has a specific interest in assisting clients with transport and work-related injuries, particularly nervous-shock claims.

Qualifications	• Bachelor of Arts (Hons) • Master of Laws (Legal Practice, Skills and Ethics)
Admissions	• Supreme Court of Victoria

back to top

Ian Ryan Consultant

A stalwart of the Mildura community, Ian is a very well-known and respected legal practitioner. Ian has practiced law in Mildura and the surrounding district since the late 1950s. Ian's legal experience is broad with extensive knowledge of family law, wills and probate, litigation and other related matters.

Ian currently practices as a consultant to the personal injury team contributing the benefit of his significant legal knowledge, experience and skill.

Qualifications	• Bachelor of Laws
Admissions	• Supreme Court of Victoria (1986)

back to top

Rebecca Dal Pra Solicitor

Rebecca has extensive experience in both nursing and law, and worked as a senior personal injury lawyer at Melbourne law firm Ryan Carlisle Thomas before joining Ryan Legal.

She started her nursing career at Northpark Private Hospital where she worked as a theatre nurse, and has worked in operating theatres across Melbourne, predominantly at St. Vincent's Private Hospital and in England where she was in charge of a vascular theatre.

In 2003, Rebecca completed a Bachelor of Laws and was subsequently admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Victoria. Rebecca works with clients injured in workplace and transport accidents.

Memberships	• Australian Lawyers Alliance • Law Institute of Victoria
Qualifications	• Bachelors of Laws • Bachelor of Applied Science (Nursing) • Post Graduate Diploma in Perioperative Nursing • Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management
Admissions	• Supreme Court of Victoria (2005)

back to top

Sophia Blosfelds Solicitor

Sophia has worked as a senior lawyer in the Northern Territory. She has a wide range of litigation and court experience and her history includes legal work as an outreach solicitor in communities across the Top End.

Qualifications	• Bachelors of Laws • Bachelor of Arts
Admissions	• Supreme Court of Victoria

back to top

Fran Ibson-Turner Law Clerk

Fran is a lawyer from the UK who has recently moved to Mildura. She has worked in the personal injury department of UK law firm Williamsons Solicitors where she handled car accidents, work accidents and public liability cases. Fran is currently in the process of completing bridging subjects in order to gain admission to practice as a lawyer in Australia.

back to top

Belinda Gemits Law Clerk

Belinda is a law clerk with 13 years of personal injury experience. She is an integral part of the Ryan Legal team, working exclusively in personal injury and in close partnership with Shane Ryan.

back to top

Josie Zrna Paralegal

Josie started her legal career at age 17 and has a broad legal background having worked in conveyancing, civil litigation and personal injury law. Josie was a key member of the team that worked on the Cardross and Kerang cases.

back to top

Diana Giugno Paralegal

Diana has worked with Shane Ryan for 10 years as a paralegal. She assists with the Supreme Court practice and has been part of the legal team on some of Ryan Legal´s most successful cases.

Diana is the latest recipient of the Ryan Legal Scholarship and will be commencing her law degree in 2011.

back to top

Nicole Stone Paralegal

Nicole started working with Shane Ryan straight out of school as an office junior. Six years later she is now an experienced paralegal who assists solicitors with the preparation of cases for trial in the Supreme Court. Nicole is part of the team supporting clients who have suffered workplace accidents.

back to top

Jennine Lapthorne Paralegal

Jennine is the newest member of our paralegal team and prior to joining Ryan Legal worked as an Executive Support Officer at the Loddon Mallee Department of Education and Early Childhood Development. Jennine is responsible for arranging client appointments with medical experts and assists the solicitors working in the area of Medical Negligence and Public Liability.

back to top

Merrin Panuccio Practice Manager

Merrin has worked with Shane Ryan for the past 10 years in the accounts and administration department. Merrin is responsible for the day to day running of our firm.

back to top

Lauren Berry Receptionist

Lauren looks after Reception at Ryan Legal and is the first person you will meet when you walk in the door. She is currently studying for a Certificate III in Business Administration Legal Studies and we look forward to her joining the paralegal team on completion of her course.

back to top back to top

Contact Us