Our People

RALPH GALILEE
Managing Partner - Sydney

Ralph Galilee was admitted to practise in 1975.

Ralph established Galilee & Associates (as it then was) in Sydney in 1994 to provide high quality legal services to the mortgage industry. In May 2005 the firm changed its name to Galilee Solicitors.

Under his stewardship the firm has undertaken a national expansion programme in recent years underpinned by strong business growth.

Ralph has extensive and substantial commercial experience having prior to commencement of Galilee & Associates in 1994 managed the Legal Divisions of The National Mutual Life Association (now AXA) in Victoria and separately in New South Wales over a total period of 16 years.

Ralph has been particularly involved since 1977 in lending and conveyancing areas covering purchase and mortgage and recovery actions affecting residential properties, international hotels, retail and industrial complexes and nursing homes.

PAUL FABIAN
Partner

Paul Fabian, Partner, was admitted as a Solicitor in New South Wales in 1982 and started the practice of Paul C Fabian and Co in Sydney in 1993.

Paul's firm was principally engaged in mortgage lending work for a number of second tier lenders, operating mostly in New South Wales.

Paul C Fabian and Co merged with Galilee Solicitors in July 2007.

Paul is well-known and highly respected within the mortgage community. He has been a sponsor of many national annual mortgage industry conferences and has contributed to the growth and success of the Mortgage Finance Association of Australasia Limited (MFAA).

He has a great knowledge of the industry and industry practices and personalities.

ASHLEY SIMPSON
Chief Operating Officer - Sydney

Ashley holds Diplomas in Commerce and Information Technology and is a qualified Accountant and Chartered Company Secretary.

Ashley was employed by Ampol for a total of fifteen (15) years from April 1972 until 1987 and held a variety of positions ranging from Accounts Supervisor to Group Cost Accountant, managing a budget in excess of $900m.

After leaving Ampol he joined Hoyts in 1987 until 2000, once again in a number of positions, ranging from overseeing the private companies of the Fink family to the last being Financial Controller of Global Television Studios, a subsidiary of the Hoyts Group.

He left the Hoyts Group in 2000 to join Galilee Solicitors where he has worked since.

Ashley has been responsible for a range of improvements to our operations, perhaps the most significant of these being the development and introduction of our centralised electronic business system 'GOLD', the establishment of our branch offices and the formalisation of our accounts and accounting arrangements.

LUKE OWENS
Partner, Manager Professional Services - Melbourne

Luke was admitted as a Solicitor in NSW in 1998, and has been with the firm since 1999, initially based in the Sydney office.

Luke was appointed as Manager Professional Services Victoria commencing January 2009.

Luke has gained extensive experience in all aspects of residential and commercial loan transactions and mortgage recovery, and has also conducted a wide range of general commercial litigation. He is relationship manager for several commercial lending programmes for the Firm, and also conducts commercial and retail leasing, property development, commercial litigation and insolvency work.

In his time with the Firm, Luke has developed significant knowledge of the mortgage and property industries.

BRAD BOOTH
Partner, Manager - Brisbane

Brad was initially admitted as a Solicitor in New South Wales and subsequently returned to Queensland in 1999. Brad was appointed Manager of our Brisbane office upon establishment of the office on 1 September 2003.

Brad has gained considerable experience in Banking & Finance, Property Law, Insurance and Risk Management both in New South Wales and Queensland. Under Brad’s management the Brisbane office has grown to become one of the most respected specialist banking and finance firms in Queensland.

Brad is an active member of the Queensland MFAA and provides a broad range of advice to Lenders, Mortgage Managers and brokers. Consistent with the firm’s strong focus on Client Service, Brad has strong business development and relationship management skills.

MARK LUMLEY
Partner, Manager - Adelaide

Mark joined our Adelaide office in May 2004.

He was admitted as a Solicitor in New South Wales in December 1994 and admitted as a Solicitor in the Supreme Court of South Australia in April 2004.

Mark’s background includes a wide range of commercial experience. Of particular interest is the 8 years Mark spent in Broken Hill working as a commercial lawyer for a local legal firm. In his role as commercial solicitor, Mark has acted for clients in conveyancing, commercial leasing, commercial litigation, Wills/ probate and mortgage preparation matters.

Mark’s previous employers were panel solicitors for a large local Credit Union. In that role Mark was responsible for quality control of mortgage documentation, as well as settlement and registration processes.

In addition he has had experience in acting for mortgagees in regard to mortgagee sales where the mortgagor has defaulted on the mortgage. As well as managing our Adelaide office, Mark provides legal support for the loan documentation aspect of the business and is also available to apply his expertise in the commercial field.

IMOGEN DINEEN
Senior Associate, Manager - Hobart

Imogen obtained a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University of Tasmania in 1998 and was admitted to practise in 1999.

She has strong experience in property-related matters primarily involving conveyancing transactions of both residential and business properties, acting for both vendors and purchasers, leasing of both commercial and residential premises, acting on behalf of both Lessee and Lessor, and general property law related transactions.

Imogen gained extensive experience in Tasmania working for a well respected Tasmanian Firm as a Panel Solicitor for a substantial National Lender prior to living, working and travelling overseas.

On her return to Tasmania Imogen joined Galilee Solicitors as a Solicitor in our Hobart office in February 2005. Imogen was appointed as Manager of our Hobart office in February 2006.

MARTINE LACOURT
Solicitor, Manager - Canberra

Martine was admitted as a solicitor in New South Wales in 2002 and in the ACT in 2004.

She first started practising in New South Wales but relocated to Canberra permanently with her family in early 2004.

She has worked in a variety of areas of law including personal injury litigation, debt recovery, commercial litigation, conveyancing and criminal matters. When Martine first moved to Canberra, she worked for the ACT Government Solicitor on the first phase of the Coronial Enquiry into the Canberra Bushfires. During 2005 and 2006 she assisted in establishing the Australian Government Asbestos Litigation Unit. She has also worked in the insurance industry on claims for major property damage and personal injury.

Prior to entering the legal profession, Martine worked in Radio as the National Research Manager for one of the major Australian radio networks and has also worked for two major banks. Most of her family have lived in Canberra for many years and she has developed an excellent understanding of the unique Canberra market.