About Us

How I got here

I didn’t start in commercial law. My early years were in criminal law, then acting for injured workers, then legal costs assessment and commercial litigation.

That turned out to be useful. Litigation shows you what happens when a contract is badly drafted or a deal is rushed. Costs assessment shows you exactly where legal fees go and how often they go nowhere useful. By the time I moved into commercial practice, I had a fair idea of what clients were paying for and what they weren’t.

In 2016, on maternity leave with my second child, I started an e-commerce business. Suddenly I was the one reading supplier terms at 11pm and trying to work out what a clause meant for my cash flow. It made me a better lawyer. Most of my clients sit in that seat every day.

Then, in 2018 I left corporate law and started Cardillo Commercial Lawyers. In 2019 I became a NSW Law Society Accredited Specialist in Business Law, the first woman in Newcastle to hold that accreditation.

What I do

I act for business owners, directors and not-for-profits across Newcastle, the Hunter and Sydney. Most of my work is:

• buying and selling businesses
• retail and commercial leases
• commercial contracts and terms of trade
• property and conveyancing
• SMSFs and limited recourse borrowing arrangements
• not-for-profit and charity governance
• employment
• AML/CTF compliance

How I work

• You deal with me. Every matter is run and signed off by me.
• You get an answer. If something in a contract is a problem, I’ll tell you and tell you what I’d do about it. If it isn’t worth arguing over, I’ll tell you that too.
• You know the cost before we start. You’ll get a quote or estimate up front and I’ll tell you early if the scope changes.
• I work with your accountant. They know your numbers. I’ll speak with them before documents are finalised so the legal documents reflect the structure they’ve advised on. Tax and duty advice stays with them. The legal side stays with me.

Outside the office

Newcastle is home. I was on the GenCollective executive committee from 2018 to 2023, including three years as Vice President. I’ve also been a committee member of PULSE (an HMRI fundraising committee) and FutureNet.

I have a fountain pen and Japanese stationery collection that is larger than strictly necessary.