top of page

Justeen Dormer

Principal Lawyer & Director

Justeen Dormer began her career at Ashurst (formerly Blake Dawson), a top-tier law firm where she developed a strong foundation in complex commercial dispute resolution.  As the Principal Lawyer and Director of Dormer Stanhope, Justeen leads a premier boutique law firm founded on the principle of delivering top-tier legal expertise with personalised client service.  With a distinguished career spanning nearly three decades, Justeen brings a level of strategic insight and experience typically associated with major national firms.  This background provides Dormer Stanhope’s clients with a distinct advantage: the strategic rigour of a top-tier lawyer combined with the direct, hands-on attention that only a boutique law firm can offer.


At Dormer Stanhope, the client-lawyer relationship is paramount.  Justeen leads a capable team of senior associates, graduate lawyers, paralegals, and expert consultants, including a former Ashurst Partner.  However, she ensures that every matter receives her direct oversight and strategic input.  Cases are not delegated to junior staff; instead, clients benefit from Justeen's extensive experience from start to finish.  This approach guarantees that complex legal challenges are met with seasoned expertise and unwavering commitment.


While specialisation has become the standard in the legal profession, Justeen maintains that a broad and deep understanding across multiple legal disciplines makes for a more effective litigator.  Her comprehensive knowledge allows her to identify intricate legal issues and craft innovative solutions that others might miss.  This interdisciplinary approach has proven invaluable in delivering successful outcomes for her clients.


Justeen’s core practice areas include:

  • Commercial Equity:  Resolving complex business and financial disputes with strategic precision.

  • Succession Law & Estate Disputes:  Expertly navigating contested probate, enduring guardianship disputes, family provision claims, and challenges to wills.  Justeen has achieved excellent outcomes in cases involving informal wills, unconscionable conduct, estoppel, and matters concerning minors or those under incapacity.

  • Taxation & Corporations Law:  Advising on complex tax matters (including tax crime), corporate structures, asset protection, and corporate governance.


Justeen has represented clients from a broad range of industries, including construction, manufacturing, information technology, and professional services.  She has extensive experience in all forms of dispute resolution, including litigation in various courts across New South Wales, Victoria, and Queensland, as well as domestic and international arbitration.


In 2008, Justeen established her own boutique firm before founding Dormer Stanhope Lawyers in 2012 to focus on commercial equity and dispute resolution.  Over the last decade, she has cultivated significant expertise in succession law and estate disputes.


Justeen is a member of both The Tax Institute and the Australian Institute of Company Directors.  She completed the International Directors Course with the AICD in Dubai in 2019.  She is dedicated to continuous learning, regularly attending industry events like the Blue Mountains Law Society Succession Conference and completing further studies, including courses on "Understanding Dementia" and "Advance Care Planning" with the University of Technology Sydney.


Dormer Stanhope Team Member

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Queensland University of Technology (Bachelor of Arts), 1997 (BA)

  • Queensland University of Technology (Bachelor of Laws with Honours by Award), 1997 (LLB Hons)

  • Graduate of the International Directors Course, AICD Dubai 2019 (GAICD)

  • Admitted to Supreme Court of NSW, 1998

APPOINTMENTS AND MEMBERSHIPS

  • Member of the Law Society of NSW

  • Affiliate Member of STEP

  • Affiliate Member of The Tax Institute

  • Member of Australian Institute of Company Directors

SELECTED CASES

  • Mackinlay v Holliday (No 2) [2023] NSWSC 1024

  • Mackinlay v Holliday [2023] NSWSC 949

  • Nelson v Health Care Complaints Commission (No 2) (Costs) [2023] NSWCATOD 93

  • Nelson v Health Care Complaints Commission [2023] NSWCATOD 5

  • JS and SD v Nationwide News Pty Ltd, Hornsby Local Court Unreported decision, Magistrate Denes, 17 December 2021, non-publication and suppression order for high-profile criminal case

  • In the matter of Pak Brothers Pty Ltd [2021] NSWSC 1247

  • Moriah War Memorial College Association v Augustine Robert Nosti [2020] NSWSC 942

  • Moriah War Memorial College v Nosti [2020] NSWSC 603

  • In the matter of Australian Worldwide Pty Ltd [2019] NSWSC 1475

  • Burton v Prior (No 2) [2019] NSWSC 518

  • Burton v Prior [2019] NSWSC 518

  • Australian Worldwide Pty Ltd v AW Exports Pty Ltd [2018] NSWSC 1632

  • In the matter of Australian Worldwide Pty Ltd [2017] NSWSC 1641

  • Turnbull v Turnbull [2017] NSWSC 1316

  • Cassaniti v Ruse NSW Pty Limited [2017] NSWSC 499

  • Cassaniti v Ruse NSW Pty Ltd [2017] NSWCA 285

  • Armstrong Strategic Management and Marketing Pty Limited v Expense Reduction Analysts Group Pty Ltd (No 10) [2017] NSWSC 16

  • Esplanade Wollongong Unit Trust v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue [2017] NSWCATAD 15

  • Mortimer v Lusink & Ors [2017] QCA 1

  • Armstrong Strategic Management and Marketing Pty Limited v Expense Reduction Analysts Group Pty Ltd (No 9) [2016] NSWSC 1005

  • Kaspersky Lab UK Ltd v Hemisphere Technologies [2016] NSWSC 147, stay application pursuant to section 7 of the International Arbitration Act 1974 (Cth) and request for arbitration pursuant to the Institute of Stockholm Arbitration Centre rules

  • Mortimer v Lusink & Ors [2016] QSC 119

  • Kafataris v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation [2015] FCA 874

  • R v Pratten (No 15) [2015] NSWSC 573

  • R v Pratten (No 14) [2015] NSWSC 457

  • Esplanade Wollongong Pty Limited v Commissioner of State Revenue [2015] NSWCATAD 228

  • Hua Wang Bank Berhad v Commissioner of Taxation (No 17) [2015] FCA 72

  • LHRC v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation (No 4) [2015] FCA 70

  • Channel Pastoral Holdings Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation [2015] FCAFC 57

  • LHRC v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation (No 3) [2015) FCA 52

  • Russell Gould Pty Ltd v Ramangkura (No 2) [2015] NSWCA 14

  • Hua Wang Bank Berhad v Commissioner of Taxation (No 16) [2014] FCA 1407

  • Allan J Heasman Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation [2014] FCA 1282

  • McGrouther v Commissioner of Taxation [2014] FCA 1102

  • LHRC v Deputy Commissioner of Taxation [2014] FCA 388

  • Armstrong Strategic Management and Marketing v Expense Reduction Analysis Group [2013] NSWSC 1702

  • Hua Wang Bank Berhad v Commissioner of Taxation (No 15) [2013] FCA 1124

  • Hua Wang Bank Berhad v Commissioner of Taxation (No 14) [2013] FCA 1096

  • Hua Wang Bank Berhad v Commissioner of Taxation (No 13) [2013] FCA 1095

  • Hua Wang Bank Berhad v Commissioner of Taxation (No 12) [2013] FCA 1091

  • Hua Wang Bank Berhad v Commissioner of Taxation (No 11) [2013] FCA 1055

  • Hua Wang Bank Berhad v Commissioner of Taxation (No 9) [2013] FCA 1022

  • Hua Wang Bank Berhad v Commissioner of Taxation (No 8) [2013] FCA 1021

  • Hua Wang Bank Berhad v Commissioner of Taxation (No 6) [2013] FCA 992

  • Armstrong Strategic Management and Marketing Pty Ltd v Expense Reduction Analysts Group Pty Ltd; Expense Reduction Analysts Group Pty Limited v Armstrong Strategic Management and Marketing Pty Limited [2012] NSWCA 430

  • Armstrong Strategic Management and Marketing Pty Limited & Ors v Expense Reduction Analysts Group Pty Ltd & Ors [2012] NSWSC 393

bottom of page