About Our Firm
Dwyer Legal Warrnambool & Port Fairy
Dwyer Legal Warrnambool was formed by Jo McCormack and James Ryan on 1 July 2019, following the merger of Dwyer Robinson Pty Ltd (formerly Desmond Dunne & Dwyer) and David Ryan & Associates.
Jo McCormack was a Principal of Dwyer Robinson Pty Ltd and member of that firm for over 17 years and James Ryan was the Principal of David Ryan & Associates and member of that firm for over 9 years.
Lucy Doherty joined the Partnership on 1 July 2023 and Eliza Ward joined the Partnership on 1 July 2025.
Dwyer Legal is now operated by three Directors, James Ryan, Lucy Doherty and Eliza Ward.
Our Directors are supported by a team of experienced Solicitors and Clerks, providing legal advice across a broad range of areas including property and conveyancing, wills, estates, family law, litigation, personal injury, work related injuries, TAC and VOCAT matters.
Dwyer Robinson Pty Ltd
The firm was established in 1901 when Desmond Dunne started a legal practice at 95 Kepler Street, Warrnambool. The practice was purchased by John Dwyer in 1937 and he continued his association until retiring in 1990.
John Dwyer’s son, Jim, joined his father in practice in 1965 and the firm was known as Desmond Dunne and Dwyer.
From 2001, the practice was conducted by Jim Dwyer and Tony Robinson and was renamed Dwyer Robinson Pty Ltd in 2006.
From 2002, Jim was supported by Jo McCormack in his practice areas of wills, estates, property and mortgage transactions. Jo joined the practice as a Director with Tony when Jim retired in 2013.
Jim remained as a consultant of the firm until he passed away in 2017.
David Ryan & Associates
The firm was established by David Ryan in 2000.
David has previously been a Partner of the Firm Desmond Dunne & Dwyer with Jim Dwyer.
David was joined by his son James in 2010, with James becoming the sole Principal of the Firm in 2017, and David remained a consultant of the firm.
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Port Fairy Office
In June 2023 we opened our Office in Port Fairy.
We are pleased to be able to provide a face-to-face service closer to home for our new and existing clients in Port Fairy and surrounds.
You will find us from 9.30am to 4.30pm each weekday at Shop 5, 32 Bank Street Port Fairy (entry off Barclay Street).
Our Port Fairy Office will predominantly be staffed by Directors James Ryan and Lucy Doherty, as well as Senior Lawyer Grace Logan, Lawyer Alice Sheehan, Probate Clerk Belinda Brown and Finance Manager Emma Baxter.
The services provided include conveyancing, leases, wills, powers of attorney, deceased estates and business transactions.
Our staff will also provide front of house contact to clients in the areas of family law, litigation, WorkCover, TAC, and personal injury.
Lucy Doherty – Doyle’s Recommended Family Law Solicitor 2024
Congratulations to our Director Lucy Doherty who has been listed in the Doyles 2024 Victorian Family Law Rankings as a Recommended Solicitor.
These rankings detail solicitors practising within the areas of family law, matrimonial and custody matters within Regional Victorian locations who have been identified by their peers for their expertise and abilities in these areas.
Well done Lucy!
Our firm has also been ranked as Recommended in the rankings for firms practising in the same areas.
Well done to our entire family law team (including Lucy, Lawyers Eliza Ward and Alice Sheehan and Assistant Brenda Dempsey)
Leading Family & Divorce Law Firms – Regional Victoria, 2024 – Doyle’s Guide (doylesguide.com)
Leading Family & Divorce Lawyers – Regional Victoria, 2024 – Doyle’s Guide (doylesguide.com)