Our Team
Ben Wilding
Principal Lawyer & Director - Bachelor of Laws - Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice - Bachelor of Education - Bachelor of Exercise Science
Ben Wilding is the Principal Lawyer at Wilding & Co Lawyers, bringing a practical and well-rounded approach to legal practice informed by a diverse professional background. Before entering the legal profession, Ben spent 12 years as a high school teacher, teaching PDHPE and Mathematics. He completed his legal studies full-time while continuing to teach full-time, demonstrating a strong work ethic and a long-standing commitment to professional development.
Ben maintains strong connections to the education sector and currently serves on the advisory council of his former school, Christian Brothers’ High School Lewisham. His firsthand experience in schools provides valuable insight into the operational, regulatory, and governance challenges faced by education providers.
Ben is also deeply engaged in the local community. He previously served as President of his local rugby league club for three years and currently sponsors the Five Dock RSL Rugby League Football Club, reflecting his ongoing support for grassroots sport and the Inner West community.
Ben’s practice focuses on Education Law, Conveyancing, and Wills & Estates Law, with additional experience in Family Law matters. He is known for providing clear, pragmatic, and commercially sensible advice, particularly in matters requiring careful planning, risk management, and long-term thinking. As a father of two, Ben brings a thoughtful and grounded perspective to matters involving families and future planning. This combination of legal expertise, real-world experience, and community involvement has earned Ben the trust of schools, families, and individuals across the Inner West and beyond.
John Hannaford
Consultant - Bachelor of Laws
John Hannaford is a Consultant to the firm and brings more than three decades of legal experience to his advisory role. John has extensive experience as a property and estates lawyer. Prior to moving into consultancy, John practised for many years advising on residential and commercial property transactions, leasing, wills, probate, and estate administration. He is known for his practical, solutions-focused approach and deep understanding of property and succession law, and now provides strategic support and advisory services drawing on that experience.
As a consultant, John works closely with our principal on matters requiring strategic insight, risk assessment, and experienced oversight. His depth of knowledge and commercial awareness make him a trusted sounding board on challenging matters, including disputes, governance, and regulatory issues.
John is highly regarded for his professionalism, discretion, and collaborative working style, and is regularly engaged where matters benefit from senior input, technical precision, and measured decision-making.
Emily Gathercole
Graduate at Law
Emily Gathercole is a soon to be Graduate-at-Law at Wilding & Co Lawyers and is due to be admitted as a solicitor in New South Wales in May 2026.
Emily commenced her legal career two years ago and has since dedicated the majority of her practice to Wills, Estates and Probate matters. She works closely with clients during some of life’s most difficult periods, assisting with estate planning, probate applications, estate administration and related advisory work.
Known for her calm and methodical approach, Emily is highly detail-oriented and committed to ensuring matters are handled efficiently, compassionately and in accordance with legal requirements. She brings a strong understanding of estate processes and a client-focused mindset, supporting executors and beneficiaries through each stage of administration.
Emily is committed to developing her practice in succession law and looks forward to continuing to serve clients as a solicitor following her admission in 2026.
Mali Stanton
Paralegal/Law Student
Mali Stanton is a Law Student at Wilding & Co Lawyers and is currently completing a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) at the University of Technology Sydney (UTS).
Mali supports the Principal, Ben Wilding, primarily in Education Law matters, and also assists across probate, conveyancing, and commercial matters, gaining broad exposure to the firm’s core practice areas. She is known for her strong work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to balance complex academic and professional commitments.
Outside of her legal studies, Mali is an elite athlete, competing in the Women’s Premier League for UNSW Football Club. Her commitment to high-performance sport reflects the discipline, resilience, and time-management skills she brings to her legal work.
Michelle Mi
Licensed Conveyancer - Bachelor of Commerce
Michelle Mi is a Licensed Conveyancer at Wilding & Co Lawyers, with over 15 years of experience working in property and conveyancing matters across NSW. Licensed since 2019, Michelle has worked across a range of legal practices and brings a calm, efficient, and highly detail-focused approach to every transaction.
Michelle has extensive experience in residential conveyancing, sale and purchase of property, business sales, and retail and commercial leasing. She manages conveyancing matters from start to finish, including contract preparation and review, exchanges, settlements, and post-completion requirements. She is well-versed in high-volume conveyancing and complex transactions, ensuring matters are progressed efficiently and accurately.
Known for her strong communication skills and meticulous attention to detail, Michelle prides herself on delivering clear, practical advice and ensuring clients feel supported throughout the conveyancing process. She is proficient in PEXA and modern conveyancing systems and is fluent in English, Mandarin, and Cantonese, enabling her to assist a diverse client base across the Inner West and greater Sydney.
Michelle holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Western Australia and completed her Conveyancing Law and Practice Course at Macquarie University. Based in Five Dock, she plays a key role in Wilding & Co Lawyers’ conveyancing practice, assisting buyers, sellers, and property investors with reliable and high-quality conveyancing services.
Madelen Sollie
Office Manager | HR & Marketing
Madelen Sollie is the Office Manager and Human Resources lead at Wilding & Co Lawyers, with responsibility for the firm’s operations, human resources, payroll, and marketing coordination. She plays a key role in ensuring the smooth and efficient running of the practice while supporting the firm’s growth and client engagement initiatives.
Madelen oversees office management, HR administration, staff onboarding, and internal processes, working closely with the Principal Lawyer and legal team to maintain compliance and operational efficiency. In addition, she manages the execution of marketing and PR activities, including digital marketing support, brand consistency, campaign coordination, and client communications.
Known for her strong organisational skills, attention to detail, and solutions-focused approach, Madelen brings structure and consistency to a busy legal practice. She is highly approachable and supports both staff wellbeing and a positive workplace culture, while ensuring systems and processes operate effectively behind the scenes.
Madelen’s combined expertise in operations, human resources, and marketing makes her an integral part of the Wilding & Co Lawyers team, contributing to both the firm’s internal stability and its external professional presence.