Hastwell is a senior legal practitioner who has specialised in family law and related areas for 30 years. Prior to the merger, she was the principal solicitor and proprietor of Lesley Hastwell and Associates, a family law practice she established in Adelaide 12 years ago.

Hastwell holds a masters degree in law from the University of Adelaide. Previously she has worked as a lecturer, course co-ordinator and examiner at the Adelaide University Law School, including lecturing in the subject family property law for a number of years. She has also held appointments as a deputy president of the Guardianship Board of South Australia (1994 -2004), a legal member of the Social Security Appeals Tribunal (1987 to 1996) and the legal member appointed to the South Australian Dental Board (1992 to 1999).

Hastwell currently holds a part-time position of senior member of the Commonwealth Administrative Appeals Tribunal.

“We are delighted to have someone of [Hastwell’s] calibre join Norman Waterhouse. The experience she and her colleagues bring to Norman Waterhouse can only strengthen our ability to offer our family law clients the best possible service,” partner Brendan Murray said.