Three lawyers have joined Stacks so far this year, expanding the team up to 30 skilled lawyers and staff. The latest to join is Sophie Lee, a Taree High graduate who returns to her home town after gaining valuable experience elsewhere.

“It’s great to be back in Taree living with my family and to be able to help the local people of the district,” Sophie said.

She graduated from Taree High in 2008 and completed a degree in law and politics at Southern Cross University in Lismore. She then completed a degree in international relations, politics and law at the University of Newcastle.

“I completed my legal training at the Aboriginal Legal Service in Taree before starting work as a solicitor with a law firm in Forster. But I always wanted to work as a lawyer in Taree, and joining Stacks is a tremendous opportunity”.

“That, and being able to get out on my trail bike and tearing around the farm again,” she laughed.

Managing director Justin Stack said it was a sign that Taree district was doing extremely well that they could appoint three new solicitors to the firm in four months.

“We are expanding as the district is getting economically stronger,” Mr Stack said.

“More and more skilled people want to live in this area and we relish the chance to appoint skilled staff to our team who grew up here and know the local people. They understand local issues and are well equipped to help with any problems they might have with the law.”