Justine Bowman

Director
Family, Wills & Estates, Property

Expertise

I was admitted to practice in 2000; my first position was working in Wills & Estates and mortgages.

I set up Joliman Lawyers in 2002 and found my niche in Family Law, Wills & Estates and doing the odd purchase/sale of business.

Whilst I have experience in all the practice areas covered by our firm, I predominantly practice in Family Law.

I am also on the Independent Children’s Lawyer panel in Victoria and New South Wales.

Background

I grew up in Cohuna and have lived locally most of my life on a dairy farm.

I was fortunate enough to be given the opportunity to study abroad as an exchange student where I completed my Senior Year of High School in Charlestown, Indiana in the US. From this trip grew my love for travel. Luckily social media has allowed me to keep in touch with my host family and school friends.

At high school I found that I loved the Psychology classes, so I went on to study Psychology at Uni, only to realise that statistics were not for me, and so I deferred. During this time of reflection, I tried something totally different – nannying and milking cows which I also realized were not for me. In 1995 I was excited to be accepted into Bond University on the Gold Coast in Qld, and commenced studying in 1996. I decided to fast track my law degree by completing three semesters per year, and graduated in 1999.

I went on to complete my post-graduate through Leo Cussens, and worked in Melbourne for a couple of years before relocating back home with my partner (now husband) Trevor.

Interesting fact

I love our fur babies, enjoy travelling and going to the odd movie (Gold Glass wherever possible) and eating my husband’s food. It’s a bonus having a chef to cook for me, although the downside is I have to clean up.