Newcastle Solicitor Emma Rowles Earns National Recognition in Small Business Awards
Newcastle solicitor Emma Rowles has achieved a significant milestone in her legal career, being named a finalist for the prestigious 2026 Australian Small Business Champion Awards. This national recognition underscores the remarkable growth and success of her practice, Winter Legal, which specialises exclusively in estate administration and disputes.
A Year of Accolades and Professional Achievements
The nomination for the Australian Small Business Champion Awards caps off a highly successful 12-month period for Ms Rowles. Earlier, she was honoured as the 2025 APAC Insider Legal Awards Wills and Estates Lawyer of the Year for New South Wales and received the 2025 ALIBI Earth Keeper Award. Her consistent excellence has also seen her as a finalist in multiple other awards, including the Business NSW Awards, Gender Equity Awards, Local Business Awards, and Business Xcellence Awards.
"Business awards encourage you to keep growing and bettering your business," Ms Rowles remarked. "It is quite an honour to be recognised by the Australian Small Business Champion Awards, as they recognise small businesses on a national level."
Expansion and Expertise in Estate Law
Winter Legal, under Ms Rowles' leadership, has expanded from its original small office in the Hawkesbury region to include established locations in both Sydney and Newcastle. The firm focuses on estate administration, commonly known as probate, and handles estate and will disputes, often involving complex family provision claims.
Ms Rowles' journey in the legal field began in 2007 as a full-time paralegal while she completed her law and commerce degrees. She gained invaluable experience serving as a judge's assistant for two wills and estate law judges at the NSW Supreme Court and worked at prominent firms such as KPMG, Speed & Stracey, and Teece Hodgson & Ward before becoming the director of Winter Legal in 2019.
Commitment to Client Satisfaction and Success
Ms Rowles attributes her firm's success to an unwavering commitment to client satisfaction, which is reflected in a five-star Google rating and a 100 per cent success rate in litigation. Winter Legal offers free consultations and no-win, no-fee arrangements, with many will disputes being resolved efficiently before reaching court.
"In every matter I focus on the overarching principle of facilitating the just, quick and cheap resolution of matters," Ms Rowles explained. Her academic credentials include a Master of Laws majoring in Wills and Estates, and she is a registered Trusts and Estates practitioner, further solidifying her expertise in this niche area of law.
Passion Driving Professional Excellence
Ms Rowles' passion for her work is evident in her daily approach. "I love what I do," she said. "I wake up every day excited to help my clients. I think when you love what you do, you become very good at it." This dedication not only fuels her personal motivation but also drives the continued growth and recognition of Winter Legal, positioning it as a leading firm in estate law within New South Wales and beyond.
