Welcome

We want you to achieve the best outcome possible. That is why our team work together, combining our skills and knowledge to provide you with expert professional legal advice.

About
Clelands Lawyers is over 130 years old. Our agility, wisdom and pragmatic approach provides our clients with the ideal mix of skills to address both large and small matters. We believe it’s the difference we make together that allows us to have a substantial and positive influence on people’s lives.

What sets us apart from every other law practice is:

Our attitude
We are confident, concise and close-knit.

Our approach
We listen, then act and never waiver. 

Our service
Right from the start, you will be matched with the lawyer best suited to assist you.

Our mission
We are determined to: 

  • Work professionally with you 
  • Do what it takes to achieve the best outcome for you
  • Work with initiative, efficiency and innovation
  • Provide clarity and support

Communiqué

Established in 1892

As one of South Australia’s oldest law firms, we are incredibly proud of our history. Clelands Lawyers was named after our founder, Edward Erskine Cleland, who famously represented South Australia before the Privy Council in the South Australia-Victoria boundary case and was later appointed as a Justice of the Supreme Court of South Australia.

1919

The family connection with the firm continued over two more generations. First, when Edward Erskine Cleland’s son, Thomas Erskine Cleland, became a member in 1919 and again when his son, Michael Edward Erskine Cleland joined the team. Thomas became a partner of the firm on 3 February 1921 and continued as an active member of the firm well into his 70’s, while his son Michael stayed with the firm until his death in 1993.

1975

On 1 July 1975 Clelands merged with the firm of LA Whitington & Davies and began practicing under the name Cleland & Co. 1975 was a fortuitous year for Clelands with Susan Biggs admitted to practice and made the decision to join our team that same year; clearly a decision we were all very happy with as Susan continues to practice with Clelands to this day.

1987

After practising in Pirie Street for many years, Clelands moved to its current location in 1987. Albert Terrace on Carrington Street is a 2-level Victorian-style, heritage building. Listed on both the South Australian and City of Adelaide heritage registers, our beautiful home can also be found on the ‘classified’ list of the National Trust of South Australia.

1990's

Throughout the 90’s we welcomed several esteemed colleagues to the team at Clelands. Leon McEvoy joined us in 1990, Ben Farmer came along in 1997 and right at the end of the decade, Rinaldo D’Aloia joined our team in 1999.

2000's

Ben and Rinaldo both became partners of the firm in the early 2000’s. Ben in 2002 and Rinaldo in 2004.

2017

Clelands evolved from a partnership to an incorporated practice in 2017. Having joined the firm in 2015, Victoria Treloar rounded out our directorship in 2019 by coming onboard with Ben and Rinaldo as a shareholder and Director.

Now

The team at Clelands continue to thrive, providing an expansive range of expert legal advice to the South Australian community.

1892
1919
1975
1987
1990
2000
2017
Now

Client Testimonials

"I cannot speak highly enough of Victoria Treloar and would thoroughly recommend her as an exceptional lawyer to represent a family law matter. 

Victoria's advice was spot on from the commencement of my matter and she was able to achieve a fair and timely resolution despite challenging circumstances. She is an exceptional negotiator, thorough and diligent in looking at all aspects of a case. 

She is also, very supportive and concerned for the well-being of her clients.  I cannot thank Victoria and the team at Clelands enough for all that they achieved on my behalf." 

Brad

"Victoria, Kate and Kara,

Thank you for all your amazingly hard work over the last 2-3 years. 

The first time we met I was completely broken and overwhelmed fearful of what lay ahead of me. 

Along the way I realised I wasn't dealing with this alone and you would get the job done! 

I've now put myself back together, happier, stronger and wiser."

"We are truly grateful for all your help and support with this ordeal, and very relieved that it’s almost over once the divorce papers come through.

My sister can start a new chapter and live a much happier, safer and healthier life, looking forward to her future, and we couldn’t have done it without you.

We’re very grateful our friend referred you to us and we were able to get through it all with your great expertise and knowledge.

Thanks again Victoria"

Nancy

"A good friend of mine had mentioned that Tom Walker was a perfect fit for me when I found myself in the position of needing a Lawyer.

Tom has been by my side for 5 years and I am so grateful for his guidance, his knowledge, his empathy and his ability to really understand where you are coming from and what is important to you as far as outcomes and expectations.

No one ever wants to be in a position where you require legal representation but when that does happen, you need a fierce ally, someone you can trust, and someone that will work with you in achieving a desired outcome.

Tom spent a significant amount of time listening to my story and has guided me through one of the most tumultuous times of my life. He has been my light in the darkness and the voice of reason when I have needed one. Tom’s professionalism and knowledge is only matched by his great sense of humour, which helped enormously during some very stressful moments.

Tom will be the only lawyer I use for the rest of eternity!

I feel bad for anyone who doesn’t have Tom as their lawyer"



Kris

"From the moment I met Victoria Treloar I felt safe, understood, and supported. I will be eternally grateful to her for all her invaluable hard work and legal wisdom. Victoria kept me well informed, and her communication was excellent throughout one of the most complex family court cases in the history of Australia. Victoria, thank you for your professionalism, integrity, continued support and expertise. I would also like to express my heartfelt gratitude to her for all the care and concern she continuously demonstrated towards my family and my children. She worked tirelessly to ensure that the law worked in our favour. I cannot begin to express how elite and professional her legal representation was on my behalf. She prioritized me as a client and did everything in her power to ensure a favourable outcome. I feel privileged and graced to have had her as my legal counsel, knowing she was in my corner gave me a sense of calmness and strength that at times I was struggling to find. Regardless of the challenges we faced over the years she secured me and had it under control. The final outcome was a result of her supreme work.

In my humble opinion there is no best family lawyer in the country of Australia"


Sonia

"The Cleland Lawyers team have been valuable business partners to our Group for over 40 years. We continue to rely on their thoughtful contribution and legal expertise in both business and personal matters."



Saturno Group of Companies

"Clelands lawyers have made the difficult process of divorce settlement much easier. Victoria helped make settling my consent orders clear and easy to navigate. Her services were efficient and concise. I've recommended many friends to Victoria as I believe she will help them achieve a fair result and doesn't waste time drawing out the process. Divorce can be stressful but I always felt supported by the exceptional knowledge and professionalism of Victoria and am very happy with the outcome we achieved." 

Catherine

"Dear Ben,  Just a short note to thank you so much for all your support and care during our work together.  I know that without your considered good sense, logic and steadying presence I would have found the whole thing so much harder and in fact almost too overwhelming to deal with.  I am pleased to think that you now have more time to help others as competently as you have me.  So, thank you again so much for your such good work." 

"To Ben, With many thanks for your help and expertise over the last three years.  I could not have hoped for better representation."

Carol

"I was recommended to Victoria by my commercial lawyer halfway through my marital matter as I was not happy with the service my previous family lawyer was providing. From the outset I was very impressed with Victoria’s honest and forthright manner. Victoria handled my matter with efficiency and professionalism. She always did what she said she would do and responded to calls and correspondence straight away. I was very impressed with her negotiation skills and the outcome she achieved for me, at what was a very stressful time. I couldn’t recommend Victoria more highly to handle any family law matter."

Jacqui

In my limited experience in dealing with law firms, I have spent many hours trying to understand how to read their legal drafts.

In working with Rinaldo and his team at Clelands, I have found professionals that don’t require me to learn law to understand their agreements. Instead, they say ‘this is what you need, sign here’. It sounds basic, but it has made dealing with a law firm so less stressful for our little company.


Tom Robinson

Managing Director Goolwa PiPiCo

“Clelands Lawyers have been the “go to” law firm for our group of companies since 2018 for all matters in a variety of areas of practice, from corporate through to personal. At all times we find the legal practitioners and staff extremely approachable. The expertise of the practitioners means we always receive comprehensive advice, and their advice is cost effective, and outcome focused. We receive personalized service and they are genuinely interested in our organisation, focusing on building long-term relationships which gives us confidence knowing that with just one phone call we can quickly seek the advice we need.”

Kylie Petherick

Chief Financial Officer - Stehr Group

Having worked with Clelands for well over a decade we are continually pleased by their level of professionalism, expertise and quality of work. Our partnership is important to maintaining and growing our business and is highly valued.



James Scott-Mackenzie

Endeavour Group Limited

"I just wanted to pass on that the support I got from Loretta was exceptional. 

She was super focused, and addressed all my needs really quickly. She was great at explaining my options, and was just a delight to deal with. I also had confidence that she understood my situation and needs perfectly.

 Thanks so much ...." 


Jane

Join / Sign up