Sean Powell – Managing Partner
Sean was appointed Managing Partner in 2025, having joined the firm in 2019 and becoming a partner in 2022. As Managing Partner, Sean is committed to fostering a culture where people thrive and where clients’ interests remain paramount. He also leads our Litigation and Dispute Resolution team, guiding complex matters with a steady, solutions-focused approach.
Succession Law Expertise
Sean is a recognised leader in contested estates and trust disputes, with expertise in succession law. He holds a Master of Laws with a specialisation in Wills and Estates and is a full member of the Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)—a global benchmark of expertise in this field.
He acts in a wide range of contested estate matters including:
- Family provision applications (disappointed beneficiary claims)
- Will challenges (testamentary capacity, undue influence, knowledge and approval, fraud, forgery)
- Informal wills (including handwritten and unsigned wills, suicide note wills)
- Superannuation and life insurance disputes
- Executor/trustee appointment and removal
- Executor commission applications
- Trust disputes
Sean regularly presents at industry seminars and conferences in the area of Wills and Estates, reflecting his deep commitment to the development of the profession.
Practising extensively in both Queensland and New South Wales, Sean has rare and valuable cross-jurisdictional experience. He is frequently sought after in complex matters involving assets and parties across state borders.
Broader Litigation and Commercial Insight
Sean also represents clients in civil litigation involving trusts, corporations, equitable claims, contracts, real estate, and powers of attorney.
Before focusing exclusively on contentious matters, Sean worked across commercial law, property law, corporations law, and estate planning in Brisbane, the Gold Coast and New South Wales. He has personally handled a broad range of transactions including large- and small-scale conveyances, leases, business sales and acquisitions, and the establishment of trusts and corporate structures.
This commercial grounding gives Sean a distinct advantage in dispute resolution, allowing him to combine legal insight with practical, real-world understanding.
Outside of the law
Sean serves on the Board of Directors of the Bendigo Community Bank in Tugun and sits on the Finance, Risk and Audit Committee, reflecting his strong interest in business and community leadership.
Outside of work, he enjoys spending time with his partner and two young boys—usually outdoors at the beach, cooking at home and attending local sporting events. Cricket, footy, golf, and surfing remain lifelong passions.
Practice Areas
- Inheritance Law
- Contested Wills & Estates
- Court Work and Litigation
- Power of attorney disputes
- Trust disputes
- Superannuation and life insurance disputes
- Informal wills
- Granny-flat interest agreements and disputes
- Estate Administration
- Probate and letters of administration
- Elder Law
- Funeral Disputes
- Trusts
- Powers of Attorney
- Deceased Estates
- Will and Estate Disputes
- Estate and Asset Planning
- Wills
Qualifications
- Master of Laws (Applied Law) majoring in Wills and Estates – College of Law
- Graduate Diploma Legal Practice (Distinction) – Australian National University
- Bachelor of Laws (Honours) – Queensland University of Technology
- Bachelor of Business – Queensland University of Technology
Professional Licences and Appointments
- Admitted to the High Court of Australia
- Admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland
- Principal Practicing Certificate – Queensland Law Society.
Professional Memberships
- Gold Coast District Law Association
- Queensland Law Society
- New South Wales Law Society
- Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
Board Appointments
- 2020 to current – Bendigo Community Bank at Tugun
