The firm was established in 1979. Its practitioners have invaluable experience in commercial law, civil litigation, family law and criminal law.
MICHAEL SYKES, the founder of the firm, was admitted to practise as a solicitor in the United Kingdom in 1969 where he worked in a commercial law firm. He settled in Adelaide in 1972 where he initially worked as a commercial lawyer for several years in Thomson & Co before branching out with his colleague Andrew Cannon who became a Magistrate in 1979. Although trained as a commercial lawyer, he has also practised as a civil litigation and criminal lawyer. He now acts as a consultant to the firm advising as to commercial issues and civil litigation and brings considerable depth of knowledge to legal issues and disputes in which the firm is involved. He commands wide respect in the Adelaide legal profession for his good knowledge of legal principles and ability to analyse difficult legal problems.
WENDY BIDSTRUP undertook a Bachelor of Laws at the University of Adelaide in the early 1970s. She commenced to work for the firm as an articled clerk soon after it was established and has continued to work for it throughout her career which has spanned more than 40 years. In her early years as a lawyer, she worked as a general practitioner in a number of fields so giving her a wide knowledge base which served to better inform her when, in due course, she chose to specialise as a family, wills and estate lawyer. She has a reputation for being conscientious and hard-working and is known for her ability to give straightforward, common-sense advice and to stand up for her clients regardless of the difficulties of their situation.
GENE SYKES BIDSTRUP undertook a Bachelor of Laws at Flinders University and University of Western Australia from 2007 to 2011. During his studies, he worked in the practice and commenced full time work in 2012. He practises in all areas of civil litigation including defamation, business and commercial disputes, and some areas of criminal law. He has worked alongside experienced senior counsel in a number of matters that have proceeded to long running trials where his exhaustive preparation has been key to successes. Whilst practising as lawyer, he has also acted as a director for an international educational group, providing legal advice and directorship advice to the board.
Our other staff comprises:
TRACEY BASSET who has worked for the firm on and off for more than 30 years and now works part time as our office and accounts manager attending to all accounting and compliance aspects of a legal practice. In conjunction with an external IT firm, she provides invaluable day to day IT support as well as thinking administrative support.
Our lawyers and support staff work interactively providing assistance and feedback to each other and a team approach especially in complex matters. For the most part, we use specialist barristers chosen at an early stage for their expertise relevant to the dispute at hand to undertake contentious interlocutory hearings and trials.
The business has been housed in the same building at 77 Angas Street, Adelaide since 1982. It’s a convenient location for clients and easily accessible to the Courts precinct at the Victoria Square end of Angas Street.
Given the depth of experience at Sykes Bidstrup, you can expect to receive knowledgeable, practical and empathetic legal advice designed to assist you in steering a path through your particular legal problem or dispute in what is potentially one of the most difficult and stressful life experiences for you. If your particular problem lies outside our areas of expertise, we will be able to direct you to someone with appropriate expertise. When you approach us for assistance, we will provide you with initial feedback by phone or, if necessary, arranging to see you as soon as practicable to assess your issue and give you guidance.