Meet the Team

Managing Solicitor

Mark Ramsland

Mark Ramsland has over 30 years' experience in court advocacy, principally in the area of criminal law.

He has appeared extensively in all criminal courts as well as in the appellate jurisdictions. In addition to criminal matters, he has had extensive experience with the NSW Crime Commission

and other quasi-criminal jurisdictions.

​

Mark is a current member of the Law Society of NSW Criminal Law Committee and has a keen interest in drug and alcohol rehabilitation and community service work. He has been a director of Newcastle’s Soul Café and has served as Director of a not-for-profit residential rehabilitation facility, just north of Newcastle. He has appeared in and written for a variety of published media sources including A Current Affair, ABC’s Background Briefing, The Sydney Morning Herald, Daily Telegraph, The Newcastle Herald and the Law Society Journal amongst others.

Mark is a frequent speaker for men’s support services and associations and enjoys watching the Manly Sea Eagles in the NRL.

Consultant Solicitor

Mansell Laidler

Born and raised in Newcastle, Mansell Laidler worked in the Attorney General's Department (Local Courts) for 20 years. He studied law by correspondence at Macquarie University. He was working as the clerk of the Court Woy Woy when he completed his degree and was "head hunted" by a Central Coast firm of solicitors. As a solicitor, Mansell has worked on the North Coast and Central Coast areas of New South Wales before returning to Newcastle in 1999.

In total Mansell has 45 years experience in the New South Wales legal system. As a solicitor, Mansell has extensive experience in Criminal Law and General Litigation.

Mansell is well known in the Local and District Courts in New South Wales for his acumen but also his good humour.

Mansell is married, has 4 children and 5 grandchildren of whom he is very proud. He enjoys a beer, music, the company of family and friends and still surfs regularly.

Consultant Solicitor

James Wallace

James completed his Legal Studies at the University of Newcastle in 1998 and was admitted as a Solicitor in February 1999. Since that time James has constantly been in practice in small firms throughout the Hunter and Newcastle regions including working in Singleton and Toronto before moving to Newcastle to be part of the Ramsland Laidler firm. For over 20 years James has been exposed to a wide variety of Legal Practice but in more recent times has come to focus his practice on Family Law work and Local Court criminal work.

James is an experienced family lawyer who is heavily involved in the family law arena in Newcastle; he is a past President of The Hunter Valley Family Law Practitioners Association and currently holds the position of Treasurer within that association. James is actively involved in the education of family lawyers particularly in areas of advocacy and preparation for Court matters.

In addition to his professional capacity, James continues to play high-level cricket in the Newcastle District Cricket Association.

Senior Solicitor

Tadijana Ilicic

Tadijana Ilicic was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of NSW in 2021. 

​

She appears in the Local, Children's, District and Supreme Courts. She represents clients in all areas of criminal law including murder, sexual assault (both child and adult), assault, kidnapping, drug supply, firearms, aggravated break and enter and robbery. She is a detail-oriented solicitor committed to ensuring the best outcome for her clients. 

​

Tadijana's research interests include the defence of lawful correction and the use of restorative, rehabilitative, and therapeutic practices as alternatives to traditional punishment. 

​

Tadijana is also a violinist, and has performed with numerous orchestras in Australia and Europe, toured with her own musical acts, and recorded with many artists.  

​​

Senior Solicitor

Chris Watsford

Chris is a proud Novocastrian having grown up and attended school in the local area. He comes to Ramsland Laidler after 25 years working in the NSW criminal justice system.

Chris commenced his legal career as a Police Prosecutor at various locations across New South Wales including Newcastle, Sydney and country locations. He was later appointed to the rank of Senior Sergeant where he was responsible for complex prosecutions and coronial inquests in the Hunter Region.

Chris continued his legal career at the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions in 2011 as a senior solicitor and later as the Managing Solicitor of Parramatta and Newcastle offices. Chris prosecuted serious criminal matters in the Local, District and Supreme Courts including;

•              murder and manslaughter

•              driving matters occasioning death

•              sexual offences

•              complex drug supply

•              frauds

•              armed robbery

•              violent assault and wounding matters.

Chris’ extensive experience in the full range of criminal matters across all courts means you can be confident your matter is in safe hands. Chris has an inside edge over other criminal practitioners due to his extensive criminal practice experience and specialised firsthand knowledge of police procedures and investigative methodologies, ensuring you get the best result for your case.