Rated 4.6 Excellent on Google Reviews
Kelly & Chapman Lawyers + Notary Public
A Local Law Firm That Stands Beside You
Trusted Legal Help for Life’s Turning Points
At Kelly & Chapman Lawyers, we’ve been helping people across Melbourne’s southeast make sense of the legal system for more than 50 years.
Whether you’re navigating divorce, buying property, facing charges or planning your estate, we’re here to guide you with clarity, calm and experience that counts.
We believe good lawyers do more than solve legal problems. They listen. They explain. They help you feel in control, even when life isn’t.
Real Lawyers. Real Results.
We’re not a call centre. We’re not a franchise. We’re a small, deeply experienced law firm built on relationships, not transactions.
Clients choose us — and stay with us — because:
We speak your language
We explain things clearly
No jargon. Just solid advice.
We act fast.
Legal problems don’t wait — neither do we.
We’ve seen it all.
Since 1966, we’ve handled thousands of matters in and out of court.
We’re on your side
How We Can Help
Powers of Attorney
Powers of attorney are legal documents that let you choose someone who can make decisions for you. Powers of attorney give you choice and control.
Civil and Commercial Litigation
Very few people want to be involved in court proceedings. They can be protracted, stressful, costly and the outcome is not always predictable.
Criminal Law
It is an unfortunate fact of life that ordinary, decent and generally law-abiding people occasionally fall foul of the law.
VCAT
Many minor and specialised disputes are dealt with at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
Wills & Probate
Wills & Probate focuses on managing a person’s estate after death, including validating wills, distributing assets, settling debts, and handling inheritance matters to ensure the deceased’s wishes are carried out legally.
Property Law
Property Law deals with the ownership, use, transfer, and protection of real estate and property rights, including buying, selling, leasing, and resolving property disputes.
Notary Public
If you’re sending legal documents overseas, many foreign governments, courts, and institutions will only accept them if they’ve been notarised by an appointed Notary Public.
Built on Respect and Results
We don’t measure success in billable hours.
We measure it in:
Relieved Faces
Restored Confidence
Outcomes That Change Lives
If you want a lawyer who listens first and speaks with meaning, you’re in the right place.
Serving Bentleigh and Beyond
Our office is located in Bentleigh, but our clients come from all over Melbourne, including Clayton, Bentleigh, East Brighton, Brighton, Caulfield, Hampton, Cheltenham, Highett, Hughesdale, Chadstone, Carnegie, Malvern East, and beyond.
We’re locals. We know the courts. We know the community. And we’ll fight for the outcome that works best for you.
What Our Clients Say
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Title: A Seamless and Stress-Free home buying experience with Kelly & Chapman I recently had the pleasure of working with Susan Gale-Phillips from Kelly & Chapman for the purchase of our property, and I am compelled to share the exceptional experience I had with their services. From the outset, Susan displayed a profound understanding of the intricacies of property transactions. Her expertise and attention to detail were evident as she navigated the complexities of the legal aspects involved in our property transaction. Communication was a standout feature throughout the process. She ensured that I was kept well-informed at every stage, providing timely updates and clarifications whenever necessary. This transparent and proactive approach alleviated much of the stress typically associated with property transactions, and I always felt confident that my interests were being prioritized. One of the most impressive aspects of Susan's service was her responsiveness. Emails and phone calls were promptly returned, and she was readily available to address any concerns or queries I had. This level of accessibility and dedication to client satisfaction set a high standard for professionalism. In conclusion, my experience with Susan (and Kelly & Chapman) was nothing short of outstanding. Their professionalism, expertise, and unwavering dedication to client satisfaction made the entire process seamless and stress-free. I wholeheartedly recommend Susan to anyone in need of a reliable and proficient solicitor/conveyancer for their property transactions. In fact, I have already done so to a friend, and he has benefited from her expertise. Thanks to their efforts, I am now happily settled in my new home, and I am grateful for the excellent service they provided.
Rami
January 9, 2024Super quick, easy and available. No fuss
Nathan Stuart
March 31, 2026Brilliant services for our family and businesses Highly recommend
Digital Attraction
April 24, 2026 -
We have just finished using the incomparable Susan Gale-Phillips in a conveyancing matter and could not recommend her more highly. The matter was complicated, involving a buyer's advocate and a company/trust structure, issues with which we have no experience. Susan was across absolutely all of the legal and administrative matters. Moreover, her communication, both in writing and on the phone, was clear, detailed and very timely. The matter settled today without a hitch and we are so grateful that we decided to use Kelly & Chapman, and Susan in particular. Thank you so much!!
Ben Harris
April 28, 2025We recently settled on our apartment in Bentleigh and used Laiany's services for the conveyancing. The service was fantastic and she kept us updated the whole way through. She was also available for any of our queries and responded in a very timely manner. We have used other firms previously for conveyancing and the difference between them and Laiany from Kelly & Chapman was chalk and cheese. We don't plan to be moving again anytime soon, but if we were, we will be using Kelly & Chapman Lawyers.
Chris Clark
May 10, 2026Very professional. Thanks.
fahimeh saleh
February 17, 2026 -
I can't express how grateful I am for Susan's exceptional service as my conveyancer. As a first home buyer, her guidance was invaluable throughout the entire process. Her attention to detail is truly second to none. Susan's expertise and dedication made what could have been a stressful experience remarkably smooth and straightforward. I wholeheartedly recommend her services to anyone in need of a conveyancer. Susan, thank you for your outstanding support!
Hooman Tahbaz
September 13, 2023I recently used the notary public services at Kelly and Chapman Lawyers, and I was very impressed with the experience. The team was professional, efficient, and highly knowledgeable. They took the time to clearly explain each step and ensured all documents were handled with great care and accuracy. The service was prompt, and the staff were friendly and approachable, which made a big difference. I would highly recommend Kelly and Chapman Lawyers to anyone in need of reliable and trustworthy notary public services. Thank you for your excellent support!
aruna pragash
March 20, 2026We found Susan Gale-Phillips to be extremely professional, knowledgeable, efficient, thorough and meticulous. She alleviated any concerns and went above and beyond, always explaining everything to us at all times. There was peace of mind, knowing we didn't have to worry about a thing as we were in great hands. Susan made the whole process clear and easy. I would not hesitate to recommend Susan Gale-Phillips from Kelly Chapman Lawyers.
Nikki
August 28, 2023
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It starts with a conversation. No pressure. Just a chance to meet, listen and plan the next step together.