Our lawyers

Richard Bryson

With over 20 years of legal expertise, Richard Bryson is an esteemed Legal Practitioner in the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory. Since his admission to the Supreme Court in 2004, Richard has skillfully handled a wide range of complex criminal cases, including Homicide, Sexual Offences, Robbery, and Fraud matters. His extensive courtroom experience reflects his expertise and dedication to justice.

  • Education and training

    In addition to his courtroom successes, Richard holds tertiary qualifications in business and law and is a distinguished graduate of the FBI National Academy in Quantico, Virginia, USA.

  • Proficiency in law, academia and board service

    Richard's contributions extend beyond traditional legal practice:


    • Member of the Northern Territory Law Reform Committee (2014 - 2026)
    • NT representative on the National Counter-Terrorism Committee (NCTC) Investigation Support Capability Coordination SubCommittee (ISCCSC) (2012-14)
    • Guest lecturer at Charles Darwin University in Criminal Law and Alternative Dispute Resolution 
    • Active participation in national e-crime initiatives, including the National Cybercrime Working Group (NCWG)
    • Ministerial appointment to the Care and Protection of Children Act Child Death Review and Prevention Committee (CDRPC) (2013-15)
    • Legal Officer in the Army Reserve, handling trials and pleas, including overseas jurisdictional offences
    • Ministerial appointment to the Medical Board of the Northern Territory (2006-2012)

With a wealth of experience and a passion for justice and reform, Richard stands as the legal practitioner you can trust. His professionalism and diverse skill set make him an invaluable asset to clients and the legal community.

Bronte Kelly

Bronte Kelly was admitted as a legal practitioner in the Supreme Court of the Northern Territory in 2021, at which time she immediately commenced employment in private practice at Bryson Kelly. Bronte specialises in criminal law matters, providing steadfast legal counsel to her clients.

  • A comprehensive legal approach

    Bronte's work in the Darwin Local Court covers a spectrum of cases, including contested bail applications, pleas, contested mentions, bail variations, committal mentions, breach offences, and matters related to domestic and personal violence orders. Her presence in the Supreme Court is marked by her role as the instructing solicitor in trials and pleas for serious indictable offences, often working alongside the Territory's most esteemed barristers.

  • A mark of excellence

    Bronte's legal practice is distinguished by her unwavering work ethic and meticulous attention to detail. She firmly believes that cases are won before they even reach the courtroom. With this belief in mind, she dedicates herself to thoroughly and meticulously preparing every case, ensuring the best possible outcome for her clients each and every time.

When you seek a legal counsel who combines dedication, attention to detail, and a commitment to your best interests, Bronte Kelly is the lawyer you can rely on. Her professional integrity and tireless work ethic make her a trusted advocate in the field of criminal law.

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Ian Rowbottam

Ian Rowbottam is a highly experienced criminal lawyer with more than 30 years of legal practice in the Northern Territory.


Ian has worked extensively on both sides of the criminal justice system including as a Crown Prosecutor, defence lawyer, barrister and partner in private practice. This breadth of experience gives him a valuable understanding of how criminal matters are investigated, prosecuted and defended.


Ian has appeared extensively in the Supreme Court and Local Court of the Northern Territory including in jury trials, serious indictable matters, contested hearings, bail applications and appeals. His experience includes major drug offences, fraud, sexual offences and serious violence matters including murders.


Most recently, Ian served as a Crown Prosecutor with the Northern Territory DPP following eight years as a Supervising Prosecutor. He has also spent many years in private criminal practice, including appearing as counsel in Supreme Court trials and the Court of Criminal Appeal. Ian brings decades of courtroom experience, sound judgment and extensive knowledge of the Northern Territory criminal justice system. He provides clients with clear, practical advice and experienced representation at every stage of their matter.

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Kylah McAndrew 

Licensed Conveyancer

Born and bred in Darwin, Kylah brings over 12 years of conveyancing experience to the local property market.

As a licensed conveyancer, she has built a strong reputation for her professionalism, attention to detail, and deep understanding of the unique aspects of property transactions in the Northern Territory.

Kylah specialises in both residential and commercial conveyancing, and is known for her calm, clear communication and commitment to making each transaction as smooth and stress-free as possible. Her local knowledge and long-standing industry relationships are a valuable asset to clients navigating the buying or selling process.

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Sienna Buitenhuis

Legal Administration Assistant

Sienna Buitenhuis is the friendly and efficient first point of contact for our clients and an essential part of our legal support team.

As our Legal Administration Assistant, she ensures the smooth day-to-day running of the office, supporting both clients and legal staff with professionalism and care.

With strong organisational skills and a keen eye for detail, Sienna handles file management, scheduling, correspondence, and a wide range of administrative tasks that keep our practice running seamlessly.

Her approachable nature and commitment to client service help create a warm and welcoming environment for everyone who walks through our doors.

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Vanessa McAndrew

Conveyancing Assistant

Vanessa assists clients with all aspects of residential conveyancing including the purchase and sale of property and the settlement process.


With a background in banking and finance, Vanessa brings valuable practical knowledge to the conveyancing process and understands the financial considerations involved in buying and selling property.


Vanessa works closely with clients throughout their transaction, helping to keep the process straightforward and ensuring they are kept informed from contract through to settlement.


Her approachable and organised manner, combined with her experience in banking and finance, makes her a valuable member of Bryson Kelly’s conveyancing team.