We make sure that by listening to our clients we find out what each one wants and needs.

We can then give the advice and service which answers those needs in the quickest, most accurate and helpful way.

Our interest in our clients and our approachability enables us to develop a close relationship with them and an understanding of their needs.

We are running a business, and we believe to continue that successfully we must be good at our jobs and have a commitment to our clients.

Ian Clairs

Ian graduated from the University of Western Australia with a Bachelor of Jurisprudence in 1977 and a Bachelor of Laws with Honours in 1978. In 1979 Ian was admitted as a barrister and solicitor.

Experienced in many areas of legal practice, Ian's particular interest is in Business and Property Law including Commercial Law, Property and Securities, Taxation, Estate Planning, Probate and Administration of Estates.

Ian has been actively involved in community groups including being past President of Relationships Australia - Western Australia and Relationships Australia – National.

Ian is a past Vice President of Rowing WA and is currently a Vice President of Swan River Rowing Club having been involved in the sport of rowing as a competitor or administrator for longer than he cares to remember.

Penny Keeley

Penny is a graduate of the University of Western Australia gaining a Bachelor of Jurisprudence in 1974 and a Bachelor of Laws in 1975. She commenced practice in 1976.

As an experienced barrister and accredited Family Law Specialist, Penny works in the areas of Family Law, De Facto Marriage, Inheritance Act disputes and Criminal Injuries Compensation.

She is particularly interested in the resolution of disputes through a collaborative model of practice.

Penny has also played an active role in various legal and administrative bodies including the Law Society of Western Australia, The Family Law Practitioners Association of Western Australia, the Board of Sir Charles Gairdner Hospital, the Legal Practice Board, Curtin University of Technology Disciplinary Board and as a tutor in ethics for the Legal Practice Board of Western Australia. She was also a Deputy President of the Equal Opportunity Tribunal.

Away from her legal practice she has been actively involved in many community organisations.

Lara Anstie

Lara graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Tasmania in 1999, and was admitted to practise in Western Australia on 2 August 2001.

Lara was employed as a Judge’s associate at the Family Court of Western Australia prior to commencing in private practice in 2003. 

Lara practices primarily in family law, including divorce, property settlements, financial agreements and parenting issues.  Lara also assists people obtain and contest restraining orders.

Lara’s other jobs are domestic goddess and toddler wrangler.

Sheryl Butler

Sheryl is a graduate of the University of Western Australia where she gained a Bachelor of Jurisprudence and a Bachelor of Laws and was admitted to practice on 2 February 1994.

Sheryl has been employed at Clairs Keeley since May 2006.

Sheryl practices primarily in Family Law but also has some experience in Child Protection matters.

Sheryl also has a diploma in Therapeutic Radiography and worked full time as a qualified Therapeutic Radiographer at Royal Perth Hospital for approximately 5 years until the birth of her first child.

Sheryl enjoys walking. After completing her degrees at the University of Western Australia she joined a group and walked in the wilderness areas of the West Coast of Tasmania for a period of 2 weeks. She has walked the Ring of Kerry in Ireland and in 2004 walked the Cape to Cape in the South of Western Australia.

Sheryl also enjoys reading, listening to classical music and music from other countries including India, the Middle East, Spain and South America.

Clairs Keeley Support Staff