James & Jaramillo

Tom practices exclusively in the areas of criminal and family law. He is a fierce advocate who takes pride in the careful and precise preparation of every case from large to small. He is clear with his clients about what is realistic – his clients trust they are getting the whole story and enjoy working with him in a partnership focused on achieving the best outcome factoring in costs, rights, delay and his client’s real needs. Tom frequently appears as solicitor advocate in bail applications, defended hearings, Section 14 applications in the Local Court together with Conviction appeals and sentences in the District and Supreme Courts. He manages a number of serious trial matters across Sydney and regional NSW. Tom has also instructed counsel in various appellate jurisdictions including the Court of Criminal Appeal and in special leave applications to the High Court of Australia. In Family Law, Tom has vast experience in complex property and parenting matters. It is his practice to make sure that his clients are well educated about their own affairs and remain ahead of what is going on at all times. His focus is on quick effective solutions that sit right within the range of what a Court would do without the costs and delay that would otherwise be the case. When it is necessary for matters to proceed to Court, he will frequently conduct his own interim hearings and has appeared as solicitor advocate in a number of final hearings in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Division 2). Tom is a member of the family law, summary crime and indictable crime Legal Aid panels.

Our partner, Jonathan Jaramillo has primarily practised in criminal law. He is particularly sought out for complex criminal law cases across all jurisdictions. Jonathan is described as a real tactician and he develops extensive strategies for all his cases regardless of the size of the case. Litigation often provides last minute curve balls, Jonathan forecasts the different possibilities the other side will try to do and formulates different strategies and back up plans accordingly to ensure his clients get the best results possible. He will not leave a stone unturned. In particular Jonathan is often sought out for large complicated drug syndicate cases including large commercial supply, ongoing supply, drug importation, etc. Before Jonathan was a lawyer, he worked for one of the big four banks. He was made part of a specialised team to trace missing clients that the bank needed to contact. Abstract reasoning and close attention to detail were paramount. He brings this knowledge to all his cases. He works closely with private investigators for more complex cases. He has won District Court trials / hearings based on his own investigations that the prosecution failed to do which have resulted in acquittals and legal costs recovered for our clients. Jonathan is from a Colombian background and can communicate fluently in Spanish. He is very regarded by Central and South American embassies in Sydney and is known as being a strong “Abogado” (meaning lawyer) in Sydney, Australia. He has also provided legal opinions on SBS Spanish radio. Jonathan is passionate about social justice issues. He will represent all members of our community regardless of their background when their civil rights are violated. He is not afraid to call out poor behaviour and fight for his clients civil rights. When Jonathan is not fighting in Court, he enjoys being at the gym training mix martial arts at Clube de Lutas. He currently holds a blue belt in Bralizian Jiu Jitsu (BJJ) under Kalil Pinto.

Ching is the Senior Associate at James and Jaramillo Lawyers, specialising and practising solely in Family Law. She is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law. An Accredited Specialist is a practising solicitor who has demonstrated specialised competence in a particular area of law and has been conferred Specialist Accreditation by the Law Society. To obtain Specialist Accreditation, Ching had to undertake and pass rigorous assessments in communication, problem solving, client relationships, as well as complex and substantive legal concepts in their specialist area of law. Ching has a special interest in complex parenting matters, property settlement matters involving short relationships, and spousal maintenance matters. She has extensive advocacy experience and regularly conducts her own interim hearings, as well as undefended final hearings, without the assistance of Counsel. While Ching’s strength is in robust representation at all stages of a Family Law matter, it is always her priority to maintain a resolution-focused approach in the interests of keeping clients out of litigation to preserve costs and maintain amicability wherever possible.

Annalisse is a compassionate and hardworking member of the team, with a variety of experience across both family law and care and protection. Annalisse has a keen interest in providing solutions for her clients, especially in times of distress and change. Annalisse acknowledges and understands that family law particularly is a trauma-informed practice, and requires patience, understanding and practical solutions. Annalisse prides herself on her ability to be both practical and caring in her approach. Annalisse is currently undertaking her Masters of Applied Family Law and uses the skills she learns to assist in her practice. Annalisse has a keen interest in complex parenting matters, and has run various urgent applications including recovery, and relocation applications.

Jaime is an Associate Solicitor at James and Jaramillo Lawyers, operating out of the Sydney and Wollongong offices. Practicing in Criminal, Traffic and Family Law, Jaime approaches all matters with patience, understanding and compassion, working in and out of the Courtroom to achieve the best outcome for every client. Jaime frequently appears in the Local Court for bail applications, sentences, defended hearings and Section 14 Applications, as well as in the District Court as solicitor advocate for appeal and sentence matters. She has also instructed Counsel for serious trial matters in the Sydney and Wollongong areas. Jaime also has experience in Family Law, taking carriage of parenting and property related matters. Jaime maintains a resolution-focused approach and can assist parties with reaching agreements outside of Court. However, where matters do proceed to Court, Jaime often conducts interim hearings and undefended final hearings before the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.

Marykate is an accomplished and internationally trained lawyer specializing in complex criminal and family law matters. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science with a minor in Anthropology from Baylor University in 2013 and earned her Juris Doctorate from Baylor University Law School in 2017, with a focus on litigation and advocacy. Marykate’s early legal career included a prestigious internship with Judge Walter Smith, a District Court Judge for the United States District Court for the Western District of Texas, where she gained invaluable experience in federal court proceedings. She then worked as a prosecutor at the Williamson County District Attorney’s Office in Georgetown, Texas, before transitioning into defense law, where she has built a reputation for her strategic, client-focused approach. In 2018, Marykate moved to Australia to further her education and broaden her expertise. She earned a Master of Criminology from the University of Sydney Law School in 2019, followed by a Master of Laws from the University of New South Wales in 2020. Her academic journey was complemented by her admissions to the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia in 2021, solidifying her credentials in both the Australian and international legal spheres. Marykate has been with James & Jaramillo Lawyers since the inception of our firm and has been a key team member across all matters. With a career marked by a strong foundation in both U.S. and Australian law, Marykate provides innovative and effective legal representation for clients navigating complex, high-stakes legal issues.