About Sapphire Legal
Delivering real solutions for your family, estate and property matters
At Sapphire Legal, we pride ourselves on providing personalised legal services in Family Law, Wills & Estates, and Conveyancing to the Hornsby, Upper North Shore and surrounding communities. Led by solicitor Gayle McKenzie, our team is committed to delivering practical, solutions-focused advice tailored to each client’s unique situation.
Recognised as a finalist in the local business awards in 2022 and 2023, we are honoured to be acknowledged for our dedication to client service and legal excellence in the Hornsby and Ku-ring-gai community.
We understand that navigating legal matters can be overwhelming, especially when it comes to the financial side. That’s why we offer a wide range of fixed-fee legal services, ensuring transparency and peace of mind when it comes to managing costs. You can trust us to guide you through the legal process with clear communication and a focus on achieving the best possible outcome.
We prioritise conflict resolution, striving to resolve disputes without the need for court proceedings whenever possible. Our goal is to help you achieve stability and security for you and your family’s future while providing compassionate, reliable support every step of the way.
If you’re looking for a legal team that’s dedicated to finding real solutions and working towards resolution, Sapphire Legal is here to help.
How We Deliver Successful Outcomes
Meet Our Team
Gayle McKenzie
Principal Solicitor
Admitted to the legal profession in February 2017, Gayle embarked on her journey as a solicitor later in life after dedicating approximately 16 years to the medical industry. During 2022 she also served as a lecturer at the University of Technology teaching Medicine and Law.
Drawing upon her extensive background beyond the legal sphere, Gayle’s approach to practising law is uniquely shaped by her diverse experiences. Grounded in her belief that a solicitor’s paramount duty to their client is to minimise conflict and devise practical, sensible and prompt solutions, her advice is a testament to her comprehensive understanding of the law and her down to earth approach.
In 2021, Gayle founded Sapphire Legal, a boutique law firm dedicated to delivering legal services that prioritise a personal approach. Choosing Gayle as your solicitor offers a distinct advantage over larger firms – you not only receive legal guidance from someone who views you as a real person, but also benefit from a solicitor who operates without the burden of meeting billable hour quotas. This ensures a focus on your needs and a commitment to providing quality service without the constraints of traditional time-based billing pressures as commonly associated with employee solicitors.
An avid supporter of alternative dispute resolution methods, Gayle actively promotes the utilisation of resources such as mediation, negotiation, arbitration and collaborative law whenever feasible.
Yijian (James) Deng
Solicitor | Languages spoken: English, Mandarin, Cantonese
Admitted as a lawyer by the Supreme Court of NSW in October 2019 and by the Ministry of Justice of China in March 2013, James is a solicitor specialising in Civil Law; expertise areas are Family Law, Property Law, Wills & Estates Law, and Civil Litigation. James is a Juris Doctor who graduated from the University of New South Wales and a Juris Master who graduated from Sun Yat-Sen University.
James started his practice in 2020 and gained experience in a wide range of Civil Law Matters, including Family Law, Property Law, Wills and Estates Law, Civil Litigation, Children’s Law, Business Law, Immigration Law and Employment Law.
In August 2024, James joined Sapphire Legal and quickly became an integral part of the team. At Sapphire Legal, James works exclusively in Family Law, Property Law, Wills and Estates, and Civil Litigation. He has experience across a range of matters, including Divorce, Property matters, Parenting matters, Financial agreements, Consent orders, Wills and estate documentation, Probate, Family provision matters, Business Law and Civil litigation.
Highly recognised for his insight and ability to identify critical issues in all kinds of Civil Disputes, he is also a collaborative lawyer and dedicated to Sapphire Legal’s value of minimising conflict and devising practical, sensible and prompt solutions for the clients.
James has extensive cross-cultural experience and mindful cultural awareness. He speaks fluent Mandarin and Cantonese and can provide legal assistance to Mandarin and Cantonese-speaking clients.
Get Practical Legal Advice Today
Our team is ready to listen, understand your situation and provide the best legal solutions tailored to your needs.
