Richard Neal

Richard Neal

Partner, Teece Hodgson & Ward

Modules:

Areas of expertise:

Estate Planning, Trusts (including Charitable Trusts), Contested Estate Disputes, Family Provision, Equity Litigation, Probate-Related Advice, Financial Management, and Guardianship

Academic Qualifications:

  • LLB (University of Sydney)
  • LLM (University of Sydney)
  • Accredited Specialist in Wills and Estates Law (NSW)

Biography:

Richard Neal is an Accredited Specialist in Wills and Estates Law with over 50 years of experience advising clients on complex estate and succession matters. A partner at Teece Hodgson & Ward in Sydney, he has extensive expertise in equity litigation, contested estates, will construction, family provision claims, and trust administration. He also provides estate planning guidance, particularly in matters involving foreign assets and cross-border succession issues.

Richard is named in the Doyle’s Guide from 2015 to 2024 as a Preeminent Wills & Estates Litigation Lawyer – New South Wales and Preeminent Wills, Estates Planning and Succession Planning Lawyer – New South Wales.

Beyond his legal practice, Richard is a respected educator and thought leader in succession law. Since 1986, he has conducted workshops and seminars for solicitors’ continuing legal education and frequently acts as an expert witness in estate litigation.

Publications

  • Co-author, Mason and Handler's Succession Law and Practice NSW (LexisNexis)
  • Co-author, Hutley's Australian Wills Precedents, 9th Edition
  • Advisor, Practical Guidance Succession (LexisNexis)
  • Regular contributor of seminar papers and case reviews on wills, family provision, estate disputes, and elder law

Awards & Recognition

  • Fellow, Australian Academy of Law
  • Member, STEP NSW Committee (since 2012)
  • STEP Australia Education Officer (since 2013)
  • Member, Advisory Committee on Succession Law Reform, NSW Attorney General’s Office
  • Former Chair, Advisory Committee for Specialist Accreditation in Wills and Estates Law, NSW (1999–2007)

Speaking Engagements
Richard has been a keynote speaker at numerous legal education events, focusing on estate planning, succession law reform, and probate litigation.

Professional Organisations & Memberships

  • Member, International Academy of Estate and Trust Law
  • Member, Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP)
  • Affiliate Member, The Taxation Institute
  • Member, Supreme Court of NSW Probate Users’ Committee
  • Member, Elder Law, Capacity & Succession Committee, Law Society of NSW

Professional Contact
Teece Hodgson & Ward
Level 10, 1 Chifley Square, Sydney NSW 2000
Tel: +61 2 9232 3733