The Bar: 2013
Solicitor: 1982

University of Sydney LLB

38 Church Street
Newcastle  NSW  2300

p. +61 2 4929 6788
f.  +61 2 4929 5524
srugendyke@newcastlechambers.com.au

Steve practised as a solicitor for just over 30 years before coming to the bar in May 2013.  Upon graduating from the University of Sydney and being admitted in 1982, he commenced practice in Sydney CBD and over the next 30 years worked in Sydney suburbs, Armidale and Campbelltown and then back to Armidale, where he built a strong and broadly based specialist family law practice.  He conducted cases in every state and territory in Australia and represented clients from Townsville to Hobart to Broome, as well as overseas.

He had many years advocacy experience before going to the bar. For the last 10-12 years prior, he was a solicitor-advocate conducting almost all of his own hearings before Local Court, Federal Magistrates Court (as it was), Family Court and Full Court. He was on the legal aid ICL panel for over 20 years.

He then relocated to Newcastle in 2008 and worked for Slater & Gordon and was then a partner at Catherine Henry Partners, and a few years later in May 2013 came to the bar and joined Newcastle Chambers, where he very quickly developed a busy family law practice covering all aspects of family law.