Who We Are

Simon returned with his family to live in the Northern Rivers in 2014 after a 33-year international business career. His property finance career began as a senior accountant for the Ritz Hotel in London and grew as Finance Director and Property Acquisitions Specialist in the luxury hotel sector. Additionally, Simon spent 12 years working in the New York City hotel market in financial, asset management and senior operational roles.

Simon earned both an Associate Degree in Law, majoring in Conveyancing and a Bachelor of Laws from Southern Cross University, completed his professional legal training at the College of Law and holds a Principal Practicing Certificate with the Law Society of New South Wales.

 

Adam graduated with honours from Southern Cross University School of Law & Justice with a Bachelor of Laws. His early years were spent living on the Far North Coast of NSW and, after completing his high schooling in Brisbane and Sydney, he trained as a chef operating restaurants and catering businesses in Sydney before working as the Executive Chef at a 5 star hotel in China. In 2002 Adam merged his extensive first hand small business experience with a law career when he returned with his family to live in the Northern Rivers. Adam is the principal of BvK Solicitors & Attorneys, a practice established in Byron Bay over 30 years ago. Adam’s membership of the boards of Sprung!! Integrated Dance Theatre Inc. and Byron Writers Festival over many years shows his strong commitment to the local community.

 

Sue works between the family firms of BvK Solicitors Attorneys and van Kempen & Associates during which time she plays the role of Office & HR Manager, Graphic & Web Designer and Marketing Manager. During her working life Sue has fulfilled admin and creative roles in many large and small companies in Australia, the UK, and Hungary. She returned to Australia in 2013, after living for 15 years in Budapest, where she gained further experience with international businesses and became fluent in Hungarian.

Having worked with her brother Adam in restaurants and catering, decades before, she was delighted when he asked her would she join the firm in 2013.

 

 

Kimberly grew up in the Byron Shire and moved to Brisbane after completing year 12. She worked in large law firms gaining experience in personal injury having worked her way up from receptionist to paralegal and then in defendant insurance as a PA.

Having moved back to the Byron area in 2015 for work-life balance Kimberly started working in leasing and joined the Peter A Smith Law Practice in 2020 as a conveyancing paralegal.

Kimberly has 2 small children who keep her happy and busy and she and the family love getting away for camping trips to the beach in their spare time.

 

Gabriella completed her Associate Degree in Law, majoring in Conveyancing, in 2020 at Southern Cross University and commenced working in 2021 at McInnes Legal as a commercial paralegal.

She enjoys spending time with friends and family, at the farmers’ markets, the beach and camping.

Gabriella has grown up and spent her life in the Northern Rivers area.

 

Makenzi has been working as a paralegal with VKA Law since April 2024. Prior to commencing with VKA Law, Makenzi had been working as a paralegal in personal injury.

Makenzi completed her Law Degree in December 2025 at the University of Queensland. She plans on becoming a Solicitor following completion of her Practical Legal Training in 2026.

Makenzi has lived on the Northern Rivers for most of her life and enjoys jiu jitsu, reading, painting, golfing and spending time with her friends and family.