Family & separation
Guidance through separation, parenting arrangements and property settlements, with a preference for negotiated outcomes that protect relationships where possible.
- Parenting plans
- Settlements
- Mediation support
Independent legal counsel
Clear counsel for life’s hardest decisions.
Plum Atlas Law helps individuals, families and small businesses understand where they stand, what their options are, and what happens next — in plain language, from the first conversation.
Plain answers
No jargon walls. You leave every meeting knowing your next step.
One point of contact
Your matter stays with the lawyer who first heard it.
Fees agreed upfront
A written scope and estimate before any billable work begins.
Practice areas
Focused where it matters to you.
We keep our practice deliberately narrow so every client benefits from depth rather than breadth.
Employment
Advice for employees and small employers on contracts, workplace disputes, restructures and exits — before a problem escalates, or once it already has.
- Contract review
- Dismissal
- Workplace complaints
Property & tenancy
Support with residential purchases, leases, boundary questions and landlord–tenant disagreements, explained step by step so nothing is signed blind.
- Purchases
- Leases
- Tenancy disputes
Business disputes
Practical counsel for founders and owners facing partner disagreements, unpaid invoices or supplier conflicts, with a clear view of cost against likely outcome.
- Partner disputes
- Debt recovery
- Commercial contracts
How we work
Three steps, no surprises.
Legal problems feel heavy partly because the path is unclear. We make the path visible from day one.
i.
Listen
A confidential first consultation focused on your situation, your priorities and the documents that matter most.
ii.
Map the options
A short written summary of realistic routes forward, the risks of each, and an honest fee estimate for the one you choose.
iii.
Act with you
We negotiate, draft and represent you, with regular updates in plain language and no decisions made without your sign-off.
Principal attorney
Mara Ellison
Mara founded Plum Atlas Law after years in larger firms, where she saw how often clients felt left out of their own matters. Her practice is built around the opposite: small caseloads, direct access and candid advice — including when the best advice is not to litigate.
- ApproachResolution first, courtroom when necessary.
- CommunicationWritten updates at every meaningful milestone.
- ClientsIndividuals, families and owner-run businesses.
Fees & FAQ
Before you reach out.
Straight answers to the questions people most often ask before contacting a lawyer.
What happens in the first consultation?
We spend the time understanding your situation and goals, identify the key legal issues, and outline possible next steps. You are under no obligation to proceed afterwards.
How are fees structured?
Depending on the matter, we offer fixed fees for defined tasks or hourly billing with an agreed cap. Either way you receive a written scope and estimate before billable work starts.
Is what I share kept confidential?
Yes. Consultations are treated as confidential. Before we accept a matter we run a conflict check, which is why we ask for only a brief outline in the enquiry form.
What should I bring?
Any contracts, letters, notices or timelines related to your matter. If you are unsure what is relevant, bring it — we will help sort through it together.
Do you only handle matters that go to court?
No. Many matters are resolved through advice, negotiation or mediation. We recommend court only when it genuinely serves your interests.
Consultation enquiry
Tell us, briefly, what’s happening.
Share a short outline and a good time to reach you. We reply to every enquiry, usually within two working days, to arrange a consultation.
Please avoid sensitive details for now. We will ask for more once a conflict check is complete.