Our People
Pat Howman
Pat completed secondary school at Monivae College in Hamilton Victoria and completed a law degree at Melbourne University in 1975.Pat was appointed Notary Public in 1989 and has been a Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Specialist in Family Law since 1990.
​
Pat purchased the branch office of Melville Orton and Lewis in Portland in 1985 and has worked continuously in the region since and also acquired several other legal practices over the years.
​
Pat is the longest serving lawyer in the Portland region. He has been a continuous committee member of Western District Law Association since 1986 and was a member of the Law Institute Council in 1997/98. Pat practises principally in Family Law and Criminal Law but also litigation areas.
​
Pat has been involved in a multitude of community and service organisations and is a very strong supporter of the South West Victorian community. Pat has many extensive interests including walking, bike riding, travel and is an avid fisherman. Pat's four children live in the local area and all nine grandchildren live in Portland.
Julia Ray
Julia completed her Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice and Arts at Flinders University, Adelaide, graduating in 2016. She was admitted to the Supreme Court of South Australia and the High Court of Australia in 2016.
​
Julia practices in litigation in the areas of Criminal, Family, Family Violence. Also practice in the areas of Victims of Crime, Wills & Estates and is also a member of the Western District Legal Association and Law Institute of Victoria.
Julia plays a very active role in the community which includes being a member of the Portland Young Professionals Network, Standing Tall Mentor and Portland & District Relay for Life Co-Chair.
​
Portland is very dear to Julia's heart having being raised locally in Portland and returned to work here to be closer to family upon completion of her studies.
​
Julia prides herself on client advocacy and helping people navigate the stressful situations that lead them to the firm.
Robert Baker
Robert was raised in Portland and has been working in law firms locally for the past 24 years, Robert is also a Fellow of the Institute of Legal Executives.
​
Robert has been with the HBH team since 2009 and is actively involved in the local community, he is a passionate Geelong Football club fan and longstanding member. He is also enjoys golf and is a member of the Portland Golf Club.
​
Robert Works in the areas of conveyancing, Probate, Wills and Powers of Attorney and believes that experience is essential to ensure the best advice and attention to detail can be provided to
our clients.
Geoff Simpson
Geoff completed Law and Economics degrees in the 1970s and after practising with a mid-tier city firm's suburban office for a few years, he moved to Portland in 1980 and worked with Hull Newns & Ballantyne and moved to its Hamilton office in 1983. The firm merged with Cameron and Lowenstern in the mid 1980s to become Hunter Newns where Geoff was a partner until 2007. He continued with that firm as a Consultant until 2015. After a short break, he commenced with HBH Legal in 2015 as a Consultant.
​
Geoff was an accredited Business Law Specialist for more than 20 years and continues to practise in that area as well as Wills, Powers of Attorney, Succession Planning and Deceased Estates. He also has dealt with "Old Law" Titles, conversion of these Titles to TLA Titles and Adverse Possession matters for more than 30 years. He has extensive experience in general conveyancing (including farm sales and leases) retail leasing, business purchases and sales and subdivisions.
​
In his younger days he was playing coach of both Portland and Hamilton football clubs in the Hampden league. He also played in a cricket premiership with Colts "A" grade side.
He includes running, walking and cycling as his current interests.
​
Geoff resides in Port Fairy and has been married to Elaine for more than 40 years and has two adult children, Paul and Victoria.
