Benchmark Lawyers move into office on Denham street, offering a fixed fee model
A former dental nurse and a Townsville resident who fulfilled his lifelong dream of becoming a lawyer have opened their own law firm. Read why they believe they are set apart from the rest.
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A new Townsville law firm is setting itself apart by being upfront with their costs with hopes of reducing anxiety for their clients, as they begin the move into their new office space.
Benchmark Law Services is the newest addition to the ‘Dalgety’ building on Denham street, as owners Rob Jaleel Ballais and Jodie Van-Vegchel offer their services in family, property, domestic violence, criminal and civil law.
Mr Ballais was admitted as a solicitor in 2016, fulfilling his lifelong dream of working in law.
“I remember telling my basketball coach when I was 13 that I wanted to be a lawyer,” he said.
Working primarily in family law and domestic violence, Mr Ballais also has a keen interest in the property side of family law.
While Ms Van-Vegchel has only recently been admitted to practice in December last year, she has had over a decade of experience working in firms across Far North Queensland.
This has allowed her to build up a wealth of knowledge in family law, domestic violence, criminal law, child safety and youth justice, good behaviours orders and consumer law.
Ms Van-Vegchel said the pair decided to open their own start-up law firm when “the opportunity presented itself.”
“Rob and I had always worked so well together, we trusted each other, and once we actually sat down and had the conversation we knew we could do this and get it off the ground,” she said.
“We are a small boutique firm that wants to do something a little different.”
Their priority lies in being as transparent as possible about the costs of their services to streamline services and reduce as much stress as possible for their clients.
“We want to run things on a fixed fee model where you come to us and say ‘hey I’m having issues with my ex or I’ve got parenting stuff I’ve got to sort out’ and we will say to get you top the point, basically right up before you go to court, here’s how much it will cost,” Mr Ballais said.
Ms Van-Vegchel said that its their “ability to … give back without making clients feel like they are another pay packet.”
While the move into their new office space is far from over with wall builds and signage still to put up, the pair was so thankful for Colliers Real Estate and their agent Shaun Mclaren.
“Shaun was brilliant, I could not fault Shaun in any way shape or form,” Ms Van-Vegchel said.
“We would deal with him again, no drama.”
Mr Mclaren said that the new space was a perfect spot for the new law firm due to its location and proximity to the courthouse.
“They wanted a space that was close to the law courts and professional for clients in the future,” he said.
“This space had great natural light and an open plan layout so it was a great fit for their new business.”
The Benchmark Lawyers office is located at 102/84 Denham Street, Townsville City.
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Originally published as Benchmark Lawyers move into office on Denham street, offering a fixed fee model
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