Lawyer Dan Creevey calls for more regional lawyers

The lack of lawyers across regional Queensland is having a devastating effect on those suffering from family violence, with calls to create incentives for legal workers to move bush.

Lawyer Dan Creevey of Creevey and Horrell Law in plea for more lawyers to move to Toowoomba and Roma. Picture: Supplied

A shortage of lawyers across regional Queensland has had devastating effects on family violence victims who are missing out on vital legal representation, according to a veteran lawyer who has ignited calls for more to relocate.

Creevey Horrell Lawyers principal Dan Creevey said he had more than five law positions he could fill tomorrow in his Toowoomba or Roma based office, but barely one application to fill them.

In fact, only one in ten lawyers practice in regional areas throughout Australia, the 2022 National Profile of Solicitors found, despite a third of Australia’s population living in regional or remote areas.

Mr Creevey said the most difficult part was finding, training and keeping lawyers specialised in civil litigation and family law.

Lawyer Dan Creevey of Creevey and Horrell Law in plea for more regional lawyers to Toowoomba and Roma. Picture: Supplied

“It takes about five years to train someone in litigation if they come fresh out of university,” he said.

“I could also put two family lawyers on tomorrow.”

Without access to legal advice, victims of family violence are left more vulnerable, and can struggle to understand the legal steps to improve their situation, University of Southern Queensland’s Head of Law Jonathan Crowe said.

The lack of access in regional and remote areas risks creating a “two-tiered justice system”, he said.

“Digital provision of legal advice can partly address this problem, but there is no substitute for locally-based professionals who can provide personal guidance suited to local conditions,” Dr Crowe said.

University of Queensland Head of Law, Dr Jonathan Crowe

It comes with mounting pressure from the Law Council of Australia to provide lawyers with incentives such as a HECS/HELP debt relief should they choose to work and live in a regional or remote location.

“This workforce shortfall adversely impacts access to justice for people who live in these underserviced regions,” Law Council of Australia President Luke Murphy said.

Most law graduates enter the workforce with a HELP debt of at least $70,000, and an offer of forgiveness would significantly encourage early and mid-career lawyers to move into these underserviced areas, he said.

Creevey Horrell Lawyers have offices in Hawthorne St, Roma, but no permanent staff member living in town.

“Financial incentives are not the only factor which will affect the recruitment and retention of legal practitioners in regional, rural and remote areas, but we believe this is a good starting point and could be provided at minimal expense to the Commonwealth,” he said.

Mr Creevey welcomed such an incentive similar to what is available for doctors and nurses.

While Creevey Horrell is a full-service law firm with offices in Brisbane, Toowoomba, Townsville and Roma, Mr Creevey said regular travel out to Roma was the only reason they could remain in the town.

“I’d love to place someone out there,” he said.

Originally published as Lawyer Dan Creevey calls for more regional lawyers