Top 15 Sunshine Coast lawyers ranked

From leading coronial inquests to being recognised as state industry leaders, these are the top 15 lawyers on the Sunshine Coast. SEE THE LIST:

From firm directors acting for those building multimillion-dollar developments to others leading inquests into murders, the Sunshine Coast is home to an abundance of legal eagles ready to fight for their clients.

Through listings on the national guide to lawyers Doyle’s Guide, legal accolades, and peer reviews from lawyers across the Coast, the Sunshine Coast Daily has ranked 15 of the top lawyers in our region.

SEE THE LIST BELOW:

15. Chelsea Emery, Chelsea Emery and Associates

Sunshine Coast lawyer Chelsea Emery. Picture: Contributed

Principal lawyer of her eponymous firm, Chelsea Emery has been an advocate for defence law since her beginnings in a specialist Brisbane firm in 1999.

Ms Emery said her placement with Legal Aid in southeast Queensland was an eye opening experience which drew her to the legal area.

Following her admission to the legal profession in 2003 Ms Emery managed the Sunshine Coast office of the specialist firm before opening her own practice in 2010.

She has since obtained her specialist accreditation in criminal law while also having regular appearances in the Doyle’s Guide under criminal law.

In her career she has dealt with all crimes from murders, frauds, to simple matters of traffic and drink driving.

She is a life member of the Sunshine Coast Law Association, has been a lecturer in criminal law at the University of the Sunshine Coast and has two solicitors who work in her firm.

14. Anna Smith, Smith Criminal Law

Sunshine Coast criminal lawyer Anna Smith. Picture: Contributed

Growing up reading crime novels, Smith Criminal Law’s Anna Smith always wanted to delve into the legal world when growing up.

Ms Smith has more than 20 years’ experiences on both sides of criminal law in New South Wales and Queensland.

She’s had stints at the Director of Public Prosecutions in both states working as a crown prosecutor and in between in child protection law in England.

Upon returning Ms Smith worked at the Crime and Misconduct Commission, specialising in special and high profile police cases.

She then made the move to the Sunshine Coast and worked as a crown prosecutor before taking the bar and going into defence work.

Ms Smith said she has been admitted for 22 years and had been practising defence law since 2009.

The criminal dynamo said her time working in defence has given her a well rounded view of the extraordinary positions her clients are in.

Ms Smith took over Bosscher Lawyers in 2012 before renaming it Smith Criminal Law in 2016, which hires two staff.

13. Jacob Corbett, Bradley and Bray Solicitors

Jacob Corbett from Bradley and Bray Solicitors is a finalist in a young lawyers program, 30Under30.

Local young gun Jacob Corbett has had a meteoric rise since being admitted the legal profession at 26-years-old.

Now a director at Bradley and Bray Solicitors on the Sunshine Coast, Mr Corbett bought half of the firm shortly after he was given a start by solicitor and now co-director Mark Bray.

Mr Corbett specialises in commercial and business law and has also won honours in property law too.

His short but distinct career has earned eight honours since 2019, including more recently winning the 2022 International Advisory Experts Business Lawyer of the year, and the 2021 Australasian Lawyer ‘Most Influential Lawyers – Changemakers’ (National) award.

In his spare time Mr Corbett is a committee member on the Sunshine Coast Young Chamber of Commerce, is on the advisory council for PEXA, an enormous electronic conveyancing provider company and is the appointed honorary solicitor for the Mapleton Bowls Club.

 

12. Chloe Kopilovic, FC Lawyers

Sunshine Coast lawyer Chloe Kopilovic. Picture: Contributed

Lawyer Chloe Kopilovic said she’s fallen in love with the Sunshine Coast since making the move to the region in 2011 from Western Australia.

More than a decade on she has risen through the ranks at FC Lawyers from trainee solicitor to one of its directors in 2021.

Ms Kopilovic primarily focuses on wills, estates and succession law.

She became the youngest member of the Queensland Law Society Council for the 2016/17 term and was re-elected for her 2018/19 term, while also completing her Masters in Applied Law.

The Doyle’s Guide included the FC Lawyers director in Queensland’s recommended lawyers in wills, estates and litigations in 2021 as well.

In her down time Ms Kopilovic is involved in the not-for-profit Spark Bureau as well as being a director of the Uniforms 4 Kids charity.

11. John Gallagher, Argon Law

Sunshine Coast lawyer John Gallagher. Picture: Contributed

Founder and director of Argon Law John Gallagher has more than 30 years’ experience under his belt and was recognised on a national level for his craft.

His passion for commercial and property law led him to work for several firms and banks in his early ears before spending time at the bar.

Mr Gallagher said he enjoyed spending time in Sydney and Melbourne while working with banks, but returned closer to his origins and came back to the Sunshine Coast.

Now in his 20th year in the region, Mr Gallagher was named as a Queensland finalist in the Australia Law Awards in 2020.

The law guru said his firm Argon Law would have to be one of his greatest achievements after building it up over a decade up to 14 staff.

Mr Gallagher has other roles outside of his law firm where he was as the company secretary at Sun Central Board Maroochydore which will oversee the design and delivery of the Maroochydore City Centre Priority Development Area.

Mr Gallagher has also devoted his time volunteering with the Sunshine Coast legal service, where he received an award for his 12 years’ of service.

10. John Kruger, Kruger Law

Sunshine Coast lawyer John Kruger. Picture: Contributed

With a career spanning over 40 years, John Kruger of Kruger Law has serviced the Sunshine Coast through his passion for property, commercial, elder and estate law.

After arriving to the region in 1980 and through several stints in Mooloolaba and Maroochydore, Mr Kruger opened his eponymous firm Kruger Law in 1990, which now hires up to six people.

Mr Kruger has practised in commercial law, leasing, conveyancing and in retirement villages, while other parts of his firm help with estates, litigations and wills.

After 42 years as a business owner and 15 years in Kruger Law, Mr Kruger made Trent Wakerley a partner in 2015 before taking on a full time consultant role in 2021.

Mr Kruger has worked tirelessly as a community leader in the last several decades on the Coast, previously volunteering as the director of the Buderim Foundation and was a founding committee member of the Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce along with being its vice president for a time.

He helped create the Sunshine Coast Business Awards while he was still in the chamber and was also on the founding committee of the Seven Sunshine Coast Marathon.

 

9. Malcolm McColm, McColm Matsinger Lawyers

Sunshine Coast lawyer Malcolm McColm. Picture: Contributed

With nearly 50 years’ experience in the law arena Sunshine Coast lawyer Malcolm McColm is one of the region’s longest serving legal eagles.

After being admitted to law in 1975 and practising in Brisbane and overseas, Mr McColm made the move to the Sunshine Coast shortly afterwards.

In his years on the Coast he has been a partner in several firms for 45 years, including his eponymous practise McColm and Matsinger which he opened in 1998.

Mr McColm said he has been one of the directors for his firm for more than 20 years and the firm hires up to 12 people including five lawyers.

His expertise in estate planning, commercial law, wills and trusts has made him a man his clients can trust on the Coast.

Throughout the years Mr McColm has held several positions in the community including the chairman and director of Sunshine Coast Grammar School, the director of the Sunshine Coast Events Centre and was on the management committee of the Australia Zoo Wildlife Warriors Worldwide Ltd.

 

8. Brendan Bathersby, Bathersby Legal

Brendan Bathersby. Picture: Photo Patrick Woods

From his regional roots in Stanthorpe to the beautiful beaches of Maroochydore, Sunshine Coast lawyer Brendan Bathersby has made his mark on the region.

Formerly a long time partner of Garland Waddington Solicitors, Mr Bathersby branched out into his own firm in 2020.

Since being admitted in 1998 Mr Bathersby has been a lawyer in Stanthorpe before he relocated to the Sunshine Coast.

Mr Bathersby has practised commercial litigation during his career and has developed a niche speciality into building and construction law.

Mr Bathersby has been a part of Master Builders Queensland for 20 years.

Mr Bathersby’s love for local business led to Mr Bathersby being an executive of the Maroochydore Chamber of Commerce as well as its president.

Mr Bathersby has also been an active member on various boards including a number of charities and the Australian Institute Trade College.

7. Leisa Toomey, Toomey Family Law

Sunshine Coast lawyer Leisa Toomey. Picture: Contributed

Leisa Toomey of Toomey Family Law has been one of the go-to voices in the legal world for more than 20 years.

Ms Toomey was first admitted as a lawyer in 1998 and has racked up several honours in her distinguished career.

She became an accredited family law specialist in 2003, has been a Queensland Law Society mediator since 2004 and an independent children’s lawyer since 2005.

Ms Toomey was a partner at one of the largest firms on the Sunshine Coast for 15 years before it was sold to Slater and Gordon and employed up to 70 staff with 15 lawyers during its time.

Following a three-year break Ms Toomey returned to family law from property development and started Toomey Family Law in 2020.

She now has five support staff including two lawyers and handles everything from property settlements to children’s cases.

Ms Toomey is also part of the Sunshine Coast Law Association, Family Law Section of the Law Council Australia and the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network.

 

6. Liz Catton, Catton and Tondelstrand

Sunshine Coast lawyer Liz Catton. Picture: Contributed

Liz Catton lives and breathes family law and has the accolades to prove it after being recommended as a leading family and divorce lawyer on the Sunshine Coast in the Doyle’s Guide for 2018—2021.

Originally cutting her teeth in commercial and corporate law in Brisbane, Ms Catton began working with the Queensland government helping with significant reforms in land and water legislation.

Through her dealings in problem solving Ms Catton worked with NAB and the Australian Bank Industry Ombudsman before going into family law in central Queensland.

Her knack for dispute resolution saw her excel into her field where she has spent 14 years in family law where she became an accredited specialist in the field.

Ms Catton worked in a national firm for many years before starting Catton and Tondelstrand with Angela Tondelstrand, where their skills have collided to become a force to be reckoned with in and out of the courtroom.

Among her achievements Ms Catton was also a finalist in the Corporate Business Woman of the Year for the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network in 2021.

 

5. Angela Tondelstrand, Catton and Tondelstrand Lawyers

Sunshine Coast lawyer Angela Tondelstrand. Picture: Contributed

Another accredited family law specialist, Angela Tondelstrand has also made her way on the Doyle’s Guide several times, including most recently for recommended lawyers in pre-eminent family law on the Sunshine Coast for 2021.

She received similar accolades from the Doyle’s Guide such as leading family lawyer Sunshine Coast 2020, leading parenting and children’s matters lawyer Sunshine Coast 2021 and 2019, leading family and divorce lawyer Sunshine Coast 2019 and recommended family and divorce lawyer Sunshine Coast 2018.

Since her admission in 2004 Ms Tondelstrand has hit the ground running and made family law her passion.

The difference she makes in people’s lives assisting them through divorces and custody settlements fuels her fire everyday in her profession.

Prior to beginning Catton and Tondelstrand the Doyle’s Guide mainstay had worked for a national law firm for 12 years where she progressed her career.

After departing that firm she began her firm Catton and Tondelstrand Lawyers with Liz Catton in 2018, which employs up to 12 people including lawyers and support staff.

Ms Tondelstrand is also involved in helping the Mito Foundation for the mitochondrial disease, as well as DV Safe Phone for domestic violence victims.

4. Ken Waddington, Garland Waddington Solicitors

Ken Waddington, a partner at Garland Waddington Solicitors, Maroochydore.

In his own words Garland Waddington Solicitors’ Ken Waddington has acted for those who have built the Coast over the last 40 years.

Mr Waddington was admitted as a lawyer in 1980 and has predominantly focused on commercial and property law, along with giving advice as well as estate planning.

He believes as he and his clients have aged, their needs have changed from asset structuring to estate planning for the next generation during what he believes is the “biggest wealth transfer in human history”.

His love for problem solving has helped him work with firms from Melbourne, Sydney and Brisbane before he established Garland and Waddington in Maroochydore where he has been a partner for several decades.

Among his clients have been councils, universities, and large developers who have contributed to the increase in high rise buildings over the years as the Coast grows into a thriving business hub.

He has also acted for and been a director for several charities in his spare time.

 

3. Pippa Colman, Pippa Colman & Associates

Pippa Colman, Founding Director of Pippa Colman & Associates Law Practice

Starting her legal career at the age of 17, Ms Colman has lived and worked for most of her life on the Sunshine Coast.

After starting her own firm Pippa Colman and Associates in 2001, Ms Colman has provided her expertise in the fields of family and divorce law.

Her exploits have earned her title as a leading lawyer in her field from 2019—2021 on the Sunshine Coast and regional Queensland in the Doyle’s Guide of lawyers.

She is a qualified mediator and arbitrator and hires up to 10 solicitors and 10 support staff at her practice in Maroochydore.

Ms Colman was one the only female solicitors when she was admitted on the Sunshine Coast in 1979 after completing her studies as a country student before her article of clerkship.

In her 43-year career her work covers divorce and property settlements as well as wills, estates and elder law.

Her work in the community is more than commendable after being on the steering community for the Maroochydore Neighbourhood Centre in the 1980s.

Ms Colman also helped establish the Sunshine Coast Family Centre in the 1990s and helped pioneer the duty solicitor scheme on the Sunshine Coast.

She is seen as a leader in her field and is invited to present and speak at a number of family law conferences throughout the year.

2. Travis Schultz, Travis Schultz and Partners

Sunshine Coast lawyer and wine lover Travis Schultz. Picture: Supplied

If you see a purple taxi or bus around the region chances are you’re looking at Travis Schultz’s face.

The compensation and public liability lawyer has made a name for himself on the Sunshine Coast through his successful practices and multiple legal accolades to his name and has the profile to match.

After falling into law in his teenage years, Mr Schultz has gone from strength to strength in his career and has become one of the state’s industry leaders in compensation law.

Mr Schultz has received five Doyle’s Guide recommendations in his field and most recently in 2021 acknowledged him as the only lawyer in Australia to be pre-eminent in all three compensation law areas.

Determined by his peers, this recognition is the sixth listing in a row for Mr Schultz.

This area of compensation and litigation law appealed to Travis as he loved the ability to make a difference in his client’s lives when they need someone in the legal profession.

After being admitted in 1994 he became an accredited specialist in personal injury law in 1999 and founded Travis Schultz and Partners in 2018 after being a partner in another firm previously.

In 2019 and 2021, his firm were winners of the Professional Services Category in the prestigious Sunshine Coast Business Awards.

Mr Schultz is also entrenched in his community and is a board member for the LifeFlight Foundation and has raised money for Wishlist, Sunshine Coast Health Services, and SunnyKids.

 

1. Peter Boyce, Butler McDermott Lawyers

Prominent Sunshine Coast lawyer Peter Boyce.

Referring to himself as the “lonely old lawyer” Butler McDermott’s principal Peter Boyce OAM has racked up quite the career in the past 40 years.

Mr Boyce started at Butler McDermott after studies and previous work in Brisbane.

He eventually bought out the firm in 1977 and has been servicing the region ever since through all areas of the law.

Mr Boyce has dealt in criminal matters along with legal aid for 18 years, as well as litigation, family law, and “whatever came through the door”.

He became a household name through his efforts finding justice through the Morcombe Coronial Inquest for Daniel Morcombe, who was abducted and murdered in 2003.

These efforts as well as his pro bono and community work earned him the Order of Australia Medal in 2013, and the Civil Justice Award the same year from the Australian Lawyers Alliance.

He was even featured in the Australian Story program The Man Behind the Morcombes in 2015, and also earned the Queensland Law Society’s President’s medal in 2016.

His involvement in community work knows no bounds, with Mr Boyce being involved in the Sunshine Coast Turf Club, Wishlist, and the Daniel Morcombe Foundation.

Originally published as Top 15 Sunshine Coast lawyers ranked