Our People
With our work/life balance at the forefront of our values and both principals having previously worked for national firms, we are aware of the strain that long hours and demanding work commitments can inflict upon families.
To create an environment that we enjoy working in, we agreed that rather than model the firm on the traditional “pyramid” structure, a flat style approach was far more effective. The flat structure, (see diagram, right) allows for the senior practitioner to spend quality time imparting knowledge onto the junior lawyer, allowing them to grow and expand their skill level more rapidly than under a pyramid structure. This enables us to grow effectively increasing stability, the rewards are higher and in turn the viability of the firm makes for stronger succession planning.
Michael Neal
Michael Neal is a leading solicitor practising in Native Title law in Australia. He is also a partner of p&e Law and is based in the Cairns Office. Michael’s professional achievements in this field are considerable and include many “firsts”, such as:
- Successfully negotiating Australia’s first Indigenous Land Use Agreement;
- Acting for applicant’s in Australia’s first determination of native title over pastoral lands; and
- Acting for the Jawoyn People in Australia’s first post Mabo mining agreement, including a joint venture for contract mining.
Michael continues to provide unparalleled legal advice in relation to native title issues and development of Aboriginal land.
Being an avid cyclist, riding around northern Queensland and New Zealand is one of Michael’s favourite pastimes. He also spends (in his opinion, too little) time outdoors with his young family and relaxing on Magnetic Island.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Laws – University of New South Wales
- Bachelor of Science – University of New South Wales
Admissions
- Supreme Court (Queensland, New South Wales, South Australia, Western Australia & Northern Territory)
- High Court of Australia
Lestar Manning
Lestar Manning is one of Queensland’s prominent and highly-regarded environment and planning solicitors. He has been intimately involved with the development of the legislation, regulating planning and development in Queensland – the Integrated Planning Act 1997 – through his provision of technical legal advice to government policy makers.
Lestar has acted for State and Local Government in drafting and settling planning and environmental laws including IPA.
After successfully running his planning and environment legal practice for many years, Lestar created p&e Law. Lestar has successfully provided legal advice at the cutting-edge of town planning, vegetation management and environmental law exclusively since 1990.
Whilst Lestar is based in Maroochydore he frequently attends the office in Cairns.
With a strong passion for rebuilding MGs, Lestar is just at home with his head under a car bonnet or in legal research. For personal time, Lestar likes to escape to the bush, beach or minefields with his family to camp, go fossicking or fishing. You’ll also find him running or cycling the hills of Noosa on any given day.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Laws – Queensland University of Technology
Admissions
- Supreme Court of Queensland
- High Court of Australia
Madonna Griffin
Madonna Griffin is based in p&e Law’s Maroochydore office. She has a qualification in applied science which well complements her legal skills in the area of town planning and environment. Madonna has built up through her eight years of employment with p&e Law a strong background in the jurisdiction of planning and environment law. She has conducted actions in the Magistrates Court, District Court on appeal, Planning and Environment Court, Supreme Court and Court of Appeal. Her practice also includes administrative law.
Madonna has a strong interest in vegetation management law and has been involved in several leading prosecutions under the Vegetation Management Act, provided due diligence advice in relation to vegetation issues for development and advised in relation to restrictive covenants. Madonna is also very interested in the philosophy of property rights, and monitors legislative changes which impact upon those rights.
Qualifications
- Associate Diploma of Applied Science – Queensland University
- Bachelor of Laws (LLB) – Queensland University of Technology
Admissions
- Supreme Court of Queensland
- High Court of Australia
Mark Baker-Jones
Mark Baker-Jones is based in p&e Law’s Maroochydore office. He joined p&e Law in 2006 having previously practised in a number of top tier firms.
Mark acts for both private and public sector clients in a range of environmental matters. Mark’s main areas of work relate to planning and environment law including water, vegetation, and climate change law. However, over the last six years he has practised in all aspects of associated law including compulsory acquisition of land, valuation, land access and native title law.
Mark has provided extensive advice in relation to matters under the Integrated Planning Act 1997 including the lapsing of approvals, vegetation clearing, infrastructure charging including water supply and sewerage headworks contributions, easements, conservation covenants, and concurrence agency powers.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Property – University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Bachelor of Laws – University of Auckland, New Zealand
- Graduate Institute of Professional Legal Studies New Zealand
Admissions
- Supreme Court (Queensland, New South Wales & Western Australia)
- High Court of Australia
- High Court of New Zealand
Matt Patterson
Matt Patterson is based in p&e Law’s Maroochydore office and commenced in June 2009. Prior to moving home to Queensland in 2001, Matt practised for a number of years at a specialist litigation firm in Sydney. He has for the past 8 years practised almost exclusively as a native title, planning and environment lawyer.
Matt has recently successfully negotiated major projects involving the settlement of tenure and land management arrangements between the Queensland government, native title holders and pastoralists and in 2007 negotiated new legislative arrangements governing aspects of land management in Cape York Peninsula.
Matt has extensive experience in local, State and Commonwealth environmental law, the conduct of Planning and Environment Court appeals and related planning and development law including leasing, easements, conservation agreements, vegetation management, water and carbon rights as well as administrative law.
In his spare time Matt enjoys bodysurfing at the beach with his family, camping, cycling, reading and has a keen interest in politics.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Laws – University of Sydney
- Bachelor of Arts – University of Sydney
Admissions
- Supreme Court of Queensland
- Supreme Court of New South Wales
- High Court of Australia
Tracey White
Tracey White is a solicitor in p&e Law’s Cairns office and practises in the areas of town planning, environment and local government law. Prior to joining p&e Law, Tracey worked extensively with community-based stakeholders in the environment jurisdiction and brings with her a wealth of understanding to environment and planning law issues from both sides of the fence.
Tracey has advised local governments (including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Councils), developers and other stakeholders on a range of issues including governance, development approvals and conditions, land tenure issues, covenants, enforcement provisions, including the full suite of Queensland and Commonwealth environment and natural resources management legislation. With this breadth of experience, Tracey can provide pragmatic and contemporary legal advice in relation town planning, environment and local government.
Outside of work, Tracey endeavours to spend as much time as possible outdoors: among trees, on a mountain, in the water or on the beach. Tracey has almost always lived in far north Queensland and believes it is impossible to run out of inspiring places to explore here.
Tracey is currently on leave for 12 months from p&e Law as she is undertaking an assignment with Australian Youth Ambassadors for Development (AYAD) in Tonga. Tracey is working as a Climate Change Policy Officer with the Tongan Department of Environment. The assignment will concentrate on capacity building in the areas of international climate change law and policy, and stakeholder and community engagement. Tracey is looking forward to the opportunities for integrating this experience into her practice on her return to p&e Law in July 2010.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Arts / Laws – James Cook University
Admissions
- Supreme Court of Queensland
- High Court of Australia
Andrew Williams
Andrew Williams is based in p&e Law’s Maroochydore office. He joined p&e Law in 2007 following his employment as an associate to His Honour Judge Robertson, a judge with a commission in the Planning and Environment Court. He has also worked with a leading Brisbane-based practice that worked extensively for local governments throughout Queensland.
From his experience in Court, Andrew has decided to specialise in the planning and environment jurisdiction.
Andrew brings with him a critical legal mind that has benefited from exposure to leading practitioners conducting Planning and Environment Court appeals.
When not at work, Andrew likes to take advantage of the lifestyle that the Sunshine Coast offers.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Laws – Queensland University of Technology
- Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) – Queensland University of Technology
- Diploma of Business – Southbank Institute of TAFE
Admissions
- Supreme Court of Queensland
- High Court of Australia
Marlies Hobbs
Marlies Hobbs is a solicitor based in p&e Law's Cairns Office and practises in the areas of town planning, environment and local government law. Marlies commenced with p&e Law in September 2008.
Marlies obtained her Bachelor of Laws degree from James Cook University Cairns in 2006 and was admitted as a legal practitioner of the Supreme Court in February 2007. During her legal traineeship Marlies gained experience in Commercial Law, Wills and Estates and Government Law. Since her admission, Marlies has predominantly practised in Government Law – in particular local laws, delegations and appointments, including powers of entry advice and training, freedom of information/right to information, easements, covenants, road closures and openings, reconfigurations, residential and commercial conveyancing and leasing for local governments, Infrastructure Agreements, enforcement proceedings and associated advisory work as well as Planning and Environment Law.
Marlies has a particular interest in planning and environment law and her more recent focus has been conducting appeals and applications in the Planning and Environment Court.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Laws – James Cook University Cairns
Admissions
- Supreme Court of Queensland
- High Court of Australia
Clare Farley
Clare Farley commenced employment with p&e Law in February 2009 and is based in our Cairns office.
Clare became a legal practitioner in Queensland in 2006. After putting an Arts degree with an Australian Aboriginal History major to good use working in Western Australia’s Kimberley region, Clare has pursued a legal career focusing on native title law. Clare’s experience has provided an extensive grounding in the myriad of issues and challenges that can arise in this area of the law.
Clare has an excellent working knowledge of the Native Title Act 1993, the Aboriginal Land Act 1991, the Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 and the Corporations (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander) Act 2006. She enjoys working across various areas of law incidental to her practice in native title such as contract and administrative law and alternative dispute resolution.
When not at work, Clare enjoys attending Centenary Lakes Christian Church, bushwalking, swimming in the stunning rivers and lakes of the Far North and relaxing at home.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Laws - University of Technology, Sydney
- Bachelor of Arts - Macquarie University, Sydney
Admissions
- Supreme Court of Queensland
- High Court of Australia