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Paula Christiansen

Senior Paralegal

Paula Christiansen

Senior Paralegal

Paula is an experienced and motivated paralegal working in the specialised field of Planning and Environment law

Paula:

  • has over 10 years of experience in conveyancing in New South Wales;
  • has 10 years’ experience as a property manager including appearances before QCAT and addressing mediations in relation to tenancy disputes;
  • has 14 years’ experience in the area of Planning and Environment Law;
  • has a thorough understanding of legal terminology and the requirements of diverse areas of law;
  • is a responsive communicator with excellent people and relationship building skills, successfully proven with internal and external stakeholders and complemented by the ability to relate and negotiate at all levels and with individuals from divergent backgrounds and circumstances;
  • has instructed Counsel, compiled briefs, gathered evidence, provided briefing notes to lawyers in relation to actions in the Planning & Environment Court, Queensland Civil and Administrative Appeals Tribunal;
  • has capacity to complete all operational documentation with accuracy and due diligence to maintain compliance within a highly regulated industry.

Out of the office, Paula is passionate about all aspects of surf lifesaving from patrolling to being a training officer.  Paula loves running very long distances and competes in ultra-marathon trail running which can be more than 50km.

When Paula is not working, running or saving lives at the beach she enjoys good ice cream, coffee and lazing around in the sun.


Major Projects

Paula works in conjunction with Lestar Manning in drafting, presenting and training for the full suite of Local Laws for Cairns Regional Council, Tablelands Regional Council and Cassowary Coast Regional Council.

These major, long-term projects have involved high level meetings with the Mayors, Councillors and Council officers to consider Council policies and the different needs of each community.  They included conducting research and considering case law and the application of case law within the legislation. The drafting and redrafting of local laws after consultation with the public and state departments. The drafting of Council resolutions which repeal current local laws and then adopt new ones. Assisting with drafting of Council forms so they are interactive and referenced within local laws.  To round up the project, Paula assisted and participated in the delivery of training sessions with Councillors and Council officers, so they were conversant with the new local laws which had been adopted.

Community Participation

Active member 15 years – Surf Life Saving Queensland, Metropolitan Caloundra Surf Club, Kings Beach

  •  Patrolling member – Lifesaving
  •  Bronze Medallion Trainer
  •  Age Manager for Nippers
  •  Carnival Official for surf sports
  •  RB Crewpersons Awards
  •  First Aid