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ROBERT BALANDA LLB. Partner Rob was admitted as a solicitor in 1979 in Queensland and prior to that in N.S.W. He practices in the areas of management rights, body corporate law, property investment strategies, business law and commercial conveyancing.He has been a part-time lecturer at the Gold Coast Institute of TAFE, Bond University and the R.E.I.Q. Rob is a past President of the Gold Coast Toastmasters Club, past Chairman of the Gold Coast TAFE Association and former Vice-President of the Citizens Advice Bureau. He is also an accredited body corporate law specialist. Rob is the author of Clauses Made Simple a legal precedent book of Clauses which is designed to assist people who prepare Real Estate and Business Contracts on a daily basis. His book has now become an industry standard. Rob is also the author of the ìMade Simpleî Series of Audio CDís, a regular columnist with the Australian Property Investor Magazine and a frequent presenter at conferences and seminars around the country. www.clausesmadesimple.com |
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MITCHELL CLARK LLB. Partner Mitchell has a wide range of legal experience and interests, predominantly in litigation, risk management and dispute resolution. His primary role within the firm is to provide service in the field of personal injuries law which he does with a strong attitude of caring for people balanced with sound organisational efficiency.Mitchell completed his Law degree at Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in 1988 and was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1991 (as well as being admitted to the High Court of Australia and the Supreme Court of New South Wales). Mitchell was one of the first solicitors in Queensland to be awarded Specialist Accreditation in the field of Personal Injuries law, from the Queensland Law Society. He also completed the Society’s Practice Management course in 1997. He is the current President of the Management Committee of the Gold Coast Centre Against Sexual Violence Inc (an organisation that has been supported by MBA Lawyers since its inception over 20 years ago). He is a member of various other organisations, including Secretary of PeaceWise (national Christian conciliation company) and Past President of the Rotary Club of Broadwater, Southport. |
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JONATHAN FLANNERY BSc. LLB. Senior Consultant Jonathan was admitted as a Solicitor in 1983 and has practised extensively in both Queensland and New South Wales. He is a qualified mediator.He has a strong practice in migration law and heads our migration division, Migration Lawyers Australia. He has completed studies in immigration law with distinction and is a registered migration agent. He also has extensive general litigation experience, in migration appeals, personal injury work, workplace relations and industrial law, criminal law, debt collection and commercial litigation. Jonathan also holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (Biochemistry major) and has a special interest in forensic medicine. He holds the honorary role as solicitor to the Gold Coast Welfare Inter-agency, the Citizens Advice Bureau Gold Coast Inc. and the Highway Legal Service. He is Vice-President of the latter two organisations. He periodically gives lectures and talks to various agency groups. He is MBA’s information technology partner. His sporting interests include track and field, triathlon, rugby union and cricket. He is a qualified pilot. Jonathan is married with four children. |
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ANTONY KNOX LLB. Partner Antony was admitted as a Solicitor in 1990 having completed his Bachelor of Laws degree at Queensland University of Technology in 1988. He practised in Brisbane and overseas prior to relocating to the Gold Coast in March 1993. Antony’s experience is primarily in litigation with extensive involvement in the former Local Government Court (now Planning and Environment Court) on behalf of both developers and local authorities. His current practice focuses on Planning & Environment Law, commercial litigation and Body Corporate disputes. His recent Court case was successfully representing the Gold Coast City Council in a major shopping centre dispute involving several millions of dollars. Antony has lectured in Real Estate Law at the Gold Coast Institute of Technology. Antony has been involved in rugby union for more than twelve years (representing Queensland in 1987, 1988 and 1989) and local Surf Life Saving. He is married with two children. |
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CLAYTON GLENISTER B.A. LLB. Partner Clayton completed his Bachelor at Law Degree and was admitted as a Solicitor in New South Wales and Queensland in February 2002.In November 2002 Clayton joined the team at MBA Lawyers and was made a partner of the law firm in June 2007. Clayton practices solely as a Commercial Lawyer, having extensive experience in property developments, property syndications, as well as Body Corporate and Management Rights. Clayton also practices in the areas of Conveyancing, business sales and purchases, Leasing and Commercial Agreements. Clayton is also an Estate Planning Practitioner, being a member of Society of Trust and Estate Practitioners (STEP) and specialises in Estate Planning, Asset Protection and Wealth Planning. Clayton is also a Fellow of the Australian College of Community Association Lawyers Incorporated and practices extensively in Body Corporate Law and Management Rights. Clayton is recognised as being an industry specialist and leader for Body Corporate Law and Management Rights in Queensland and New South Wales and has published a number of articles and papers in relation to this area of the law as well as being called upon by the Queensland Government for input into legislative changes for the Body Corporate and Community Management Act. As the founding solicitor for the Queensland Association of Body Corporates as well as being a lecturer at the Real Estate Institute of Queensland, teaching to students in the Restricted Letting Agents Licence (Management Rights) Course which places Clayton at the forefront of the industry. Clayton continues to be a leading industry figure in the Body Corporate and Management Rights arena and considers his strength to be his good working relationship that he has with his clients, as well as high level of service and specialised advice that is both commercial and practical. |
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IAN BISSON LLB. Special Counsel Ian Bisson was admitted as a solicitor in 1996 and has practiced exclusively in commercial litigation, debt recovery, insolvency and dispute resolution for more than 10 years. Formerly a partner in charge of the litigation team at another firm† based on the Gold Coast, Ian joined MBA Lawyers in March, 2009.Ian specialises in the area of resolving business disputes and has consulted in relation to various business matters and has appeared in large, complex Court matters including contractual and property disputes, insolvency matters and winding up proceedings, intellectual property litigation, securities enforcement as well as having a special interest in body corporate and management rights disputes. Ian believes that it is important to recognise the high level of service clients require and he prides himself in being available to service clients’ needs whenever they are required. |
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WARWICK CHESTERS LLB. LLM Senior Consultant Warwick was admitted as a solicitor in 1983. He is a previous partner of the firm and has extensive experience in litigation work. Main areas of practice include professional negligence, commercial disputes, compensation claims and deceased estate disputes.Warwick also has a particular interest in environmental law and has completed his Master of Laws in this field through the Queensland University of Technology. Warwick has previously worked in England for a period doing insurer defence work for Lloyds of London syndicates and other insurers. Also he has acted for local insurers such as Suncorp Insurance and AAMI. Warwick has also acted for local authorities in environmental issues and has undertaken prosecutions for them. Warwick has previously been a part time lecturer at TAFE in commercial law, a tutor for Queensland University of Technology and has been a guest lecturer at Griffith University Warwick is a keen fisherman and an 11 handicap golfer. |
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JAMES NICKLESS Solicitor James deals in all aspects of dispute resolution including negotiation, mediation, arbitration and litigation. James has experience in various types of disputes in areas such as construction, body corporate, defamation, trade practices, international commercial disputes and general commercial litigation.James specialises in insolvency litigation and has acted for creditors, including Australia’s leading banks, in complex matters of corporate insolvency and individual bankruptcy. James has also advised receivers and liquidators in relation to their duties and has conducted litigation on behalf of receivers and liquidators. James takes a proactive approach to dispute resolution and firmly believes in identifying case merits and client objectives as early as possible in order to best achieve efficient and effective outcomes for his clients. |
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DANIELLE WATT LLB. Solicitor Danielle completed her law degree at Bond University and was admitted as a solicitor in 1997. Since that time, she has practised in Brisbane and on the Gold Coast, primarily in personal injuries law, having successfully represented many hundreds of injured clients in Queensland, New South Wales and Commonwealth jurisdictions. She prides herself on providing accurate advice in a timely manner, with a caring attitude .Danielle also has general litigation experience in statutory workerís compensation appeals, Comcare appeals, professional negligence actions, defendant insurance litigation, industrial law and debt recovery. |
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JESSICA CANNON Graduate Solicitor Jessica completed her Bachelor of Law degree and Bachelor of International Relations degree (majoring in International Governance and Diplomacy) in early 2011.She joined MBA Lawyers in April 2011 as a graduate solicitor, whilst undertaking her Practical Legal Training through Bond University. Upon completion, Jessica will be seeking admission in New South Wales and Queensland as a solicitor. Jessicaís interests lie in international law, commercial litigation and dispute resolution. |
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TONY LENAN LLB. Senior ConsultantTony has resided on the Gold Coast all his life and obtained his Bachelor of Laws Degree from the Queensland University of Technology in 1986, and was admitted as a |
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NIKKI FARAGO Practice Manager |
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SHARON SHERLOCK Conveyancing Manager Sharon is experienced in all areas of Conveyancing in acting for both Sellers and Buyers. Sharon has over 21 years experience in Conveyancing and is confident in both Queensland and New South Wales cottage and development Conveyancing. |
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ALISON BRAND (NEE LE QUESNE) Solicitor Alison was called to the Bar of England and Wales in 2003 and is a non-practising barrister.She previously worked for an offshore niche litigation firm in Jersey, Channel Islands, specialising in complex commercial and trust litigation prior to her move to Australia. Alison worked previously at another Gold Coast law firm specialising in commercial litigation and body corporate law. Alison is a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and a Solicitor of the High Court of Australia. Alisonís areas of practise are corporate and commercial litigation, body corporate law and wills and estates disputes. Alison is a member of the Women Lawyers Association of Queensland and speaks French. |
