As the year draws to a close, it’s time to pause, reflect and celebrate the milestones we’ve achieved together. We wish you a joyous and Merry Christmas and thank you for your continued support throughout 2024. Below, our Partners and Practice Manager share their insights, recounting 2024 and offering a glimpse into what lies ahead.
Jeff Garrett – Legal Practice Director
As I conclude my 43rd year with the firm and we hurtle into 2025, 2024 seems a bit of a blur, but as usual, it was another busy year for the firm with a significant increase in new lawyers and support staff to service our growing client base. We opened our new Southport office in the Excalibur Building at 52 Davenport Street opposite the courts which provides a great option for our Northern Gold Coast clients and is ideal for our litigation, criminal, and family lawyers.
We also saw growth in our Brisbane, Sydney, and Melbourne offices, with strong interest in our estate litigation, commercial litigation, compensation law, family law, estate planning, and estate administration for the capital cities. Locally, on the Gold Coast and Northern NSW, our property and commercial team were kept very busy this year with a strong property market and many development projects completing.
Our estate planning lawyers were extremely busy with a record number of Wills and Enduring Powers of Attorney signed up in 2024. On a sadder note, the estate administration lawyers were also flat out dealing with a record number of deceased estates and probate matters. The compensation law and family law teams resolved a raft of cases this year and it was also a big year for our aged care team.
We act for clients in the most stressful times of their lives, and it is very pleasing to be able to help so many people and genuinely change their lives for the better. We are also passionate about social justice issues and doing our best to educate the community about their legal rights, as well as participating in community assistance programs for charities, sponsoring local sporting clubs, and getting involved in aged care.
I’m very proud of the achievements of our firm and our dedicated staff for 2024, but all of that pails into insignificance when compared to the most important event of 2024: the birth of my third grandchild: Hazel Belle.
Angela Harry – Wills & Estates
It’s inspiring to reflect on the incredible progress and meaningful contributions of the Wills and Estates department as we close another year. This has been a year of growth, achievement, and profound impact on our community.
Our department has grown significantly, with a team now 19 strong, all dedicated to delivering excellence in estate planning and administration. Together, we’ve made a tangible difference by preparing 426 free Wills, directly supporting charities, first responders, healthcare workers, and aged care staff. Each Will represents more than a legal document; it’s a safeguard for families and a legacy for those who give so much to our community.
Equally impactful has been our continued focus on public education. Whether it be presenting at legal seminars through QLD Step and Television Education Network or engaging talks with groups like the Probus Club, Palliative Care Group, Gold Coast City Library, and the Seniors Round Table, we’ve helped demystify estate planning and empower people to make informed decisions about their futures. These conversations are at the heart of what we do—ensuring knowledge and access are not barriers to security and peace of mind.
As we look back on this year, we’re deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished. The trust placed in us by our clients and the community is both humbling and motivating. Every achievement, from supporting the vulnerable to navigating complex legal matters, represents our dedication to making a positive difference.
Looking ahead, we are excited to build on this momentum. Our commitment to excellence, innovation, and community engagement remains stronger than ever, and we are ready to embrace the opportunities the new year will bring.
Here’s to another year of meaningful impact and continued success.
Lucy McPherson – Estate Litigation
In closing out 2024, we take pride in reflecting on an outstanding year for the estate litigation team at Attwood Marshall Lawyers. Our continued growth, and individual and collective achievements, have strengthened our reputation as leaders in complex estate litigation.
This year, we were thrilled to welcome Sienna Marshall to our team as a paralegal. Sienna has quickly become an essential part of our group, providing support to our litigation lawyers and contributing to our success. We also celebrated the promotion of April Kennedy to Special Counsel, a recognition of her exceptional legal expertise and leadership.
Our commitment to professional growth and thought leadership has been evident. Senior Associate Marty Mallon commenced a Masters in Taxation Law, demonstrating his dedication to honing technical skills to better serve our clients. Marty also had the honour of being published in Lawyers Weekly with his heartfelt article, “This Pride, with the help of my firm, I am no longer hiding,” which explored Pride Month, government progress, and the ongoing need for equality for the LGBTQIA+ community.
Additionally, I was given the opportunity to showcase my expertise in cross-border estates at the NSW Law Society Specialist Accreditation Conference 2024. My presentation on multijurisdictional challenges highlighted our capability in handling complex estate matters and reinforced our reputation among peers.
This year also saw growth in guardianship and administration matters, Public Trustee disputes, and contentious estate cases. The referrals we continue to receive from barristers, solicitors, and other professionals reflect the trust placed in our team to handle the most challenging cases.
We are immensely proud of what we have achieved together in 2024 and grateful for the ongoing support of our clients and professional partners. We look forward to continuing to assist with complex legal needs in 2025 and beyond.
Charles Lethbridge – Commercial Litigation
As we prepare for the new year to roll in, it is fitting to reflect on the resilience, adaptability and diligence that has underpinned our Commercial Litigation team’s success this year.
The year began with devastating storms that left many in our community grappling with property damage and significant challenges. In the aftermath, our team experienced a surge in enquiries from those seeking advice and assistance during a difficult time.
It was inspiring to witness the way our team rose to meet this demand, providing support and guidance to clients navigating complex disputes with their banks and insurance companies.
Throughout 2024, we continued to build on our reputation for innovation, strategic thinking, and collaboration. The shifting litigation landscape – with an increasing emphasis on alternative dispute resolution – has only amplified the importance of our role. More than ever, dispute resolution lawyers are instrumental in easing the burden on courts and finding timely, practical solutions for clients.
Our team’s success this year is a testament to our ability to stay ahead of these changes. By identifying key issues, crafting tailored strategies, and leveraging our expertise in commercial disputes, we have streamlined our processes and delivered consistently outstanding results for our clients. This includes several significant victories at mediation, trial, and appeal hearings.
We are proud of the results we have achieved and the trust and confidence our clients have placed in us during their most challenging times.
This year, we were proud to add three skilled professionals to our team, further strengthening our capacity to meet the growing demand in this dynamic area of law. We welcomed Lawyer James Griffin, Senior Paralegal Jannette Reeve, and Paralegal Sienna Marshall.
The department is eager to recharge over the holiday period and step into 2025 with renewed energy, ready to continue living our intent to help people and change their lives for the better.
Wishing everyone a safe and happy Christmas.
Debbie Sage – Aged Care
December provides a wonderful opportunity to reflect on a year filled with achievements and progress. One of the most significant milestones has been our entire team completing their accreditation as Accredited Aged Care Professionals. This accomplishment highlights our dedication to delivering the highest quality advice and services for those navigating the complexities of aged care.
A notable highlight this year was enlisting Bindy Marshall, an Accredited Aged Care Specialist, to join our team. Bindy’s extensive expertise and passion for supporting older Australians have brought tremendous value to our department. Her dedication to ensuring that our clients receive the best advice during life’s transitions reinforces our commitment to excellence in the aged care sector.
Throughout the year, our team has been actively working within the community, collaborating with like-minded professionals, and providing valuable education sessions to various community groups. Looking ahead, we’re excited to reengage with the Gold Coast City Council to offer educational programs at libraries across the region, providing knowledge and insights on wills, estates, and aged care.
These initiatives aim to make vital information more accessible and empower our community with the knowledge they need.
Advocacy has remained at the forefront of our mission in 2024. I have continued discussions with state members of parliament to advance the goal of specifically criminalising elder abuse and abuse against vulnerable persons. This initiative reflects our commitment to protecting the most vulnerable members of our society through practical, clear, and effective legislation. Alongside this, we have continued to call for reviews of retirement village exit fees and other critical issues that impact older Australians.
As we look toward 2025, we are optimistic and energised for the opportunities ahead.
Holly Gilholme – Practice Manager
We are pleased to share that our business has experienced healthy growth in 2024, with 22 new staff members joining our team. This expansion is a testament to our continued commitment to excellence, and I want to take a moment to acknowledge the dedication of our new and existing staff who make this success possible.
In line with our growth, we have rolled out customised training plans designed to enhance our team members’ careers. These plans are tailored to meet individual development goals, ensuring that each staff member is equipped with the skills and knowledge necessary to thrive in their roles. We believe in investing in our people, and this initiative further strengthens our focus on professional and personal growth.
We were also excited to announce the opening of our new Southport office, strategically located in the heart of the Gold Coast. This new location will serve as a hub for our lawyers and paralegals dedicated to assisting the northern communities and businesses. With this expansion, we can provide even more tailored support to the growing needs of this vibrant region.
As we look to the future, we are excited about the opportunities 2025 holds. We are proud to announce that we will work closely with local schools to offer a work experience program, providing students with valuable exposure to the legal profession. Additionally, we are launching a graduate program to nurture the next generation of legal professionals, empowering young talent to build their careers with us.
This year, I had the privilege of attending the inaugural Australian Legal Practice Management (ALPMA) Summit in Brisbane, where I gained valuable insights into the latest trends and challenges in the legal industry. The summit provided a platform to strengthen our commitment to innovation and excellence further.
As we continue to grow and evolve, we remain dedicated to fostering a culture of learning and development, ensuring that our staff and clients benefit from our shared success.
