The 2014 listing of leading Queensland Family barristers details Senior and Junior Counsel practising within the area of family and matrimonial law in the Queensland legal market who have been identified for their expertise and abilities in the area. It is compiled on the back of feedback from solicitors practising within these areas.
Tom Kirk QC remains Queensland standout family law silk with Dr Jacoba Brasch equally as favoured amongst Junior Counsel.
Kirk QC was noted as “the busiest man in town but he’s still always prepared”. “I reckon he’s in the top two he’s one of the top two silks in the country” noted one solicitor and many commented that the only problem with Kirk was that everyone wants to use him. Behind Kirk sat Tim North SC who shares his time between Brisbane and Melbourne and was viewed as being “very polished” and the “hard nosed” Catherine Carew.
Amongst the state’s Junior Counsel Jacoba Brasch was comfortably the preferred choice of the state’s solicitors. Brasch was “outstanding”, “has great attention to detail” and “always hits the mark”.
The experienced Tedd Jordan continues to be is “the best around of children’s matters” and “great value for money” while Syd Williams “strength is that he brings an understanding of other areas and financials to the table”. The “enigmatic” James Linklater-Steele was “wonderful if you’re trying to cross-examine a recalcitrant husband” and “underrated”
Peter Hackett is an “aggressive advocate who is very effective when you set him boundaries” and Guy Burridge is “sharp on procedure and property matters” while Michael Drysdale as “practical” and “commercial”.
Gary Fleetwood “understands the psychology of the court”, Neil McGregor “incredibly hardworking and hides his light under a bushell” and there are high expectations for Sarah Minnery who only recently joined the bar.
Queens Counsel
Market Leader
Tom Kirk QC – Level 14 Quay Central
Preeminent
Catherine Carew QC – IOCC Chambers
Tim North SC – 18 Inns Chambers
Leading
Graeme Page QC – Quay 11 Chambers
Recommended
Kathryn McMillan QC – Quay 11 Chambers
Junior Counsel
Market Leader
Jacoba Brasch – 18 Inns Chambers
Preeminent
Tedd Jordan – Level 14 Inns of Court
Sydney Williams – Level 9 Inns of Court
Leading
Peter Hackett – Level 10 Inns of Court
James Linklater-Steele – 19 Inns Chambers
Recommended
Michael Alexander – Callisto Chambers
Guy Burridge – IOCC Chambers
Cameron Dick – Atkin Chambers
Michael Drysdale – Level 15 Inns of Court
Gary Fleetwood – Level 27 West Chambers
Richard Galloway – Fullagar Chambers
Murray Green – Level 14 239 George St
Robert Hamwood – IOCC Chambers
Ann-Maree McDiarmid – IOCC Chambers
Neil McGregor – Level 22 69 Ann St
Mark Sayers – Level 11 Quay Central
Pricing
Typically stronger QC’s charge between $5,000 to $7,000 with most expecting these pricing levels to increase in the next 12-24 months. The shortage of quality local silks specialising in family law has seen the state’s solicitors required to utilise the services of more typically expensive QC’s from Sydney and this has led to a price increase generally.
Quality Junior Counsel typically can be retained for between $3,000 to $4,500 per day.