Life at the Cairns Bar is second to none. Cairns is an envious place to practice and live. The formality of practice is softened by the vibrant tourism capital and the exquisite natural beauty of the surrounds.
MARITIME CHAMBERS
Maritime Chambers was established in 1984 by Francis Daly, Graham Houston and Matt Pope. The chambers derived its name from Maritime House on Abbott Street in which the chambers were first located. At that time the Courthouse was also in Abbott Street. Mark Glen joined the group in 1986. The chambers has relocated on a number of occasions since it’ establishment and is now housed in premises on the First Floor, corner of Hartley and Grafton Streets.
Over its 25 year history Maritime Chambers has been the professional home to a number of past and current members of the Cairns Bar for varying length of times. Douglas Turnbull, formerly of Townsville, and now still in practice from chambers in Cairns is the most recent former member.
Graham Houston and Mark Glen remain members of chambers. James Sheridan, Chris Ryall and John Harrison are the other current members of Maritime Chambers. Between them the current members of Maritime Chambers cover most areas of practice.
Former members of Maritime Chambers include the first and second District Court Judges appointed from the Cairns Bar, retired Judges Francis Daly and Peter White. Kevin Priestly the Coroner for the local region also spent some time during his practice at the private bar as a member of Maritime Chambers.
TRINITY CHAMBERS
Trinity Chambers was established in 1993 by Andrew Philp, Steven Blim and Andrew Sinclair. Andrew Philp, formerly Associate to Dunn J, Skoien DCJ, Carter DCJ and Rowe DCJ, had been a member of 10 Level Chambers during his time at the Bar in Brisbane. Steven Blim had been at the Sydney Bar. Andrew Sinclair had been a Crown Prosecutor with the Brisbane office of the Director of Public Prosecutions.
Trinity Chambers derived its name from the coincidence of the number of its founding members (without religious overtones) and the name of the bay off Cairns of which Captain Cook wrote in his journal:
“The shore between Cape Grafton and the above northern point forms a large but not very deep Bay, which I named Trinity Bay, after the day on which it was discover’d; the north point Cape Tribulation, because here began all our Troubles.”
The troubles heralded by Cook occurred the day following Trinity Sunday when H. M. Bark “Endeavour” struck Endeavour Reef, north east of Cape Tribulation.
Paul Favell, a Cairns-bred and Brisbane-based Chamber colleague of Andrew Philp, commenced a presence as a de facto member of Trinity Chambers early in its history, a connection which continues to the present.
Steven Blim moved from Trinity Chambers in the mid-nineties to pursue a career at the Sydney Bar. A few years later Andrew Sinclair, who founded a successful internet business while practising in Cairns, departed Trinity Chambers to pursue his computing interests. He has since returned to the law and is now at the Sunshine Coast Bar.
Dean Morzone, formerly Associate to Williams J and a solicitor with Nicol Robinson & Kidd in Brisbane, joined Trinity Chambers in 1994. He was followed in 1995 by Josephine Willis, whose background before legal studies was in the insurance industry, and Meg O’Neill, formerly Associate to O’Brien DCJ, in 1998. Jim Henry, formerly Consultant Crown Prosecutor for the Northern Region of the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, joined Chambers in 2000. In 2001 Meg O’Neill moved to Brisbane to pursue her legal career.
Trinity Chambers previously occupied a number of premises in Lake Street followed by rooms in Shields Street, conveniently located above a TAB, next to a hotel and across the street from the Family Court.
In 2003 the members of Trinity Chambers purchased its present site, a building with a past as a fish & chip shop, a vehicle workshop and offices of the Tharpuntoo Legal Service. It is located next door to the Cairns Police Station and in turn the Cairns Courthouse. The new venue was officially opened by the Honourable Justice Jones on 11 December 2003. Its renovated rooms included much needed mediation facilities.
Dr Helen Sungaila, formerly an academic and Associate to Jones J, joined Chambers in 2003 and returned to academia in 2005. Michael Jonsson, formerly a Partner with MacDonnells Solicitors in Cairns, joined Trinity Chambers when he came to the Bar in 2004 and Joshua Trevino, formerly Associate to Jerrard JA and Mullins J, joined in 2005.
Josephine Willis, who enjoyed particular success in the Family Law jurisdiction, left Chambers at the outset of this year on her appointment as the Federal Magistrate in Cairns.
The current members of Trinity Chambers, who between them cover all fields of practice, are Andrew Philp SC, Jim Henry SC, Dean Morzone, Michael Jonsson and Joshua Trevino.
EQUITY CHAMBERS
Equity Chambers formed in 2007 after refurbishment of the former Barrister’s Chambers at the Equity Central Building, in the heart of Cairns.
The current members of the group are Kevin McCreanor, Joseph Jacobs, Tracy Fantin and Derek Kordick.
Kevin McCreanor is the leader of the Chambers and an original member of the group, admitted to the Bar in 1972. Originally from Brisbane, Kevin practised there for six years before moving to Cairns in 1979. He has also practised in Papua New Guinea and has experience dealing with cultural issues of significance. Kevin’s early practice was predominantly in the civil area, later focusing on criminal law, where he now appears in major and complex, criminal trials. He has a passion for red wine, French cuisine and painting.
Joseph Jacobs is an original member of the group and was admitted to the Queensland Bar in 2002. Before that, however, he enjoyed a busy practice at the NSW Bar, from 1981 as well as working as a solicitor in NSW, South Australia and Queensland. He has lectured at the University of Adelaide (Intellectual Property) and the National University of Malaysia (Evidence, International and International Trade Law). Joseph holds a Master of Laws (NSW) and now practises in all jurisdictions in contract, commercial, corporations, equity, family, property, tort and trade practices law. Joseph is a member of the Queensland Pubic Interest Clearing House, performing pro bono work for people in need. Joseph is a connoisseur of modernist design, and a keen photographer.
Tracy Fantin practises in planning & environment, employment, coronial inquests, family provision and commercial matters. She often works with indigenous organisations. Tracy is a mediator and has a BA LLB (Hons) from ANU. She was admitted to practice as a solicitor in NSW in 1988, and practised in Sydney and London before returning to Cairns in 1994 where she became a partner and then consultant with a local firm. In 2005, she joined the Bar. Tracy has been a sessional member of the Queensland Anti-Discrimination Tribunal since 2003. She has served as a board member of Australian Women Lawyers, Women Lawyers Association of Qld, Arts Law Centre of Qld, Cairns Community Legal Centre and local arts organisations, and is a member of Queensland Environmental Law Association and the Environmental Defender’s Office of North Queensland. She recently appeared as counsel for the families of the deceased in the Malu Sara inquest, which featured on the ABC’s 4-Corners program in July.
Derek Kordick joined the group in 2008, after 17-years public service with the Queensland Police Service, as a detective and prosecutor, and as a Legal Officer with the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions, in Brisbane and regional cities. Originally from Brisbane, Derek moved to North Queensland in 2004. Admitted to the Queensland Bar in 2007, Derek has also qualified as a solicitor. Derek now practises predominantly in criminal law and has interests in workers’ rights, administrative and discrimination law, as well as cyber law and the continuing detention and release of dangerous prisoners. Derek is a member of the Queensland Pubic Interest Clearing House, performing pro bono work for people in need.
CORAL COAST CHAMBERS
The forebear of Coral Coast Chambers commenced in 1996 when Barry Murray joined Kevin Priestly (now Magistrate Priestly) in chambers (at the now Corporate Tower) in Lake Street. Jeremy Darvall joined them soon after and the three stayed in that location until 1998 when they re-located to 21 Lake Street. At about that time Kevin Priestly left the bar to embark on a career with a solicitor’s firm on the Sunshine Coast. Sandra Pearson (now Magistrate Pearson) joined in March 2001 after resigning from her position as Senior Crown Prosecutor for the DPP, Cairns.
In 2003 Jeremy Darvall retired after 40 years at the Bar. Kevin Priestly returned to Cairns and to chambers. It was then that Sandra Pearson decided that the chambers required a name and Coral Coast Chambers was conceived. The chambers moved to its current location at 35 Grafton Street in February 2008 and was declared officially open by His Honour Justice Jones.
In 2005 Neill MacPherson joined Coral Coast Chambers. Although based in Sydney, Neill has kept a room in chambers for those times he works in Cairns. Tracy Fantin, now of Equity Chambers, also joined the chambers briefly in 2005. Nerida Wilson joined chambers in early 2008. In April 2008 Kevin Priestly was appointed Northern Coroner.
In July 2009 the chambers had reason to celebrate — Sandra Pearson was appointed a Magistrate and Barry Murray celebrated 20 years at the Bar. In August 2009 Jane Bentley joined chambers after resigning from her position as the officer-in-charge of the Cairns office of the Commonwealth DPP, resulting in the current membership of Barry Murray, Nerida Wilson and Jane Bentley.
Coral Coast Chambes is the only chambers in North Queensland (and maybe Queensland) that can count a guide dog as one of its valued members — Ike — a yellow Labrador and faithful friend of all in chambers but especially Barry Murray. Ike replaced Norton who was well known and well loved by everyone in the Cairns legal fraternity.
The present members of Coral Coast Chambers practice predominantly in criminal and family law and, between them, have over 50 years experience in the law.
Barry Murray is a Cairns boy — he grew up here and attended Trinity Bay State High School. He left Cairns for a short period to attend the University of Queensland, completing his law degree with First Class Honours in 1988. Barry was admitted in 1989 and was, for 6 months, associate to His Honour Justice Carter. Barry commenced at the Brisbane office of the DPP in 1990 and was a Crown Prosecutor at that office from 1992 to 1993 and then in the Cairns office from 1994 to 1996. Barry tutored at UQ from 1986 to 1989 and has also tutored at JCU since 2002. Barry has been at the private bar from 1996. Barry has appeared in criminal matters in all courts in Queensland, including the Court of Appeal, both as a prosecutor and as defence counsel.
Nerida Wilson was born, raised and educated in Cairns. She obtained her law degree at QUT in Brisbane after being stationed in Melbourne between 1987 and 1995 with the Australian Federal Police. Nerida was, prior to joining chambers, a solicitor practicing predominantly in family law and has become the family law “expert” of Coral Coast Chambers. Nerida has also, since joining the bar, appeared in numerous criminal matters. Nerida currently lectures and tutors family law at JCU Cairns Campus. Nerida is actively involved in her local community. She is the immediate past president of the Far North Qld Law Assn, a position she held for 3 years. Nerida developed and obtained sponsorship for an annual moot competition between the Cairns and Townsville Campus of JCU, adjudicated by local judicial officers. She is currently participating in the Qld Women Lawyers ‘Ladder Program’ as a mentor for young women lawyers. Nerida is also a keen golfer.
Jane Bentley came from Brisbane to Cairns for two years in January 2008, to run the Cairns office of the Commonwealth DPP. However, the lure of the far north proved to be impossible to resist and Jane and her family have now taken up permanent residence in Cairns and she joined Coral Coast Chambers in August 2009. Jane graduated from QUT with Honours in 1994 and was admitted the same year. She has worked at the Public Defendant’s Office, Legal Aid Qld, Qld Police Service, National Crime Authority and CDPP.
INDIVIDUAL CHAMBERS
The Cairns Bar also have individual practices in all areas.
Michael Sumner-Potts (formerly associate to Mr Justice R J A Franki now of Federal Court of Australia) began practising law in New South Wales. Achieved local legendary status after his rendition of Louis Armstrong – As Time Goes By (A kiss is just a kiss) to a Cairns jury.
Rod Curtin was admitted to the Bar in 1987 and specializes in criminal and family law.
Frank Lanza continues his practice as a barrister and mediator. He is also the Honorary Italian Vice Consulate, and a migration agent.
Doug Turnbull began his legal career as a Solicitor with a large Melbourne law firm in 1973. In 1974 he came to North Queensland to see the world, and then settled in Townsville, where he worked as a Solicitor with Connolly Suthers for one year. He then founded Lee, Turnbull & Co, Solicitors, Townsville in 1976 with his old University mate Tony Lee. He had a very wide practice as a Solicitor until 1987, when he was admitted to the Queensland Bar. He practised in all jurisdictions in Townsville being a founding member of R. J. Douglas Chambers. He moved to Cairns in 2003. He was a member of Maritime Chambers in Cairns until this year, when he moved to his own Chambers at The Boland Centre in Cairns. He practices predominantly in personal injuries, but still does some work in estates and general commercial law. He also acts as a Mediator.
Catherine Benson was called to the Bar in July 2003. She was born in Papua New Guinea and completed her schooling there, attending Macquarie University in Sydney in 1983. She first practiced as a solicitor in Coffs Harbour and Cairns in the area of criminal law and family law. She was admitted as an Accredited Family Law specialist in 1995.
Lyndon Brandt served with the Queensland Police Service for 21 years, was then a builder for a further 12 years, before studying for the Bar while working with Queensland Community Corrections. He was admitted to the Bar in 2005 and specializes in criminal matters.
Andrew Wrenn established Johnston River Chambers and boasts his own website.
