The journey into law…
Andrew began his legal career as an articled clerk with a national law firm, before he was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in March 1998. Since that time, he has practised for well over 20 years as a lawyer in various roles, including as a Partner, Principal Lawyer, and Head of Legal Services.
As a young lawyer, Andrew worked in a rural practice and also in a large suburban firm in Brisbane, gaining valuable experience in dealing with clients from different backgrounds and with varying life experiences.
For over the last 20 years, Andrew has practised extensively in the area of Family Law. He has considerable experience with complex parenting matters, and property settlement matters involving businesses, companies, family trusts, and Self-Managed Super Funds.
Andrew previously lectured in Family Law to post-graduate students of the College of Law, and for several years presented Family Law information sessions for the Refugee and Immigration Legal Service.
With a strong commitment to assisting the community, Andrew has volunteered with a local community legal service for over 20 years, and in 2015 he was presented with a Commonwealth Government Volunteer Award.
In 2022, Andrew was also a finalist in the Queensland Law Society’s Excellence in Law Awards, in the “Access to Justice” category.
Experience in family law
Andrew has extensive experience in the area of Family Law, including:
Divorces Parenting matters Relocation and recovery of children Property Settlements for de facto relationships and marriages Spousal maintenance Binding Financial Agreements Child Support Domestic Violence Mediation, conciliation, and arbitration Court Applications in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Andrew’s Landmark Cases
Property settlement matter in which three Costs Orders were obtained for the client in connection with the matter (including an Indemnity Costs Order following the Trial), resulting in the client receiving the vast majority of the parties’ assets, as the Husband was required to pay his Costs Orders from his share of the assets.
Complex parenting matter where the client was accused of serious abuse allegations at the commencement of the matter, which was ultimately resolved by negotiation during the Court proceedings without the need for a Trial, on the basis that the children were placed in the client’s care.
Complex property settlement matter involving a group of companies with over 30 different inter-connected entities, comprising various companies, trusts and a Self-Managed Super Fund.
Several “Hague Convention” matters in which clients were successfully assisted in arranging for their abducted children to be returned to Australia from countries including U.K., Norway and New Zealand.
Other areas of expertise
Andrew has previous experience in the areas of general litigation, conveyancing, and wills and estates, but he has practised substantially in Family Law for over 20 years.
Andrew is also a Nationally Accredited Mediator by AMDRAS.
The passion for family law
Having always had a strong commitment to helping others, Andrew is passionate about trying to make a difference in the lives of his clients.
Practising in Family Law allows scope to support clients in a genuine way, at a particularly vulnerable time of their lives.
He enjoys advocating for his clients to assist them to achieve a fair and decent outcome.
In addition to being a fantastic family lawyer, Andrew has also previously lectured in Family Law to students of the College of Law’s Post-Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice during 2009 – 2010.
In 2023, Andrew presented for the Family Law “Pathways Through the System” Podcast series, a collaboration involving Relationships Australia and the Greater Brisbane Family Law Pathways Network.
He also presents professional development sessions to the Gold Coast Family Law Pathways Network and Family Relationship Centres, and delivers Family Law information sessions for the Refugee and Immigration Legal Service (RAILS).
Our care for clients
Andrew has always had a strong interest in helping clients through the difficulties of a relationship breakdown in a compassionate manner.
Described as patient and calm, Andrew endeavours to give practical and common-sense advice to his clients, and he is committed to providing clients with a professional service.
Andrew is aware of the stress and anxiety which results from a relationship breakdown, and recognises the importance of showing empathy towards his clients.
Why Unified?
Andrew was drawn to the Unified Family because of the firm’s values of honesty, empathy, integrity, and respect, as well as the firm’s reputation for providing excellent legal services. Andrew’s academic and practical expertise ensures that Unified Lawyers stands out among best family lawyers in Brisbane for delivering exceptional client outcomes.
Passion outside of the law
Away from the law Andrew enjoys bushwalking/hiking, detective shows, music, reading, and trying to keep up with his children’s various extra-curricular activities.
Other languages
As a child growing up in Papua New Guinea, Andrew was fluent in Pidgin English for several years, but these days that is sadly just a distant memory.