GRANT & SIMPSON - Key Persons
Allan commenced his Articles of Clerkship in 1980, completed his Bachelor of Laws Degree (QUT) and was admitted as a Lawyer in August 1986 and undertakes continuing legal education and professional development. Allan completed his Articles with Grant & Simpson and became a Partner of the firm on the 1st July 1989 and is a fourth-generation member of the Grant family to practice as a Solicitor. Allan was then appointed a Notary Public in January 2008.
Allan has been working in the firm for over forty years and has expertise in a broad range of litigation matters, civil, family and criminal law actions, but particularly in some of the more specialised areas of law, such as:
Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal matters involving advice, preparation of documents and representation in building disputes, discrimination law and guardianship applications.
Employment law dealing with employment contracts, employment agreements, unfair dismissal claims and workplace health and safety issues.
Commercial litigation relating to the Fair Trading Act (QLD) and the Competition and Consumer Act (CTH).
Allan's experience in these areas has been recognised by his selection as a Panel Lawyer for the Rockhampton Regional Council and previously for the Building Services Authority, the Master Builders' Association and WorkCover Queensland.
Allan specialises predominantly in disputed matters in the family and civil courts. His experience and expertise also includes a substantial practice in criminal law, representing clients in a range of matters from minor traffic offences to defending clients for serious crimes involving a penalty of life imprisonment before the Supreme Court.
Carmel has worked behind the scenes from 10/03/2019 as a contractor for Grant & Simpson assisting with overflow work from the firm's word processing department. On 19/01/2021 Carmel joined the Administrative Team on a part-time basis, managing the firm's precedents and assisting with word-processing.
Carmel brings to the table extensive administrative experience and previous legal experience - she is a welcome addition to the firm.
Carmel enjoys her leisure time camping with her husband and spending time with her children and grandchildren.
Claudia completed her secondary education at Emmaus College, Rockhampton Claudia graduated from the University of Southern Queensland, Toowoomba with a Bachelor of Laws.
She completed her Practical Legal Training program and was admitted as a lawyer of the Supreme Court (Qld) in 2023. She is able to assist clients with general law.
In her spare time Claudia enjoys hiking and spending time with her family.
Katherine Lord completed her primary and secondary education in Rockhampton having attended the Hall State School and then Rockhampton State High School.
Katherine moved to the Gold Coast in 1996 and completed her Bachelor of Laws at Bond University. Katherine commenced articles of clerkship with Hirst & Company in Brisbane in 2000 and was admitted as a Lawyer of the Supreme Court (QLD) and the High Court in 2002. Katherine worked for the firm of Barry & Nilsson in Brisbane from 2003 until returning to her home town and commencing employment with Grant & Simpson in July 2006.
Katherine has practised solely in the area of Family Law since 2000.
Katherine is able to assist you with the following areas of law:
Family Law including complex property and children's matters
Domestic Violence
Kimberlee joined the team at Grant & Simpson in October 2021 in the role of Receptionist.
With Kimberlee's wealth of administrative experience and her aptitude for legal work she quickly moved into an administration role and eventually as legal Secretary to Partner Katherine Lord. She is happy to assist with any enquiries relating to family law.
Kimberlee, an avid reader, also loves camping, watching movies and her dog!
Kirsty finished High School in 2006 and worked in customer services jobs until her daughter was born in 2010. She moved to Rockhampton in 2018 and was a stay at home mum until 2021. She then started working part time at an aged care facility and then a craft store. In 2022 Kirsty completed a Cert 1 in Business Administration and did 18 weeks work Experience at the Mater hospital. A job was advertised at Grant and Simpson and she applied hoping to move into the field of criminal justice to complement her current university studies, a Bachelors degree majoring in History and Criminology.
In her spare time she enjoys reading, fishing, relaxing around a camp fire and being with her daughter and my family.
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- Support Staff Member
Louise commenced with Grant & Simpson in 2010 and has gained extensive experience in various areas of the firm's operation. Louise is now legal secretary to our managing partner, Allan Grant.
She also provides vital support to the firm's accounts department, lawyers, receptionists, secretaries, and paralegals and is responsible for the management of the firm's word processing operations and safe custody system.
Louise enjoys her recreational time with friends and family.
Melissa completed her primary education in a small sunshine coast town and attended High School in Bundaberg before moving to Rockhampton in 2000. Working as a Teller at the Commonwealth Bank, Melissa often saw the faces of Grant and Simpson employees, even enjoyed seeing our late Finance Officer Tony when he would pop into the bank to do the banking for Grant and Simpson. Melissa was then asked to join the law firm of John Williams and Associates as a Administrative Assistant in 2007. Melissa could not type. Umm, that's a dilemma! However, she remained Administrative Assistant to the principal solicitor there for 6 years until the retirement and closure of the firm and her maternity leave. Melissa has then worked as a legal Administrative Assistant in Rockhampton for a further 8 years until her commencement with Grant and Simpson in April 2022. Melissa has experience in Estate Planning, Deceased Estates, Commercial matters such as Leases and Agreements and Business, Rural and Residential Conveyancing.
Melissa enjoys photography, reading and her family. And she can now type.
Job Titles:
- Administration Assistant
- Secretary
- Support Staff Member
- Supporting Secretary
Sharleen commenced her legal career with Wright Clark Solicitors in Biloela before moving to Emerald and commencing employment with Grant & Simpson Lawyers Emerald in 2001. Over the years Sharleen has held various roles including Law Clerk at Shine Lawyers in Dalby before relocating to Rockhampton and joining our team as Conveyancing Officer.
Job Titles:
- Accounts Officer
- Support Staff Member
Prime Legal Solutions has the resources to interact electronically with legal practitioners who seek its services and also has experienced legal staff, including Janiene Huff who has been Stan's personal assistant for twenty years.
Taylah started at Grant & Simpson in March 2018 and has been actively involved as a member of the firm's administrative team since that time. Most of you will have seen her face on Reception, in Accounts and attending settlements around town.
Taylah recently joined the firm's Property Team as a Conveyancing Officer and is your "go to" person if you need any assistance with contracts, stamp duty calculations and the purchase or sale of your land, unit or house. Taylah is firmly backed and supported by the firm's Commercial and Property Lawyers, John Siganto, Bianca White and Anjanette Doyle
Taylah keeps herself busy outside of work attending Trivia Nights and spending time with family and friends.
Theresa Hornagold completed her primary and secondary education in Rockhampton having attended Frenchville Primary school followed by North Rockhampton High school.
She has a background of over 20 years of customer service face to face as well as over the phone. Theresa has joined the team at Grant & Simpson in the Role of a Receptionist.
Theresa enjoys spending time with her family, she also enjoys watching her son play FQPL Soccer for Frenchville.
Job Titles:
- Secretary
- Support Staff Member
- Conveyancing Officer
- Supporting Secretary