WONDERLEY - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Solicitor Contact
Alex joined the Wonderley & Hall wills and estates team in 2023. Upon completion of her legal studies at the University of Southern Queensland's Toowoomba campus, Alex was admitted as a solicitor in 2019.
Her passion for helping people has led her to focus on estate planning and administration where she is able to work with people who are preparing for or navigating some of life's toughest moments . Joining the wills and estates team at Wonderley & Hall is an opportunity for Alex to further develop her skills as part of a team of dedicated wills and estates professionals.
Arthur Hall was admitted to the partnership, which then changed its name to Wonderley & Hall.
Job Titles:
- Retired After 35 Years With the Firm
Craig Thompson is a Partner at Wonderley & Hall and head of a team of lawyers providing services across property, commercial and business law. Drawing on more than 20 years of experience, Craig works with his clients to create a long-term relationship that delivers value to both small and large businesses.
Craig demonstrates the critical characteristics of all highly regarded commercial lawyers with an approach that is efficient, thorough and detailed.
His services cover:
corporate structuring & tax
commercial and property transactions
joint ventures and financing arrangements
property development including subdivisions and off plan sales
intellectual property
estate and succession planning
Working across this range of areas while developing long-term advisor relationships with his clients, Craig enjoys the satisfaction of overcoming difficult legal obstacles while maximising the benefits to his clients in any transaction or legal matter.
Craig is a Toowoomba local and has worked at Wonderley & Hall since 1993. He has a passion for car racing and is a member of the Historic Racing Car Club Qld Inc and the Qld Historic Touring Car Association.
Job Titles:
- Partner
- Partner ( Still Serving ) of Wonderley & Hall After Joining As an Articled Clerk in 1999.
- Partner Contact
Damian Black joined Wonderley & Hall in 1999 and became a partner in July 2004. He holds a Bachelor of Business from University of Southern Queensland and a Bachelor of Laws from Queensland University of Technology.
He specialises in advising clients about purchasing, sales and commercial leasing of premises, as well as conveyancing, preparation of Wills and Enduring Powers of Attorney.
Damian also has particular expertise in business structuring, partnerships, trusts and retirement villages.
Damian Black became a partner (still serving) of Wonderley & Hall after joining as an articled clerk in 1999.
Job Titles:
- Secretary to James Halliday PH
Job Titles:
- Business Services Manager
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Special Counsel
- Special Counsel Contact
Ian Dempster is a Senior Associate at Wonderley & Hall who heads up the firm's commercial litigation team. Ian has more than 35 years of legal experience, developed over many years of running his own practice in Longreach, and more recently, practising in Toowoomba.
Clients appreciate Ian's engaging and forthright manner, as well as the strategic way in which he conducts all his matters. He is a tenacious legal advocate for his clients and enjoys the satisfaction of protecting and advancing their rights and interests to achieve the best results.
Ian advises clients when disputes arise across a diverse range of issues and legal areas including:
contract disputes
partnership disputes
estate (wills and trusts) and power of attorney (compensation) disputes
employment law (unfair dismissal and adverse action claims, employment contract disputes)
insolvency
intellectual property and copyright infringement
environment, town planning and land use issues
compensation matters involving workplace, traffic and other injuries and criminal compensation
regulatory prosecutions including liquor & gaming, environment and workplace health & safety
Ian enjoys membership of the Melbourne Cricket Club as well as Toowoomba's famous Downs Club. In 2004 he received a Recognition of Service from Legal Aid Queensland.
Job Titles:
- Retired from Wonderley & Hall After 26 Years, While Don Seawright and Earle Obst Joined the Partnership.
James Hall retired from Wonderley & Hall after 26 years, while Don Seawright and Earle Obst joined the partnership.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate Contact
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate Contact
Katie joined Wonderley & Hall in March 2011 and admitted as a lawyer by the Supreme Court of Queensland in April 2018. Prior to her admission Katie worked as a legal assistant and paralegal, predominantly in the property law area, for over fifteen years including working for prominent law firms in Brisbane.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Senior Solicitor
- Associate Contact
Leesa is a Senior Solicitor who works across Wonderley & Hall's commercial and business, property and rural law practice areas. With more than 25 years in legal practice in Toowoomba, she is one of the region's most experienced commercial lawyers.
Job Titles:
- Partner After Joining As an Articled Clerk in 1976.
- Retired After 46 Years With the Firm, Including 40 As a Partner. This Makes Him Wonderley & Hall 's Longest Serving Partner.
Lew Rowling retired after 46 years with the firm, including 40 as a partner. This makes him Wonderley & Hall's longest serving partner.
Job Titles:
- Retired After 37 Years With the Firm, Including 34 As a Partner.
Malcolm Heading retired after 37 years with the firm, including 34 as a partner.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Senior Solicitor
- Associate Contact
Mary-Anne is a Senior Solicitor practising in the litigation team of Wonderley & Hall, having joined the firm in 2016.
Job Titles:
- Retired After 33 Years With the Firm. Craig Thompson, Who Joined As an Articled Clerk in 1993, Became Partner ( Still Serving ) .
Mike Browning retired after 33 years with the firm. Craig Thompson, who joined as an articled clerk in 1993, became partner (still serving).
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Retired from Wonderley & Hall After 27 Years. Neville Sondergeld Joined the Partnership.
Morven Bond retired from Wonderley & Hall after 27 years. Neville Sondergeld joined the partnership.
Job Titles:
- Retired After 29 Years With the Firm.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate Contact
Job Titles:
- Solicitor
- Solicitor Contact
Stafford is a Toowoomba local who completed his undergraduate studies at the University of Southern Queensland in 2020 before completing his postgraduate training at the Queensland University of Technology in 2021. Stafford was admitted as a solicitor in November of 2021.
Stafford's primary focus is family law where he acts as an advocate for clients in both property and parenting disputes. Additionally, he also appears regularly in the Magistrates Court in domestic violence, criminal, and traffic matters. Because Stafford's areas of practice are ones where emotions often run high he knows how important is to conduct things in a cool, calm and collected manner.
Stafford sits on the Queensland Law Society's Future Leaders Committee, where he represents the interests of young and early career lawyers all throughout Queensland. This role allows Stafford to connect with and learn from a wide array of his peers, giving him experience that he takes back with him to his daily practice. He is also a part of the UniSQ Law Alumni Network, where he maintains a connection to his fellow graduates and helps to support aspiring lawyers at his alma mater. In addition, Stafford is the Treasurer of the Downs & South West Queensland Law Association, the oldest law association in Queensland.
Outside of the firm, Stafford is heavily involved in the Toowoomba community, playing for the Highfields Eagles in the Toowoomba Rugby League.