CG COLLECT - Key Persons
Aiden is Clifford Gouldson's newest Marketing Coordinator. With previous experience as a successful designer, student, and sales consultant. Aiden's strong innovation and communication skills shine through his work.
Aiden is a creative thinker and is not afraid to try new things to strengthen the relationship between Clifford Gouldson lawyers and their clients.
Outside of work, Aiden enjoys spending time with his family, and friends. Being new to the area, he also likes to search for new ways to get involved in the community.
Aiden holds a Bachelor of Business majoring in Marketing, from the University of New England, Armidale; and, he is currently studying for an Ads Search Certificate with Google.
If you have any inquiries about upcoming events or marketing initiatives at Clifford Gouldson Lawyers, please don't hesitate to contact Aiden via email at events@cglaw.com.au or by phone at +61 7 4688 2128
Amanda is a Director and heads up the firm's Commercial + Property section. A highly experienced lawyer, Amanda provides expertise across all aspects of rural, commercial, industrial and retail property and business transactions.
Amanda loves working with clients and helping them with exciting new ventures, such as buying businesses or farms or signing a lease to go into a new business premise. She enjoys long-term relationships with her clients, having worked with many clients for over a decade.
Amanda is a team-player, and believes in working with her clients, colleagues, and often, the other party, to find an agreeable outcome for everyone where possible. She derives great satisfaction from being regarded by her clients as a member of their team - helping them with their businesses and personal challenges. Many leading businesses, organisations and government organisations throughout the Toowoomba region and further afield in Queensland have benefited from her legal expertise.
After growing up and helping out on her family's cotton farm, Amanda chose to study law for its air conditioning, as well as for the academic challenge. However, she has found working as a lawyer more enjoyable than the study and a thoroughly rewarding career.
When she is not working, Amanda spends time with her three children, husband and her whippets. They love enjoying the parks and fresh air of Toowoomba together. More recently, she has started scuba diving.
Amanda is also heavily involved in her local community, with various Board and Committee roles over the years. She has been a Director for the Board of Empire Theatres Pty Ltd for eight years and is also a founding and ongoing member of the management committee of Protea Place Inc, a local charity supporting women in crisis.
Angela is special counsel in the firm's Workplace section, with a focus on industrial relations and employment law. She has over a decade of experience practicing exclusively in all aspects of industrial relations, employment law, anti-discrimination matters and the Fair Work Act and its predecessors. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Angela worked as a registered nurse.
Her clients benefit from her extensive experience and her calm and measured approach. Angela was drawn to this particular area of law due to the direct client contact it provides, as well as the challenges of constant change that come from new governments and new legislation.
Angela particularly enjoys the satisfaction of knowing she has made a significant change or impact to a workplace that was previously experiencing high stress or uncertainty. She believes in talking in plain English to her clients and is always approachable, honest and upfront in her assessment about their situations.
She has worked on many diverse matters in employment law, with one of the most interesting experiences being developing an enterprise agreement for surgeons. Another interesting matter involved a Queensland Industrial Relations Commission four-day hearing, in which Angela assisted a business in a dispute regarding the classification of worker as an employee or an independent contractor.
Outside of work, Angela enjoys spending time with her family and her dog. She loves tennis, and enjoys the theatre, reading and socialising with friends.
In the community, Angela is heavily involved with her children's school. She is Vice President of the P&F, as well as organising the yearly luncheon and high tea for the mothers. She is also the class coordinator for her daughter's grade, a coordinator for the rowing teams and secretary for the swim team. Outside of her school involvement, she attends her local nursing home for ‘tea and chats' with the residents, which are a highlight for her each fortnight.
Barry Chappell is a Senior Associate in our Litigation + Dispute Resolution team. Commercial litigation has been Barry's' main practice area since being admitted as a solicitor in 1986.
Barry has over 3 decades of experience working in law. His many years of experience have seen him working in accounting firms in insolvency, handling maritime disputes and practising commercial litigation and dispute resolution.
Barry's work has seen him work for a national firm in Canberra, as an insolvency accountant for a "Big Four" firm in Sydney, two prominent Brisbane accounting firms, as well as spending a few years as a partner in a mid-sized firm in England. All before returning to Australia, Queensland, to work in Brisbane & our local area.
Barry complements his wealth of practical experience with a passion for continuous learning. He has accumulated a number of graduate and post-graduate university-level qualifications in economics, accounting, history, politics, law, policing, intelligence and counter-terrorism. He believes that knowledge in diverse areas helps him understand the unique perspectives of each of his clients.
When he is not working, Barry keeps himself busy with reading and travelling. Barry also enjoys following cricket & Australian Rules Football.
Job Titles:
- Managing Director
- Director of Clifford Gouldson Lawyers
Ben is a Director of Clifford Gouldson Lawyers, and a well-known and trusted advisor to many Toowoomba, Queensland and national businesses over his more than two decades in the legal industry.
With a breadth of experience across multiple practice areas, Ben's expertise is unrivalled. Whether in workplace law, corporate advisory, export advisory, intellectual property, litigation and dispute resolution, construction law or tax, structures and estate planning, Ben's capacity to see the big picture and guide clients to simple solutions for complex legal problems makes him a highly sought after legal practitioner.
Holding degrees in Commerce (Majoring in Accounting) and Law (with Honours), Ben brings a unique combination of skill sets to his practice.
Ben enjoys working closely with clients and delivering advice from the client's perspective, in a way which ensures implementation of advice is possible. Ben acts as a sounding board for clients and other legal practitioners within CGLaw, drawing on his broad experience for the benefit of our clients.
Ben has been involved in significant litigation and high level legal work for clients over his legal career, including:
Acting for UPL Limited, one of the world's top five agrochemical and crop protection firms, supporting their Australian operations including prosecuting their intellectual property portfolio.
Representing our client in its defence of the first Class Action litigation proceeding ever filed in the Queensland Supreme Court, winning at first instance before Jackson J, winning in Queensland Court of Appeal (the matter is currently the subject of an application for special leave to appeal to the High Court of Australia).
Helping our client secure the first Anti-Anti Suit Injunction in Australia's history involving an overseas software development agreement, where private international law became a key feature of the litigation. It unfolded as the developer failed to hit key milestones in software development.
Securing a successful adjudication outcome for our client involving millions of dollars against listed company Transfield Services Australia Pty Ltd who were represented by Baker Mackenzie, one of the largest law firms in the world.
Forcing a French Government owned Australian Corporation to remove 3000 plus 20-meter long and 2.5-meter wide aluminium framed glass mirrors abandoned on our client's farming land after the company pulled out of a failed solar boost project in Queensland.
Securing compensation Orders against the French Government owned Australian Corporation for the loss caused to our client after they abandoned the goods on our client's land, following a six-day trial, up against Gilbert & Tobin and then Norton Rose Fulbright, one of the largest law firms in Australia.
Recovering millions of dollars in compensation from Clarke Energy (Australia) Pty Ltd after the Court found the Clarke Energy Project Manager engaged in what appeared to be sharp practice, dealing with our client's civil construction work on a project in Mt Isa, Queensland.
Being instrumental in a decision by the Queensland Government to broaden the application of the Subcontractors Charges Act 1974 (Qld) so that work performed off site could be the subject of a claim of charge when principal contractors become insolvent in Queensland.
Succeeding in dispute representation work for our clients against many of Australia's largest law firms acting for opponents like Nufarm, Barenbrug, Sony, Nintendo, GRDC, AGL Limited, Powerlink, Certain Underwriters at Lloyds of London, Frankipile Australia, Moody Civil & Pipe, Sensis, Onesteel, Roberts & Schaefer Australia, Golding Contractors, Coates Hire, Masters Home Improvement, McDonnell Dowell, Wanless Waste, Telstra Limited, Jet Care, Laing O'Rourke Australia, QGC, Toll Holdings, BP Australia, Ruralco / Nutrien Ag Solutions, Elders Rural Services, Commonwealth Bank of Australia, National Australia Bank, to name a few.
Succeeding in a trademark dispute against Masters Home Improvement Australia so as to secure our clients trade marks and trading paraphernalia.
Acting for a national Franchisor across a range of matters throughout Australia.
Representing the University sector in advising in changes to risk frameworks, research projects, student misconduct / complaint matters, intellectual property, research and material transfer matters.
Advising Regional Councils throughout Queensland on a range of matters, including intellectual property, risk assessment and decision making, and litigation and dispute resolution.
Managing portfolios of intellectual property for our clients, including advising on their undertaking of commercialisation activities throughout Australia and worldwide.
A local boy, born and raised in Toowoomba, Ben has a passion for giving to others and the community. He volunteers on many local committees and boards.
In addition to his board roles, Ben also volunteers as a mentor for the State Government's Mentoring for Growth Program, as a mentor with the Toowoomba Chamber of Commerce's Future Leaders Mentoring Program, and judges the Chamber's Business Excellence Awards each year.
Ben has served in executive capacities on the Saints Basketball Club, Toowoomba Basketball Association, Chiselhurst Kindergarten, Toowoomba Anglican School P&F, Fairholme College P&F, Darling Downs District Health Service Human Research Ethics Committee, University of Southern Queensland Human Research Ethics Committee, USQ Student Guild, Institute of Managers & Leaders Local Chapter Committee, and the Housing Industry Association Toowoomba Branch, Toowoomba Mountaineers Limited, Study Toowoomba Inc, and the Board of Trustees for the Empire Theatres Foundation.
Brian Conrick is a vastly experienced lawyer. He provides our clients with both legal and practical commercial experience at the most senior levels.
Brian's experience includes many years as a partner in a leading national law firm. Brian worked with both private and public sector entities on a long list of outstanding resources, infrastructure and commercial projects, including:
Mining Projects - Structuring and negotiating delivery contracts for design and construction of infrastructure works (including dam, roads, rail infrastructure, mining village, washplant and mine development works) and long-term contracts for mining operations.
Olympic Stadium, Sydney - Principal advisor to the Head Contractor, Obayashi Corporation, in relation to the complete documentation for the financing, construction, operation and maintenance of the Olympic Stadium.
Airline Industry - Start-up arrangements with major airports, operation and maintenance contracts and a wide variety of commercial agreements.
Ports - Drafting and advising on contracts for operation and management of major export port facilities.
Power Station Expansion - Drafting and negotiating long term Operating and Maintenance Contract and Station Services Contract for power station expansion.
Local Government - Drafting and advising on conditions of contract for a 20-year construction and operations contract for the entire waste management system for the City of Brisbane.
Advice and Drafting for Government - Ministerial advices, drafting agreements and advice for Queensland Government Departments and authorities including Transport, Railways, Health, and the Building Services Authority.
Brian's work in the corporate sector has included the positions of Company Secretary and General Counsel for publicly listed companies as well as the Commercial and Infrastructure Manager for an iron ore mining project. His career includes:
Negotiating a 15-year generation contract
Delivery agreements for 200 kilometres of 330kV power line
45-year port tenure agreement
Negotiating rail corridor, access and haulage arrangements
Drafting and concluding Memoranda of Understanding with international rail and port authorities
Outside of his legal work, Brian is a Cricket Australia qualified community coach and has previously been a board member and Vice-President of the Queensland Ballet.
Carly works in Commercial + Property law. She has extensive experience from working in this area with large legal practices, as well as running her own practice, Pearl Commercial Law, in Brisbane's west.
Carly has particular expertise in assisting clients achieve successful outcomes with property development projects. Her projects include residential, industrial and commercial community titles schemes, mixed use developments, staged developments, boundary realignments, house and land packages and complex titling arrangements.
She also acts for a number of owners of commercial office buildings in the Brisbane Technology Park, where she assists with the acquisition, improvement and leasing of assets and the titling and development of new builds.
Her current clients include commercial, industrial and residential property developers, managed investment trusts, high net worth individuals and self-managed superannuation funds.
Carly also has a wealth of experience in business sales and acquisitions.
When Carly isn't working, she enjoys spending time with her husband, 2 young sons and their staffy, trying to find things to cook that her children will eat and reading. Carly has ambitions of getting back into weekend motorbike rides with her husband one day when the kids are older.
Clifford Gouldson Lawyers is headquartered in Toowoomba having started our journey here with the foundation of the firm by Ben Gouldson and Danny Clifford in 2006. Along with Amanda Tolson and Harrison Humphries who have since also joined the directorship, each of our Directors are located in our Toowoomba office along with our management team and core support services.
Danny is a Director of Clifford Gouldson Lawyers, practicing in the area of Employment and Workplace law. With extensive experience in this area of law, many of the region's largest enterprises seek Danny's advice for both strategic direction and guidance to manage day-to-day workplace challenges.
The challenges of managing large workforces, dealing with unfair dismissal issues and maintaining compliance with the complex Fair Work requirements are all eased by the advice, guidance and training provided by Danny and his workplace team.
Danny and his team provide solutions across the full spectrum of workplace issues including employee management, discrimination, health & safety, agreements & awards, policy implementation and training.
As a lawyer, Danny enjoys working with clients to approach questions with a logical, reasonable and practical approach.
Outside of work, Danny spends time mountain biking and surfing. He is also a Board member for South West Queensland Thunder football club.
Harrison is a Director of CGLaw and Head of the firm's Litigation, Dispute Resolution and Construction teams. He has expertise in civil litigation and dispute resolution, with a particular focus on business disputes.
Harrison provides advice and services across the full range of litigation, dispute resolution and construction issues encountered by Clifford Gouldson Lawyers' clients. Whether it be seeking payment of or challenging outstanding debts, resolving disputes between business partners, or advising on contractual or negligence disputes, Harrison is highly experienced in these areas, having practised them since joining Clifford Gouldson Lawyers in 2013.
With over 18 years of legal experience, including in Construction Law, Harrison understands the intricate regulatory landscape that governs this sector and the nuances of the relationships that underpin this important part of the economy. Harrison provides comprehensive legal guidance to various stakeholders involved in construction projects, including commercial contractors, home builders, subcontractors, tradespeople, principals, homeowners, and suppliers.
Harrison is fortunate to have a long association with University Cricket Club in Toowoomba and Toowoomba Cricket generally. He is currently in charge of Toowoomba Cricket's judiciary as its Commissioner.
Harrison is a proud Toowoomba Grammar School old boy and was Senior Prefect (School Captain) in his final year. He was appointed to the Board of Trustees of TGS in September 2020.
Harrison has authored and co-authored over 20 CG Law Legal Alert articles, which can be accessed via his profile on LinkedIn. He has also delivered legal awareness presentations and business essentials seminars each year for the last 9 years.
Job Titles:
- Commercial Property Paralegal
Job Titles:
- Fishing Club Founder and Member
Job Titles:
- Business Consultant
- Business Consultant at Clifford Gouldson Lawyers
John Gray is a seasoned Business Consultant at Clifford Gouldson Lawyers, bringing over 25 years of experience in law firm marketing, management and legal practice. His role at the firm encompasses a broad range of responsibilities, all aimed at enhancing the firm's market position, business development, and overall strategic direction.
John's primary responsibilities include managing the firm's marketing and business development program, providing coaching and support to directors and the team in developing their networks and marketing skills, and playing a pivotal role in firm strategy programs and decision-making processes. His insights and strategic advice are integral to the firm's growth and success.
In addition to his strategic and marketing responsibilities, John is a member of the firm's Board and Management Committee, where he contributes to the overall governance and direction of the firm. He also works closely with the Managing Director and Practice Manager on communications and team performance, helping ensure that the firm operates efficiently and effectively.
John holds a Bachelor of Arts (Journalism) and a Bachelor of Laws. He was admitted in 2004 and has practiced in estate planning, general commercial, and rural and commercial property. His unique combination of legal expertise, business nous, forward-thinking and marketing acumen makes him a valuable asset to Clifford Gouldson Lawyers and their clients.
Lisa Hooper is a Special Counsel in our growing Commercial + Property team who offers a wealth of experience across property, business, estates and related fields of law. Lisa has more than 15 years in legal practice on the Darling Downs and has an in-depth understanding of clients' needs resulting from her experience at firms within Toowoomba and in smaller regional areas.
Lisa is highly analytical and combines attention to detail with a focus on achieving both the best legal result and the best commercial result for her clients. Many clients have come to trust Lisa in assisting with the documentation and implementation of their crucial projects and transactions.
Her impressive experience encompasses:
Property law including easements, boundary realignment and developments, residential, rural and commercial transactions, and super fund limited recourse borrowing arrangements;
Commercial & Business including leasing for rural, commercial and retail premises as well as business sales and purchases;
Estates & Wills including administration and family provision applications and preparing wills and enduring powers of attorney.
Lisa's transaction experience includes a range of specialty properties such as pharmacies, hotels/motels and vineyards as well as documenting water allocation agreements.
Outside of work Lisa enjoys relaxing with her family and spending time reading and gardening.
Michelle is currently on maternity leave.
Michelle is a member of our growing Wills, Estates, Planning + Structuring section and works closely with Sheelagh Gray to provide clients with the reassurance that comes from knowing their personal affairs and testamentary wishes are effectively expressed in legal form.
Michelle enjoys the personalised nature of her work in estate planning and getting to know the personal and family situation of each client. This personal touch is reflected in how client's respond to Michelle's naturally friendly and welcoming nature.
Michelle enjoys the legal challenges, complexity and uniqueness that comes with her estate planning role. Listening to her client's concerns and legal goals and providing her client's with the best legal outcome for their circumstances gives Michelle considerable personal satisfaction.
Michelle is kept busy outside of work with a young family and enjoys a range of hobbies including sewing, recreational jogging and reading her favourite novels.
Michelle completed a double Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Business with honours from the University of Southern Queensland and completed her Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice with the College of Law before being admitted as a lawyer in 2020.
Patrick is a Graduate Law Clerk who works across our Intellectual Property and Commercial & Property Teams based in our Toowoomba office. He is anticipating being admitted as a lawyer early in 2024.
Patrick's experience at other firms includes assisting with property matters, including residential, commercial, and rural transactions. He appreciates the personal significance these matters have for our clients and enjoys having the opportunity to help.
Patrick has an admirable commitment to his local community through his time spent as a Youth Group Leader at Outlook Christian Church, spending every Friday night hosting games and facilitating a safe and welcoming environment for local teens.
In his spare time Patrick spends quality time with loved ones in the great outdoors, and aims to make as much time for sport as possible. Patrick is an avid runner, swimmer, and armchair rugby league expert.
Patrick holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from the University of Queensland and a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the College of Law.
Job Titles:
- Client Relations Officer
- Clifford Gouldson 's Client Relations Officer
CG Law acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of the land upon which our Toowoomba office is located being the Jagera, Giabal and Jarowair people.
Ruth is Clifford Gouldson's Client Relations Officer in our Toowoomba office and is the first point of contact to greet clients in person or on the phone. Ruth was drawn to her role for the opportunity to meet all our wonderful clients and referrers.
Sarah-Jane is a lawyer based in our Toowoomba Office and is part of our Litigation + Dispute Resolution and Construction practice.
Sarah-Jane is committed to working with her clients to achieve the best possible outcomes in difficult construction, litigation and dispute matters. She is primarily focused on commercial and civil litigation and is motivated by assisting clients to achieve their business or personal goals while protecting their legal interests.
Prior to joining CGLaw Sarah-Jane had a diverse range of experience in a Brisbane firm working across litigation and dispute resolution, commercial law, family, administrative law, workplace and planning & environment. She is degree qualified in both law and psychology and believes this background helps her build rapport and understand the needs and wants of clients from diverse backgrounds.
In her prior role, Sarah-Jane was involved in controversial matters relating to judicial reviews of the Covid-19 Vaccine Mandates that were issued throughout 2020-21. She worked closely with large groups of QPS Officers, paramedics, nurses, teachers and others who were impacted by the mandates.
Sarah-Jane in her spare time also assists the Northern Territory Working Women's Centre in preparing law and policy reform submissions and was instrumental in preparing submissions on law reform for the centre which were considered in Senate hearings.
Outside of work Sarah-Jane enjoys camping, 4 wheel driving and pretty much anything outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Section Head - Wills, Estates, Planning Structuring