BOURKE LEGAL LAWYERS - Key Persons
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Member of the NSW Law Society
Jessica Prasser is a local girl, having completed her schooling at Trinity Catholic College in Lismore and Alstonville High School, graduating in 2008. She then went on to Griffith University in Brisbane, QLD to study a double degree in Business and Law.
In 2013 Jessica transferred her studies to Southern Cross University at Lismore, in order to take up employment with a well-known Ballina all services law firm and gain valuable experience in employment law, personal injury, conveyancing and wills and estates.
Jessica joined Pania Watt and Brendan Bourke in 2014, assisting them as a Legal Secretary and then as a Law Clerk. Following her admission to the Supreme Court of NSW in May 2015, Jessica has developed a practice focussing on work related disease injuries, and has gained a reputation for being able to work through the most complex workers compensation cases to obtain exceptional results for her clients. In 2021 Jessica was promoted to Senior Associate and practices out of the Bourke Legal Kingscliff office but also regularly travels to the Ballina office to see clients.
"The best part of my job is being able to give injured people a voice, to give them the opportunity to be heard and to help them navigate the path to resolution," says Jessica. "In the process, I help my clients to change focus from what's happened in the past, to being able to look to the future."
Jessica is a member of the NSW Law Society, the NSW Young Lawyers Association and the Far North Coast Law Society, and is also an Approved Legal Services Provider with IRO (Independent Review Office).
Jessica is a member of the NSW Law Society, the NSW Young Lawyers Association and the Far North Coast Law Society, and is also an Approved Legal Services Provider with IRO (Independent Review Office).
When not at work, you will find Jessica keeping fit by enjoying a walk along the Gold Coast coastline or enjoying a dinner out with friends and family.
Job Titles:
- Legal Secretary
- Legal Secretary to Pania Watt
Lauren is Legal Secretary to Pania Watt of Bourke Legal. She has been with Bourke Legal since August 2021. She started her career in legal administration in 2015 at a small personal injury law firm in Palm Beach QLD, and in 2016 to 2018 moved on to a large insurance defence firm in Vancouver, Canada.
During this time, Lauren enjoyed expanding her skillset in legal administration, whilst training to take her skiing and hiking pro - unsuccessfully.
Lauren's strengths have proven to be excellent communication skills, proactiveness and dedication to learning. She cares for her clients, consistently providing courteous and effective service to them.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Member of the NSW Law Society
Melissa ("Mel") graduated from Macquarie University with a Bachelor of Arts (Psychology) in 2009. She then worked in both the public and private sectors, including roles in administration and marketing at Ashurst, a top tier law firm based in Sydney.
After moving to regional New South Wales in 2012, Mel decided to become a Solicitor herself. She undertook her study while working as a Paralegal at a boutique personal injury law firm based in Orange. Mel graduated from the Legal Profession Admission Board in 2019 and was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales in May 2020.
Following her admission, it became obvious to Mel that Plaintiff personal injury law was her passion. She represented many people injured at work, in motor vehicle accidents or on public premises and gained significant experience advocating for her clients in both the Personal Injury Commission and the District Court of New South Wales. "I enjoy listening to a client's story and hearing about who they were before their injury and who they are now. With a full picture in my mind, I can then assist them to navigate this difficult chapter in their lives with calmness and compassion. I always want my clients to feel that someone is on their side." Mel has a particular interest in assisting first responders, including those suffering from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder ("PTSD") navigate the Workers Compensation system.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Member of the NSW Law Society
Pania Watt has built a strong reputation in workers compensation for plaintiffs in NSW, being named in the Doyle's Guide as a Recommended Plaintiff Workers Compensation Lawyer in New South Wales in 2022. Pania's practice is heavily focussed on work injury damages claims, and she has a particular interest in work related PTSD claims for NSW Paramedics and Firefighters. She is known for her communicative, efficient, and direct approach.
Pania graduated from Southern Cross University with a Bachelor of Laws in 2009 whilst working full-time as a Law Clerk and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland in March 2010.
Pania began working alongside Brendan in 2004, initially at Northern Rivers firm Stone & Partners, and then at Bourke Love McCartney Young from 2005 to 2009.
Pania began her practice in plaintiff insurance work at Bourke Love Lawyers after admission in 2010 and is now a Director of Bourke Legal. Over her career, Pania has worked in every position in a law practice from office junior to director, which means she has an excellent understanding and appreciation for the work required to get a case from A to B.
"I get a great sense of satisfaction out of helping people who've been injured get back on their feet again and regain control of their lives," says Pania. "I enjoy seeing my clients empowered by the knowledge they gain to ensure that they, or their loved ones, won't be in the dark about their rights or entitlements in the future."
After practicing in Ballina for 10+ years, Pania now heads up Bourke Legal's office at Kingscliff. She loves the sunny vibe at Kingy and feels very fortunate to be able to go to work beachside each day.
Pania is a member of the NSW Law Society, the Far North Coast Law Society and is an Approved Legal Services Provider with IRO (Independent Review Office).
When not in the office, you will find Pania at her local Pilates studio, or spending time with her family on the Gold Coast, where she lives with her husband and two children.
Sarah began her journey in the legal industry in 2020 before joining Bourke Legal in 2021 as Legal Secretary to Brendan Bourke.
Whilst continuing to assist Brendan with our Police Team and the onboarding of new clients, Sarah has recently moved into helping our Practice Manager, Lisette Lyons tackle the daily management of the firm.
She approaches her work with a can-do attitude and excellent attention to detail which is crucial to both of her roles, however, her exceptional memory serves as her best asset as she can relay important information and dates at the drop of a hat.
When not glued to her desk, Sarah is a Youth Leader at her local Presbyterian Church, enjoys running around a netball court and taking any chance she can to escape to the Gold Coast for a change of surroundings.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Member of the NSW Law Society
Sharnay is a member of the NSW Law Society, the NSW Young Lawyers Association and is an Approved Legal Services Provider with IRO (Independent Review Office).
When not at work, you will find Sharnay sketching, enjoying a good book or spending time with her friends, family and two dogs.