THE FIRM ON THE AVENUE

As Principal of the firm with over sixteen years of experience, Melissa sets the tone for the culture we carry here at The Firm On The Avenue. As a mum to four daughters, Melissa goes out of her way to ensure that her team members enjoy a balanced home & work life. With all of Melissa’s experience and qualifications it is her drive for the clients that sets her apart. Some of Melissa’s specialty areas include traffic, wills & estates, family, crime, conveyancing and international. When Melissa isn’t running over to court or grabbing her 5th coffee for the day, you might find her burning off some steam at our local F45. If you can’t spot her there she may be plotting out her next big move; State Coroner. Fittingly for Melissa she has also chosen a fall-back option that we all really support; Aldi’s International Wine Buyer.

With her degree in banking and finance, Karen is an eagle-eye when it comes to figures. As our paralegal here at the firm, Karen is especially fulfilled when working in the wills and estates department. She enjoys taking the time to understand the client’s wishes when handling their most sensitive information. After only living in the local area for two years, Karen couldn’t imagine living anywhere else but Hervey Bay. Four-wheel-driving with some friends is Karen’s ideal weekend break – which we are avidly awaiting an invitation to! We couldn’t ever put a label on Karen’s office superpower because that would mean limiting her to just one, but depending on the day, the mood and amount of coffee consumed, Karen could be excelling in a variety of specialties, for example, she always knows when a phone is about to ring!

Kelsey is our resident office-jester, if she isn’t laughing she is sure to be making someone else laugh nearby. With her law degree almost complete, Kelsey’s fresh take on legal matter and keen interest in crime & conveyancing make her invaluable to our all-female team. Kelsey is the paralegal to the principal of the firm – Melissa – and has over a decade in administrative experience. Out of the office, Kelsey is a family ‘gal’ and will do any activity if it means being able to spend time with her nieces. When Kelsey isn’t burning all her energy on our client’s needs, she is plugging in her headphones, blasting the tunes and going on a long run around the Bay. We’d go with her but we know we’d never keep up!

Monique’s speciality covers conveyancing and family/criminal law. She is our resident chatter-box, especially if the conversation involves dogs. In free time Monique (like a lot of us in the legal industry) will be found curled up with her partner watching true crime documentaries, spotting the fatal mistakes of the crime far in advance. For twenty years Monique has enjoyed the pleasantries of living in the tranquil town of Hervey Bay. With Monique’s approachable smile and easy-going nature, you are sure to have the smoothest experience whilst she meets your every need.

Bianca holds a law degree from CQU and makes part of our paralegal team here at the firm. Bianca’s interests are extensive and covers employment, commercial and family law. If not digging deep into a legal matter, her second choice of profession would find her digging up historic remains as an archaeologist. As the quiet one in the office, you wouldn’t imagine just how much of a wild ride Bianca can be. Outside of work Bianca is a keen horsewoman and competes in extreme cowboy racing, she even placed 2nd in the intermediate division. Keep your eye out for this one because come 2021, you just might spot her on the television for the EXCA Worlds in Texas USA!

Kira has been climbing the legal ladder since she was 19 years old. With a total of 17 years of industry experience, we’re fortunate to call Kira our Senior Bookkeeper. If not a bookkeeper, Kira would have made a great teacher, she even home-schools all five of her children! Kira’s office superpower is her attention to detail, she is a self-proclaimed ‘organisational freak’ when it comes to paperwork. On occasion, when Kira manages to steal away some peace, you may spot her boating along the crystal waters of Hervey Bay, soaking up the beach life and exploring what nature has to offer. As a lover for travel, Kira’s next goal is to do ‘the big lap’ of Australia – we want photos!

Judy is an accredited Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner and was recently admitted to the NSW Supreme Court. While she is new to the Law she brings with her 30 years community nursing & 20 years teaching experience. She is a mother to 3 Children, Grandmother to 9 children (including our Principal Solicitor!) and Great-Grandmother to 8 children. Judy is passionate about helping separating couples achieve balanced outcomes without the intervention of the Courts wherever possible. She aspires to be Judge Judy before she retires and lists Ruth Bader Ginsburg as one of the greatest humans to walk the planet in her lifetime “Real Change, Enduring Change, happens one step at a time”.