THE FIRM ON THE AVENUE

WHO WE ARE

The Firm on The Avenue

The solicitors and staff at the Firm on the Avenue continue to focus their knowledge and expertise to achieve the best possible result for their clients. As proud locals we are in a strong position to not only advance your legal position, but to assist you in local knowledge type areas, particularly for our interstate and international clients. We regularly attend upon clients in Brisbane and beyond in order that we may remain versatile and accessible to all our valued clients.

Vision: To do law differently by being innovative, utilising technology to our advantage, leveraging knowledge and adapting to our client’s needs.

Mission: To give our clients the tools, the knowledge and the support to prevent and effectively deal with legal issues as and when they arise, to be a fierce advocate and an impartial advisor when we are needed. No ego’s only outcomes.

CONTACT US

MEET THE TEAM

SOLICITORS

Melissa Guilfoyle

BA Business – JD – GD Legal Studies – Master of Forensic Accounting – GDLP – Cert IV Gov. Investigations – Diploma of Company Directors.

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.

Sian Cullen

Sian is a Sunshine Coast local and has established roots in the community. Her studies and early career took her to Brisbane and then to the United Kingdom where she practised in Family Law and Child Protection Law. During these times she worked on many complex cases involving children. She has been practising in these areas of law for over 14 years. Sian joined the Firm on the Avenue in 2021 and works in our Family Law team.

Having returned to the Sunshine Coast in 2017, she is committed to assist her clients and in all aspects of legal issues that arise within the Family Law context in an empathetic manner. She is understanding of the emotional stress that can be placed on families at these times and is driven to work in a positive manner and support her clients on their individual legal path. She can also refer you to other professionals she works closely with, in a collaborative manner to assist you on your journey.

Sian is a member of the Queensland Law Society, Family Law Practitioners Association, Sunshine Coast Law Association and the Sunshine Coast Business Women’s network. She also regularly volunteers at the Suncoast Community Legal Service and is a Committee Member.

When Sian is not in the office or at Court you will often find her at the beach, on her yoga mat or behind the wheel of a 4WD exploring many beautiful parts of SE Queensland. If Sian was not a Solicitor, she would find a way to continue to explore all that this world has to offer as a Corporate Traveller (in a pre COVID world).

Sian is primarily based out of our Sunshine Coast office but is also available for appointments at our Hervey Bay office as well.

Luke Middleton

Luke has worked exclusively in Family Law since his graduation from James Cook University in 2017. Luke joined The Firm on the Avenue team in 2021 and works in our Family Law team.

Luke has a range of expertise in property and parenting matters and regularly appears in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia and Family Court of Australia. Luke has a passion for assisting his clients in alternate dispute resolution processes including mediations, legal aid conferences and round table conferences.

Luke is also a member of the Queensland Law Society, Family Law Practitioners Association, Sunshine Coast Law Association and is a volunteer Solicitor with the Suncoast Community Legal Service.

Outside of work, you can find Luke at his second home, the local climbing gym. If Luke wasn’t a Lawyer he would ideally like to be travelling the world continuing to write his music as Borderland State, and playing live shows.

Luke is primarily based out of our Sunshine Coast Office, but is available for appointments at our Hervey Bay office as well.

SUPPORT STAFF

Kelsey

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 female-led 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!

Sunserae

Sunserae has brought with her many years of experience working in the legal industry. She works as a paralegal here at the Firm and heads up our Family Law Paralegal Team.

Sunserae has swapped the red dirt of the Pilbara for the beautiful blue ocean of Hervey Bay. Out of the office she’s is enjoying the beauties of Hervey Bay with her daughter, usually by the water.

Her dream is to travel to experience all the fine wine & cuisine that Italy has to offer. She has a passion for netball so you might find her down at the local courts watching the rising stars of Hervey Bay on a Saturday morning.

Will

Will is our jack-of-all-trades, he is our Justice of the Peace, administration and run around man. He is also a qualified air conditioning and refrigeration technician. When he’s not answering the phones at the Firm or doing general maintenance in the building, he is chasing after the four Guilfoyle girls, playing golf or out for a cruise on his motorbike. Will is an essential part of the Firm, always making sure Melissa isn’t without a coffee!

Karen

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 securities, conveyancing and divorces 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!

Shaleah

Shaleah currently studies psychology whilst working as a full-time admin assistant with the firm. The main goal for Shaleah it to always keep herself occupied for the benefits on her physical and mental health. Whether its weight training after work, road trips on the weekend, reading at the beach or baking up a storm in the kitchen; Shaleah always finds something to keep busy. This mentality can be seen in the office too, as an efficient worker she makes an exceptional addition to our clients conveyancing needs. Shaleah is presently building her first home and is on the lookout for a puppy – fingers-crossed she plans to bring the furry-friend in for a visit at the firm!

Fin

Fin is one of our hard working conveyancers. Fin strives to help others and she does whatever she can to lend a helping hand and always with a smile on her face (especially if she has a coffee in the other hand!). Fin has recently relocated to Hervey Bay from Western Australia and takes every opportunity she can to make the most of the weather. When she is not cheering up everyone in the office with her infectious enthusiasm, you will find her exploring the stunning sights Hervey Bay has to offer. She holds a Certificate III in Business and has a keen interest in the legal industry.

Bailey

Bailey is our conveyancing assistant working with the team to help you achieve your property goals. Bailey is an enthusiastic and dynamic problem solver with a positive attitude and an outcomes focus. Being an avid football player, he is quick on his feet and has limitless energy to run around getting the job done for our clients! Not only is Bailey sporty, but he is also musical. We have first dibs on back stage passes when he and his band “Clear Effect” become famous! For now, we are happy to watch them from the front row of our local licensed establishments on Friday and Saturday nights.

Bianca

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

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!

Steve

Steve is our consultant data analyst who works behind the scenes to help us quickly and effectively analyse your large volumes of data during litigious matters – particularly in family law.

Rebecca

Rebecca is our Trainee who is currently completing her Certificate III in Business

Michelle

Michelle is our casual marketing assistant who is responsible for our external communications.

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(07) 4128 4777

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SATISFIED CLIENT STORIES

The right advice that saves you money. Straight to the point, time efficient, no sugar coating, Fairly priced.

McDuff & Guilfoyle Lawyers - The Firm on the Avenue

Hervey Bay Tree Services

Highly recommend. Speak to them first.

T.S

Melissa Guilfoyle is amazing! I’ve been using The Firm On The Avenue for a number of years, including for buying and selling property, advising my business interests and some personal matters. I can’t rate the firm highly enough. They’re easily the most professional lawyers in the Hervey Bay area.

E.J

300+

Settlements Per Annum

1,200+

Matters Per Year

3,500+

Clients

PRINCIPLES

01.

Understanding

We aim to understand you so that we can best advise and support you through your legal matters.

02.

Knowledge

We are dedicated to continuous learning and improvement so that we can leverage our knowledge to assist you. We want you to remain in control of your own outcomes while we support you through the process and in order to achieve that, we will provide you with knowledge along the way.

03.

Empathy

We use our understanding of you, coupled with our knowledge of the Law (and life experience) to provide advice to you that also takes into consideration your experience, your perspective and your desired outcomes – because this is always about you.

Contact Us

Contact The Firm On The Avenue. Call us today, leave a message, email or find our office address below.

If you are concerned about costs, let us know. We have solutions that we can tailor to your requirements.

Address

Unit 2, “The Avenue” 58-60 Torquay Road PIALBA, PO Box 3252, Pialba Qld 4655

Phone

Phone: (07) 4128 4777
Fax: (07) 4124 1398

Email

admin@hblawyers.com.au