Business Details
50 Years
experience
Your Trusted Legal Partner in Townsville
Established in 1976, we have built a reputation as trusted problem solvers for clients across North Queensland. Our firm combines legal excellence with clear, human communication, ensuring clients feel supported and confident throughout their legal journey. Led by principals Michael and Sandra Clive with 58+ years of combined experience, we serve individuals, families, and businesses in areas including family law, conveyancing, criminal law, and agribusiness.Our approach prioritizes integrity, collaboration, and client-first service, offering fixed fee arrangements and flexible meeting options. We are deeply invested in rural communities, providing tailored solutions that address both complex legal challenges and everyday needs while maintaining affordability.
Services
Family Law
Conveyancing
Criminal Law
Estate Planning
Agribusiness Law
Commercial Law
Litigation
Traffic Law
Succession Planning
Property Law
Details
- Year established: 1976
Highlights and features
- We offer 50+ years of combined legal experience in North Queensland
- Our family-owned practice provides personalized service with fixed fee options
- We serve both complex corporate needs and individual legal matters
- Our team includes specialists in agribusiness and rural legal issues
- We maintain transparent communication in plain language clients understand
What people say
Exceptional legal expertise
Personalized service approach
Deep rural understanding
Clear communication style
Proven problem solvers
Services
Family Law
Our family law specialists handle divorce applications, child custody matters, and property settlements. We prioritize amicable resolutions through mediation while preparing robust court representation when needed. Clients benefit from compassionate guidance through emotionally challenging situations, with a focus on protecting children's interests and achieving fair financial outcomes. Our practitioners maintain current expertise in evolving family law legislation.
Conveyancing
We manage residential and commercial property transactions including off-the-plan purchases and rural land sales. Our conveyancers ensure title clarity, handle contract negotiations, and coordinate settlement processes. Clients receive clear explanations of legal obligations and protections against common property transaction risks. We provide fixed fee structures and timely completion guarantees for buyer and seller transactions across North Queensland.
Agribusiness Law
Specializing in agricultural legal matters, we assist with rural property transfers, water rights, and succession planning for farming enterprises. Our team understands unique challenges facing primary producers, including mining lease negotiations and PPSR registrations. With principals raised in the Burdekin district, we combine local knowledge with legal expertise to protect agribusiness interests in property disputes and regulatory compliance matters.
Estate Planning
We create comprehensive estate plans including wills, testamentary trusts, and advance health directives. Our approach safeguards assets against family law claims and ensures business continuity through structured succession plans. Clients receive tailored advice on tax-effective wealth transfer and protection of vulnerable beneficiaries. We specialize in complex cases involving blended families and multiple business interests across North Queensland.
Commercial Law
Our commercial law team advises on business structuring, contract disputes, and corporate transactions. We assist with mergers and acquisitions, franchise agreements, and debt recovery matters. Clients benefit from practical solutions that balance legal compliance with commercial realities. With experience handling both SME and corporate clients, we provide strategic guidance on risk management and dispute resolution across North Queensland.
People
Michael Clive
Principal
With over 25 years' experience, Michael leads our commercial and property teams. A former Clifford Chance solicitor in London, he specializes in complex property transactions and business law. Raised in the Burdekin district, he maintains strong rural connections while delivering metropolitan-level legal expertise.
Sandra Clive
Principal
Sandra heads our litigation and family law divisions with nearly 20 years' experience. A dual law and commerce graduate, she excels in dispute resolution and complex legal matters. She became a partner at 28, demonstrating exceptional capability in both courtroom advocacy and strategic legal planning.
Cassandra Adorni-Braccesi
Senior Associate
Specializing in family and criminal law since 2014, Cassandra advocates for amicable dispute resolution. She focuses on minimizing emotional impact while protecting client interests. With experience in mediation and court representation, she provides compassionate guidance through challenging legal situations.
Helen Oliver
Senior Associate
Helen brings 15+ years of family law expertise, particularly in complex property settlements. Admitted in multiple jurisdictions, she specializes in financial agreements and parenting matters. Her approach balances legal rigor with practical solutions for clients navigating difficult family transitions.
Jennie Burney
Senior Associate
Jennie specializes in property and commercial law with experience in New Zealand and Australia. She handles estate planning and rural property transactions, combining technical expertise with clear communication. Her background in renewable energy projects adds unique value to agricultural and commercial clients.
Questions
What areas of law does CBC Lawyers specialize in?
We provide comprehensive legal services including family law, conveyancing, commercial law, agribusiness law, criminal law, and estate planning. Our specialists handle both personal and corporate matters across North Queensland.
Do you offer services outside Townsville?
Yes, we serve clients throughout North Queensland including Mt Isa, Burdekin, and surrounding regions. Our agribusiness team provides specialized legal support for rural clients across the region.
How does CBC Lawyers handle property transactions?
Our conveyancing team manages residential and commercial property transfers with fixed fee arrangements. We handle contract reviews, title searches, and settlement processes while ensuring compliance with Queensland property laws.
What experience does your litigation team have?
Our litigation division has over 40 years' combined experience handling commercial disputes, family law matters, and criminal cases. We prioritize alternative dispute resolution while maintaining strong courtroom advocacy capabilities.
Can you assist with rural business succession planning?
Yes, our agribusiness specialists create tailored succession plans for farming enterprises. We address unique challenges including property transfers, water rights, and intergenerational wealth transfer for rural businesses.
How do you ensure affordable legal services?
As a family-owned practice, we maintain competitive rates without compromising quality. We offer fixed fee structures, transparent billing practices, and practical solutions that minimize unnecessary legal costs for clients.
