Business Details
35 Years
experience
Trusted Legal Services in Cairns & Townsville
At Preston Law, our focus has always been on you. For over 30 years, we have provided expert legal advice to individuals, families, and businesses across Cairns, Townsville, and regional Queensland. Our locally-based team possesses an in-depth understanding of the legal challenges faced by our clients, combining decades of experience with a commitment to personalized service. We specialize in resolving complex legal matters across family law, conveyancing, wills and estates, employment law, personal injury claims, and commercial litigation. Our practice is built on transparency, offering fixed-fee, deferred, and staged payment options to ensure accessibility.With a proven track record in achieving out-of-court settlements and a deep-rooted connection to the North Queensland community, we prioritize your interests in every transaction. Our lawyers take the time to understand your unique circumstances, developing strategies that deliver practical solutions and long-term relationships. We maintain rigorous professional standards while offering top-tier legal services at competitive regional rates, as evidenced by our successful representation of major commercial entities and countless individual clients.
Services
Family Law
Conveyancing
Wills & Estates
Employment Law
Personal Injury Claims
Commercial Litigation
Native Title Law
Agribusiness Law
Details
- Year established: 1991
Highlights and features
- We offer 30+ years of legal expertise in North Queensland
- Our locally-based team understands regional legal challenges
- We provide fixed-fee and flexible payment options
- We maintain a 99% out-of-court settlement success rate
- We combine top-tier legal expertise with regional affordability
What people say
Sound legal advice
Timely manner
Highly recommend
Exceptional service
Stress-free process
Services
Family Law
Our family law practice handles all aspects of relationship breakdowns, including property settlements, child custody arrangements, and prenuptial agreements. With Cairns' largest family law team, we provide compassionate yet pragmatic advice to achieve favorable outcomes through negotiation or litigation. Our expertise covers complex matters like international child relocation, de facto relationship disputes, and high-value asset divisions, ensuring clients' rights and children's best interests are protected while minimizing emotional and financial stress.
Conveyancing
We offer fixed-fee conveyancing services for residential and investment property transactions across North Queensland. Our experienced team guides clients through contract reviews, government searches, pest inspections, and settlement processes while addressing body corporate obligations and foreign investment requirements. With dedicated conveyancers in both Cairns and Townsville offices, we ensure smooth property transfers through meticulous attention to detail and proactive management of potential complications during the buying or selling process.
Wills & Estates
Our wills and estates specialists help clients create legally binding documents that clearly articulate their wishes regarding asset distribution, guardianship, and healthcare directives. We assist executors with estate administration, resolve will disputes through mediation or litigation, and defend challenges to testamentary validity. The team provides advanced healthcare directives and tax-effective succession planning to protect clients' legacies while minimizing family conflicts through comprehensive, forward-thinking estate planning strategies.
Personal Injury Claims
We represent clients in workers' compensation, motor vehicle accident, and public liability claims across Cairns and Townsville. Our no-win-no-fee service guarantees experienced senior lawyer representation throughout the claims process, including strict adherence to time limits and negotiation with insurance companies. With over 50 years combined experience and a 99% out-of-court settlement rate, we maximize compensation for pain and suffering, lost income, and medical expenses while providing transparent cost structures and dedicated case management.
Commercial Litigation
Our commercial litigation team advises businesses on contractual disputes, debt recovery, and regulatory compliance matters. We handle complex commercial transactions, franchising agreements, and construction disputes while representing clients in partnership disagreements and insolvency proceedings. With deep understanding of North Queensland's business environment, we provide strategic legal solutions that protect commercial interests through negotiated settlements or courtroom advocacy when necessary.
People
Tim Dobinson
Partner
With extensive experience in commercial litigation and property law, Tim provides strategic legal solutions to business clients across North Queensland. His expertise spans complex property transactions and dispute resolution.
Danielle Little
Partner
Specializing in property transactions, Danielle delivers efficient conveyancing services while maintaining exceptional client communication throughout the buying and selling process.
Madison Fry
Associate
Recognized for her adaptability and attention to detail, Madison provides comprehensive support in property transactions while ensuring clear client communication.
Sheree Ellwood
Special Counsel
A skilled family law practitioner, Sheree combines professionalism with compassion when guiding clients through emotionally challenging legal matters.
Michael Laycock
Partner
Specializing in wills and estates, Michael helps clients create comprehensive succession plans while resolving estate disputes through mediation or litigation.
Questions
Will using a family lawyer automatically lead to court proceedings?
No, most family law matters resolve through mediation. Our lawyers prioritize negotiated settlements to minimize stress and costs while protecting your rights.
How much does a family lawyer cost in Cairns?
Costs vary by case complexity. We offer transparent pricing with fixed-fee, deferred, and staged payment options to suit different budgets and circumstances.
What are the time limits for making a personal injury claim?
Time limits vary by claim type - 9 months for motor vehicle accidents and 3 years for workers' compensation. Early legal consultation ensures compliance with deadlines.
Can I create a legally binding will without a lawyer?
While possible, professional legal assistance ensures your will meets all requirements, minimizes disputes, and properly addresses complex asset distributions.
Do you offer legal services in Townsville?
Yes, we have a fully operational Townsville office providing the same comprehensive legal services as our Cairns location.
What happens if I receive court documents from my ex-partner?
Seek immediate legal advice to understand your obligations. Our family lawyers will help develop strategies to protect your interests and respond appropriately.
