Karen Gaston

Mr Gibson obtained a B.A. and LLB (Hons 2A) from the University of Queensland in 1975. He was called to the Bar in 1976 and appointed Queen’s Counsel in 1989. He practices principally in the fields of contract, commercial, property (including planning and environment and mining and resources), administrative law and appellant proceedings. He has appeared in the High Court of Australia, the Supreme Court of Queensland, the Federal Court of Australia (in all capital cities), the Planning ...

Kirsten Van Der Wal is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Medical Negligence. Kirsten, who practices law in Brisbane, Australia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kirsten is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sean McMahon is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Funds Management and Investment Funds. Sean, who practices law in Brisbane, Australia, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Sean is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Damien has practised for over 40 years in the Family law and de facto relationship fields. Damien is an Accredited Family Law Specialist, a Mediator and an Arbitrator with extensive knowledge and expertise in all areas of family law. He has a particular interest in complex financial and property settlements and international family law matters. Damien is consistently recognised by his peers in published reviews as a leader in the field of family law. Damien was invited to become a Fellow of t...

Laura is a Special Counsel in the firm's Disputes Resolution & Litigation team, specialising in the areas of family business succession, estate planning and superannuation. She has over 16 years’ experience working with private clients and family businesses in crafting and executing succession plans. Laura’s key focus is to understand each individual or families motivation for their succession planning and tailor an appropriate plan for the individual or family. Her areas of e...

Kelli has extensive experience in insurance, product liability, public liability and workers’ compensation having acted for more than 30 years on behalf of insurers (both domestic and international), corporations, government bodies and instrumentalities. In the insurance area she has vast experience in acting on liability claims, particularly product liability, public liability and workers’ compensation. She has appeared before courts, regulatory bodies, inquiries and coronial inq...

Sarah is a Partner in our Planning and Environment practice and offers extensive experience in the areas of planning approvals, litigation and dispute resolution, together with many years of experience and a keen interest in environmental legislation and policy. Sarah provides front end advisory services, including project scoping, strategic planning advice and due diligence, through to representing stakeholders in planning and environment litigation, and assisting clients with environmental ...

Michael has 20 years’ experience in construction law and litigation obtained at firms in Australia, London, and in-house at some of Australia’s leading contractors. Michael’s advice is clear, pragmatic and considered. His comprehensive understanding of how major contractors operate, based on his own experience, gives him an appreciation of how legal and commercial risks fit within the bigger picture. He has also been involved in many high profile and complex construction dis...

A Partner with HopgoodGanim for more than 25 years, Brian leads our Corporate practice. Brian specialises in capital markets, mergers and acquisitions and corporate restructuring, and has acted on numerous transactions and capital raisings in both the industrial and resources and energy sectors. Brian is Non-Executive Chairman of Aus Tin Mining Ltd (ASX:ANW), Lithium Consolidated Mineral Exploration (ASX:LI3) and Platina Resources Limited (ASX:PGM), and Non-Executive Director of DGR Global Lt...

Laura Gahan is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leasing Law and Real Property Law. Laura, who practices law in Brisbane, Australia, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Laura is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.