Melissa McGarrity

Sophie is a media lawyer and litigator with extensive expertise in media and defamation matters. She specialises in defamation, contempt of court, suppression orders, freedom of information and court access applications, confidential information claims, privacy law, pre-publication advice, copyright and cyber safety law. She has acted for and advised many of Australia’s largest media organisations, large corporations and politicians, authors, and high profile/high net worth individuals ...

Luke Mountford leads HopgoodGanim Lawyers as Managing Partner and also leads our Private Enterprise practice, working predominantly with HG Private clients advising on their corporate and commercial legal matters. Luke has a significant experience base advising on business succession, structuring, and mergers and acquisitions. His clients include private and family owned businesses, agribusiness clients, indigenous businesses and high wealth individuals. He has a particular interest in family...

Richard Leahy is the Legal Practitioner Director of Cochrane Leahy Litigation. Richard was a partner in an award winning, national firm, practising in commercial and insurance litigation. Identifying a gap in the Queensland legal market, he has now created his own boutique commercial litigation firm, with an emphasis on expert but commercially pragmatic service for businesses and individuals.

Rocco is an internationally recognised dispute resolution lawyer with expertise in court and tribunal matters, advocacy, negotiation, and alternative dispute resolution.He works across Australia to resolve disputes in the corporate and commercial, construction, property, insolvency, defamation and intellectual property fields, as well as representing clients in corporate investigations and commissions of inquiry. He has specific experience in complex, high value, business critical disputes, a...

Brady Cockburn is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Motor Vehicle Law and Personal Injury Litigation. Brady, who practices law in Brisbane, Australia, has been recognized since 2018. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Brady is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Wendy brings more than 25 years of experience in the development industry, first as a town planner and later as a planning and environment lawyer. She advises developers, government agencies and resource sector clients on complex planning and infrastructure matters, with expertise spanning planning litigation, statutory and strategic planning, infrastructure planning and agreements, and cultural heritage. Wendy is recognised for her ability to deliver exceptional planning outcomes through str...

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.

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 ...

Emma Donaghue is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Funds Management and Investment Funds. Emma, who practices law in Brisbane, Australia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Emma is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Paige Edwards is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates and Wealth Management / Succession Planning Practice. Paige, who practices law in Brisbane, Australia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Paige is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.