Intrepidus Law Principal Solicitor Belinda Kochanowska says “anyone who thinks it is a good idea to start a legal practice is bonkers”, but with a supportive husband she went ahead and did it anyway.
And in the process her firm’s focus on disability rights earned the Queensland Law Society Solicitor of the Year (Small Firm) Award at the Society’s Excellence in Law Awards gala on Saturday night in Brisbane.
“This award represents the courage, persistence and resilience of our clients,” Belinda said, whose firm is now considered one of Australia’s leading practices dedicated to National Disability Insurance Scheme Law and disability rights.
“And although that may sound a bit corny but at Intrepidus Law much of our work is helping people challenge decisions under the NDIS – National Disability Insurance Scheme.
“My clients are parents who refuse to accept ‘no’ from a government agency when their child needs therapies or wants to speak their best words because they are experiencing severe burnout because of their child’s disability.
“They are people who have already faced enough obstacles without being asked to climb another mountain of red tape.
“It is an honour every day to turn up for work to fight the battles they fight.”
Belinda also encouraged other small firms to keep up the good work.
“To my fellow small firms please never underestimate the work that you do,” she said. “With a small firm there are relationships you build with your clients are incredibly important and it’s really brought home to me the really important role that solicitors have in our community representing the most vulnerable people.”
She agreed with other award winners on the night about the value of pro-bono work.
“Please listen to that and make it a part of your firm’s values to take on pro-bono work. There are so many people out there who need quality legal assistance and advice.”
Belinda said the firm’s lawyers enjoyed great success because they found a gap in the market that wasn’t being serviced.
“I hope this highlights the importance of NDIS law as a really important and emerging practice in law.”
As a mother and carer of an autistic child, Belinda brings lived experience to her legal work. With more than 20 years’ experience, she is a respected voice in national policy reform and appeared before the Senate Standing Committee in relation to the NDIS Amendment Bill in 2024.
Rob Grant receives his award from the QLS President.
Rob Grant also received unfailing support from his wife Chris in setting up Grant & Associates Family Lawyers. So, the Director Principal was also proud to be recognised as the Queensland Solicitor of the Year (Sole Practitioner), saying the trophy was “going straight to the pool room”.
“I think it is fair to say that all of our careers have been shaped by, and contributed to, by others,” Rob said, then thanked several lawyers including previous partners, those who wrote references, and former members of the Queensland Bar. So it seemed an appropriate choice winner’s song that Rob took to the stage to the strains of The Beatles classic, With a little help from my friends.
In particular he singled out long-time friend Vicki Jackson, who nominated him for the award, and who he considers one of the best family lawyers in the state.
“She’s also had a significant impact on me although she may not realise it. Whenever faced with a quandry, I would inevitably ask myself ‘what would Vicki do?’ And generally that would guide me with clarity.”
He also thanked his wife, a former schoolteacher, for working with him for 24 years and once he worked out who the boss actually was, Robert said it worked extremely well.
“Chris has been beside me every step of the way. A testament to how highly other lawyers felt about her, and what she brought to the practice, was that I had heard on numerous occasions heard lawyers say ‘I need a Chris’. My response has always been I’m not sharing, go and get your own.”
Rob has more than 50 years’ experience as a lawyer including 24 years as a sole practitioner. He is also is an accredited family law specialist, an Independent Children’s Lawyer (ICL) and Nationally Accredited Mediator. His contributed to the profession includes QLS and FLPA committees.
Keep an eye on Proctor for more award articles.
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