Long-serving Townsville solicitor Arthur Browne’s passion for the law not only “rubbed off” on his son and daughter, it kept his wife Beth busy for 45 years.
Arthur and Rodney Barnes received their Queensland Law Society 50-year membership pins at the Townsville Celebrate Recognise Socialise event recently and Peter Elliott was also acknowledged for a half-century in the profession.
Arthur was admitted in April 1975. Initially working at Legal Aid Queensland after his admission, he then moved into private practice in March 1977 establishing his own firm, Arthur Browne and Associates.
“At this point I must thank my wife Beth, who is here tonight, and who promised to come back and work with me for six months but who stayed for the full duration of 45 years, and we are still married,” he told the Townsville function to much laughter.
“I must also acknowledge and give thanks to several people including my son and daughter, Terry and Joanne. When I started in 1977, Terry was seven and Joanne was three.
“So they grew up with mum and dad working in a law office, and they had the law for breakfast, lunch and dinner.
“Obviously some of that did rub off because Terry has followed by becoming a partner with me in the business, and then in 2018, he accepted a position as a magistrate in Cairns, where he still is.
“Our daughter Joanne went off to university, worked for us for a short period of time and decided to call in with QCAT as a member and now she is a senior member of QCAT in Brisbane.
“Beth and I are really proud of what our children have done.”
Arthur said his 50-year journey had not been a path walked alone, mentioning in particular his personal assistant as well as former colleague and QLS Future Leaders Committee President Matt Joshi.
“It has been a journey shared with colleagues, clients, staff, friends and most importantly family,” he said.
“Tonight’s recognition is not just about the years I have served but the many people who have stood beside me along the way. Thank you again for the Queensland Law Society for this honour and thank you to my family and friends for making the journey easier.”
Arthur Browne and Associates continues today as a long-serving Townsville law firm now under the direction of Nicola Davison and Simon Turner. While Arthur has stepped back from practising law, he is still involved as a consultant.
Rodney said he was also honoured by the QLS recognition but also “surprised” being 50 years a solicitor.
He “pondered the words” of Australian country music singer Frank Ifield’s I Remember You when making his speech.
“I can remember a few things,” he said, recalling his days as an article clerk and receiving $28 a fortnight in wages “that went quite a long way”.
“I am happy to say I remember finishing work on Friday in Brisbane, getting admitted as a lawyer on the Tuesday, and then driving a Mazda 1200 to come to Townsville to start work the following Monday.
“After that it was many years of professional practice and the joys and challenges of a busy professional life. I remembered a bittersweet moment when I left the practice and left behind partners, bank overdrafts and abnormal hours to go to the university.
“I still enjoy working and am really grateful to Mackey Wales Law for having on a some-time basis.
“My thanks again to the Law Society for the honour of receiving this pin. I remember with great affection many North Queensland Law Association conferences and the friendship that went there.”
Rodney was admitted as a lawyer in 1975 and into partnership at the long-established Roberts Lou and North, in 1976. Rod’s term included time as Managing Partner. In 2008, he was invited to be the first-in house solicitor at James Cook University. In 2011, Rod moved to be Director of Commercial Services and he remained at JCU until 2018, before returning to private practice with Mackey Wales Law as Special Counsel. Rod is a past president of the Townsville Chamber of Commerce.
QLS 25-year pins were awarded to Renee Bennett, Rebecca Fabbro, Leith Kennedy, Chris Mills OAM RFD and David Patton.
Renee Bennett – Wilson/Ryan/Grose
Renee has more than 20 years’ experience and achieved a Specialist Accreditation in Succession Law with the Queensland Law Society. She regularly presents on succession law topics at legal and accounting conferences and is an Adjunct Lecturer with the College of Law’s Masters of Law – Applied Law program. She previously held the position of Chair of the Queensland Law Society’s Succession Law Specialist Accreditation Committee and has served on the Board of NDIS service provider Cootharinga North Queensland. She was also a committee member of STEP Queensland for more than a decade.
Renee is an active member of the Townsville business community and is a current board member of the Good Shepherd Home Townsville. She is also a past President of the Townsville Business Women’s Circle.
Rebecca Fabbro – Groves and Clark
Rebecca is Managing Partner at Groves and Clark and attended James Cook University where she obtained a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws in 1998.
Rebecca started her articles with Suthers & Taylor in Townsville before joining Groves and Clark in November 1999 and was admitted in February 2001.
Rebecca became a Partner of Groves and Clark in 2004. Rebecca practises in residential, rural and commercial conveyancing, succession law and estate planning.
Leith Kennedy – Ruddy Tomlins & Baxter
Leith is a Senior Solicitor at Ruddy Tomlins and Baxter and practises in the area of family law.
She graduated from James Cook University with a Bachelor of Laws and was admitted after completing her articles in 2001. Leith is both Independent Children’s Representative and a Mediator.
She has lived in the Burdekin for more than a decade and has practised as a family lawyer in Townsville, throughout her career.
Chris Mills – Townsville Mobile Solicitor
Chris began his legal career began after his retirement from active service with the Royal Australian Navy. He graduated from James Cook University and was admitted in May 2000.
Initially working as the Consumer Rights Solicitor at Townsville Community Legal Service, he then started private practice as a sole practitioner in July 2002. Chris maintains a close volunteer relationship with veterans and their families, having been Secretary, Treasurer and Public Officer for the Veterans Support Centre NQ Inc for more than 20 years.
He was recognised for his contribution to the community of Townsville by being awarded the OAM and Townsville Citizen of the Year in 2013.
David Patton – wilson/ryan/grose
David is a property and commercial law Partner who has helped Queenslanders purchase, sell, lease and develop their assets for more than 25 years.
His areas of expertise include general commercial, commercial property and residential property law.
He has advised on matters local to Townsville through to the Gulf of Carpentaria, over to Cloncurry and down to Coolangatta. At wilson/ryan/grose, he leads the residential property team and is heavily involved in the firm’s precedents and knowledge management.
Outside of the law, he is a member of the Property Council of Australia’s Townsville Committee and a member of the Townsville Hospital Foundation Board. He is a self-confessed sports nut (particularly cricket), loves playing tennis and uses any excuse to be in the wilderness – fishing, hiking and camping.
The next Celebrate Recognise Socialise event will be held at the Gold Coast on 23 October.
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