S + P Lawyers Swim Against the Tide

When every employer across the world is currently retrenching staff it seems unusual that one local law firm is still recruiting.

S+P Lawyers of Byron Bay and Lismore have recently confirmed the appointments of three new lawyers to their ranks.

Michele Joncourt is well known to the many parents of children attending Byron Bay High School over the years as she has been a long standing member of the P&C and School Council.  Prior to that Michele had years of experience in Sydney and locally as a property lawyer including leases, sales of businesses, liquor licensing, Wills and Probate.  She speaks fluent French and elementary Italian.

Jonathan Harlen would be well known to those of you who have read his more than 20 books that he has published in Australia and overseas.  Jonathan lives locally at Federal and is closely associated through his children with junior soccer.  Jonathan has joined us to assist in litigation and commercial law.

Dona L. Graham is another recent addition to S+P Lawyers.  Dona has extensive experience in working with the aged and those of all ages with disabilities through her roles with DAISI (Disability & Aged Information Service Inc) and the Northern Rivers Community Foundation.  Dona's particular expertise is in family succession planning advising on Wills, Powers of Attorney, Guardianship matters, Family and Special Disability Trusts, and Veterans legal issues.

S+P Lawyers is the nucleus of the old well respected firm of Stone & Partners who once were one of the largest regional firms in New South Wales.  Three of the original partners of the firm are now directors of S+P Lawyers, namely Ben Carroll specialising in commercial and financial transactions based in Lismore; Stuart Garrett specialising in property, tourism development, elder law and aged care based in Byron Bay; and Allan Cowley, an accredited specialist in both personal injury and commercial litigation (and a Public Notary) based mainly in Byron Bay.

"Our clients depend upon us to have the right people with the right experience across all facets of law at any time; that is the reason why we have to always be ready to help" said Stuart Garrett, one of the Directors.

S+P Lawyers has also bucked against the trend by opening, rather than closing, a new branch office at Cabarita Beach.  "An opportunity presented itself, a gap was there, and quality staff were available" said Ben Carroll, another Director of S+P Lawyers "we just had to go with it and we haven't looked back" he said.

Between the Directors, and between Allan Cowley and Stuart Garrett in particular, these three locals have over 50 years' experience in providing services to the people of the North Coast.  But not nearly as much as the much loved and very experienced Jim Fiford who in September 2007 merged his firm with S+P Lawyers in order to give greater diversification and experience to both firms.  Many years ago Jim was a Partner in the Lismore firm of Bondfield, Riley & Fiford as it was then known in the 70s and 80s.  Since then he has added to his qualifications as both a lawyer and an accountant and now has a Bachelor of Arts from SCU with a double major in Japanese.

"There has been a lot of bad publicity lately about costs in personal injury matters. It underscores the fact that people who are injured should only use local solicitors, who are experienced in this specialised field of law", said Allan Cowley, who is not only an accredited specialist but has been a local for almost 30 years.

For any enquires about this media release please contact Allan Cowley direct on (02) 66 396 553 or email allan.cowley@splawyers.com.au.