Introducing Our Team

Kara Best is the Legal Practice Director at Best Wilson Buckley Family Law and has practiced exclusively in family law following her Admission to Practice in 2001. Kara was born and bred in the local area and returned to Toowoomba in 2007.

Dan is a Legal Partner of Best Wilson Buckley Family Law, and works predominantly in its Brisbane office. Appreciated by his clients for his compassionate professionalism, Dan has worked hard to develop a style which assists clients to make critical decisions concerning their children and their financial interests.,

Amity Anderson is an Accredited Family Law Specialist and Legal Partner at Best Wilson Buckley Family Law’s Ipswich office. Amity has practised exclusively in family law since her admission in 2008 with extensive experience in a top tier firm in Brisbane.

Andrew McCormack has practiced exclusively in family law since 2005. He is an Accredited Family Law Specialist and Collaborative Lawyer. Prior to 2005 Andrew had experience in general practice areas including litigation succession law wills and estate administration and agency matters.

Lynn Armstrong is a Senior Associate and Accredited Family Law Specialist in the firm’s Toowoomba office. As an established Toowoomba family lawyer, Lynn has over 12 years’ experience in exclusively practising family law and has an exceptional knowledge in her specialisation across all areas of property and parenting, with further extensive experience in child protection matters, and domestic violence cases.

Neal Wood has specialised in family law since his admission in 2008. Prior to joining the Best Wilson Buckley Family Law Team as an Associate in early 2015 Neal worked exclusively in family law firms in Brisbane. Neal’s experience in all aspects of family law and knowledge of the law and Court that only a more senior practitioner provide is a comfort to clients.

Linda is a Senior Associate and Accredited Family Law Specialist in our North Lakes office. With a Bachelor of Laws from Southern Cross University in Lismore, Linda has practiced exclusively in family law since her admission in 2003.

Zoe Adams is a Senior Associate in the firm’s Brisbane office. Zoe has specialised in family law since her admission in 2006. Having hailed from the Gold Coast, Zoe worked in the firm’s Toowoomba office before relocating to Brisbane. Zoe is motivated by helping clients through what is often a traumatic event in their life by listening and providing advice that may be hard to hear but is in the best interests of the client and their family for the long-term.

Alecia is an Associate with Best Wilson Buckley Family Law and is the founding member and leader of our North Lakes team. Alecia has practised exclusively in family and de facto relationship law for seven years following her admission in 2011.

Tina is an Associate in Best Wilson Buckley’s North Lakes office. Since being admitted in 2007, Tina has practised in both commercial and family law in firms across Queensland. Her commercial background has allowed her to develop a thorough understanding of complex and high net-worth property settlement matters involving family trusts and corporate restructuring.

Katherine Marshall is a Senior Solicitor at Best Wilson Buckley in the firm’s Toowoomba office. Katherine has returned to family law after practicing for a number of years in commercial litigation building and construction law and estate planning and a brief period in corporate law and personal injury law.

Teigan Jones holds a Bachelor of Law (Hons) and a Bachelor of Business from Griffith University. In recognition for her high achievements in family law she was awarded the Griffith University Academic Excellence Award for Family Law in 2009.

Samantha Iwers is a Senior Solicitor with Best Wilson Buckley Family Law. She holds a Bachelor of Law (Hons) from the University of Southern Queensland and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the College of Law. Samantha is currently studying a Masters of Applied Law (Family Law) program.

Jo is our in-house Estate Planning Lawyer and works with our family lawyers to review our client’s estate planning in the context of their family law matters and future pathways.

Carla Franchina is a Senior Solicitor in Best Wilson Buckley Family Law’s Brisbane office. Following her admission to practise law in 2013, Carla has practised exclusively in family law within specialised firms in Brisbane. A desire to guide clients through a difficult time by delivering expert service and advice is Carla’s motivation in family law.

John Patterson is a Solicitor with BWB in the firm’s Brisbane office. John was admitted to practise law in 2014 and holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Business (Economics) as well as his Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice.

Kirsten is a Solicitor in Best Wilson Buckley’s Toowoomba office. Kirsten has been drawn to working with people and helping them resolve challenges in their personal lives ever since her admission to practice in 2006. Her background in family law and the Victims Compensation Scheme has seen Kirsten work across a variety of different matters including domestic and family violence, child sexual abuse, and physical and sexual assault.

Max Sutton is a Solicitor in the firm’s Toowoomba office. He is now responsible for all Applications for Divorce in the firm’s Toowoomba office in addition to working closely with Andrew McCormack whilst learning the ropes.

Max joined BWB in 2014 as a member of the administrative team bringing with him prior experience in legal administrative support marketing and client support. In mid-2016 he took on the role as Office Manager overseeing the day-to-day operations of the firms’ Toowoomba Brisbane and Ipswich offices.

Kiara is a Paralegal/Graduate Solicitor in the firm’s Ipswich office working with Amity Anderson. Kiara holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Journalism from Bond University and was admitted to legal practice in 2017.

Tammy Wright provides top level Paralegal support to Kara Best joining the firm in 2014. With extensive legal industry experience across family law, dispute resolution, wills and estate planning, succession planning, estate administration and companies and trusts. Tammy is also a JP.

Jessica is a Paralegal in our Toowoomba office working primarily with Lynn Armstrong. With over five years’ experience as a Paralegal in the area of family law, Jess brings with her a caring and personable approach to supporting and working with clients, hoping to relieve their stress and assisting them through what can be a difficult time during their lives

Jodie Handley is a Paralegal in the firm’s Toowoomba office working with Neal Wood. With over seven years’ as a Paralegal working in the areas of criminal wills and estate planning commercial law and litigation Jodie has experience on her side. Having recently joined the family law fraternity Jodie’s knack for brightening people’s day and a genuine interest in their story are motivators for joining the BWB team.

Christiane was admitted to practice in 2018, having graduated from Griffith University with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Psychological Science in 2017. With this combination of qualifications, Christiane has become particularly effective in understanding and being sensitive to the complex emotions that often accompany family law matters.

Jessica has over 10 years’ of paralegal experience working primarily in property law before making the switch to family law. Jessica’s property background allowed for a smooth transition across to family law and she is particularly effective in understanding property settlement matters. Jessica enjoys being a part of the Best Wilson Buckley Family Law team and assisting people and their families through a difficult time.

Katie started with Best Wilson Buckley in 2010 and enjoys being a part of such a passionate and diverse team that strives to achieve excellent outcomes for their clients. In addition to her Paralegal role, Katie also provides reception and administrative assistance across the office.

Courtney is a Paralegal in the Toowoomba Office supporting all Solicitor and Paralegal teams as required. Courtney also provides support to our General Manager and Accounts team in her role as Finance Officer. Courtney joined the team in 2018 bringing with her prior paralegal and accounting experience across a number of different law firms and accounting firms.

Hillary is a Paralegal in the firm’s Brisbane office, providing support to both Carla Franchina and John Patterson. Hillary was admitted to practice in 2017, having graduated from QUT in 2016 with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Business (Distinction).

Mikaela is a Paralegal in our Brisbane office working with Zoe Adams and Teigan Jones. Mikaela has experience in a number of fields including aviation, engineering, legal, and radio, but returned to the world of family law when she joined our team in late 2018.

Zoe is based in our Ipswich office and works as our Settlements Clerk and Estate Planning Paralegal. Zoe works with most of our clients right across our four office locations to help tidy up those vital loose ends when it comes to separation and divorce.

Lauren Kruger is a Paralegal in Best Wilson Buckley’s Ipswich office, working primarily with Amity Anderson and John Patterson. Lauren has nearly 15 years’ of legal support experience in insurance law, litigation, and now family law.

Samantha is a Paralegal in our North Lakes office working primarily with Alecia Connor. Samantha was admitted to practise Law in 2017, having graduated from the University of Queensland with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Business Management (Human Resources Major) in 2016.

Emma is a Paralegal in our North Lakes office working with both Linda Cannings and Tina Reynolds. Emma joined the team in late-2018 bringing with her a wealth of experience. With a Bachelor of Laws from the University of the Sunshine Coast, two family members that practice in family law, and work experience in law firms dating back to 2013, Emma provides a high level of support to our North Lakes team and their clients.

Jennifer Ryder is the General Manager at Best Wilson Buckley Family Law. Jennifer joined Best Wilson Buckley Family Law in February 2014. Bringing with her general management experience in the health and financial services industries, Jennifer is excited to grow and develop Best Wilson Buckley as a unique family law firm, while maintaining the commitment to superior family law service delivery that has always been at the core of the firm.

Leandra Herberts joined Best Wilson Buckley Family Law as Operations Manager in September 2017. Having predominantly worked across Local Government and professional services industries, Leandra brings extensive experience in human resources and business operations. With a passion for innovation, leadership and engagement, Leandra is excited to join our growing and evolving business to deliver exceptional service to our clients and their families.

Madeline is Best Wilson Buckley’s Office Administrator and is based in our Brisbane Office. Her contributions to the firm are crucial in keeping operations running smoothly so that our legal team can focus their energies on what matters most, the wellbeing of our clients and their family.

Liz Griffiths is the Accounts Manager at Best Wilson Buckley Family Law, managing client and firm accounts functions. With an extensive background in financial administration Liz has been with BWB since early 2014, bringing a breadth of knowledge to the firm from across private enterprise, including six years in the legal industry, as well as the public service and not-for-profit organisations.

Esther has nearly 15 years of experience in law firms throughout Toowoomba and the Sunshine Coast and brings to Best Wilson Buckley a wealth of knowledge in client servicing. Esther was previously a part of our Reception team before transitioning to Accounts, and her day-to-day tasks are crucial in ensuring that client ledgers are accurate at all times.

Jessica is new to the world of family law having joined the team in early 2018. Jessica brings with her an extensive background of administrative support and her duties are crucial in ensuring the smooth day-to-day operations in our firm’s busy head office. Jessica enjoys being a part of the Best Wilson Buckley team and the opportunity it allows her to interact with colleagues and clients alike.

Joan has over 10 years of administrative and secretarial support experience working in both law firms and with the Department of Education. Joan enjoys being a part of a busy team and her hard-working nature allows her to provide a high level of support to all Solicitor and Paralegal teams in the Toowoomba office.

Kate has nearly 12 years’ experience working in law firms having previously worked in the UK as a Conveyancing Secretary in a number of firms. Kate’s friendly, bubbly and approachable nature allows her to build strong relationships with clients and colleagues. Kate also provides transcription support to all Solicitors at Best Wilson Buckley.

Cassandra is one of the friendly and reassuring voices you will hear on the other end of the phone when making contact with Best Wilson Buckley’s Toowoomba office. In addition to her role on Reception, Cass also provides transcription support for our legal practitioners as well as using her high attention to detail to assist with the production of Crossroads, our free quarterly family law publication.

Tricia Coleman is a Receptionist in our Toowoomba office.

Trang is the Administration Officer for our Brisbane team. Trang joined the team in mid-2018 and provides administration and reception support to our Brisbane team of lawyers and support staff.

Aimee Battaglene is an Administration Assistant in the firm’s Ipswich office. Aimee is an Ipswich local and joined the team in early 2018 to provide reception and administrative support to the office.

Joy has been working in law firms for nearly 40 years, including the 11 years she spent as a Judicial Associate to Her Honour Justice Flohm (now retired) in the Parramatta Registry of the Family Court of Australia. Joy is the friendly face you will see on the front desk in our North Lakes office, and she considers it a privilege to work in family law and assist people who are going through this very challenging and emotional time in their lives.