OUR VISION
A Bayside community where everyone can access timely, quality legal assistance.
OUR PURPOSE
To provide accessible community legal assistance that helps people understand their rights
and take the next step toward resolving their legal issues.
OUR VALUES
Accessibility
We work to ensure legal assistance is available to vulnerable and disadvantaged people.
Integrity
We provide professional, ethical, accurate
and confidential services.
Respect
with dignity and understanding.
Collaboration
We work with our community to
achieve better outcomes.
Shelley Answerth - Solicitor
80+
Volunteers support
our organisation.
RENELYN GREEN
Pro Bono Solicitor
Criminal Law | Civil Law | Family Law
Renelyn is an experienced insurance and personal injuries lawyer with more than a decade of post-admission practice across Queensland and New South Wales. She brings deep expertise in workers’ compensation, public liability and CTP claims, and a strong interest in dispute resolution underpinned by postgraduate study in the field. At Hall & Wilcox, Renelyn combines her technical legal skills with practical insight from acting for both plaintiffs and defendants, enhancing her ability to support clients through complex legal processes. She generously volunteers her time with Bayside Community Legal Service, offering free civil, family and criminal law advice through regular phone and in-person appointments.
SEAN KEMPEL
Pro Bono Solicitor
Civil Law | Family Law
Sean is a lawyer at Hall & Wilcox, practicing in commercial litigation and dispute resolution. He has experience advising clients across a range of complex matters, with a strong focus on delivering strategic, solutions-oriented outcomes. Through his pro bono work with Bayside Community Legal Service, Sean contributes his legal expertise to support vulnerable and disadvantaged community members, assisting them to better understand their rights and navigate challenging legal issues with confidence.
SHELLEY ANSWERTH
Pro Bono Solicitor
Civil Law
Shelley is an experienced civil and personal injury lawyer with a strong focus on achieving practical, client-centred outcomes. She has extensive experience in personal injury litigation, including workplace injuries, public liability claims and motor vehicle accident matters. Shelley is known for her strategic approach, attention to detail and commitment to supporting clients through what are often complex and emotionally challenging legal processes. Her work reflects a genuine dedication to access to justice and ensuring clients feel informed, supported and empowered at every stage of their matter.
OUR BOARD
MICHAEL STUBBINS
President | Treasurer
Michael was admitted as a Solicitor in 1998 and worked for various government agencies over a long career, including the Department of Justice and Attorney-General, Department of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Policy and Queensland Corrective Services. Michael joined BCLS as a volunteer solicitor in 2000 and has been the BCLS President for 20 years.
HUGH BETTINSON
Vice President
Hugh has completed a Bachelor of Business (Management), and is currently in his penultimate year of a Bachelor of Laws (Honours). He is a board member of several local frontline community organisations, and is the Head of Media Relations for Joan Pease MP, Shadow Minister for Small Business, Customer Service & Open Data.
DANIELLE FORWARD
Board Member
Danielle is the Bayside Practice Leader of Australian Family Lawyers and has specialised exclusively in family law for over 10 years. Danielle holds a dual degree in Law and Justice from QUT and a Master of Laws (Family Law) from the College of Law. Admitted to practice in both the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia, Danielle is known for her empathetic and results-driven approach.
HANNAH ROBINSON
Board Member
Hannah is a dedicated family law solicitor with a strong commitment to supporting clients through challenging circumstances. She holds a Bachelor of Laws from Griffith University, a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from QUT, and a Master of Applied Law (Family Law) from the College of Law. Hannah is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia.
HEBA MIKHAIL
Board Member
Heba holds a Juris Doctor awarded with Class 1 Distinction from Bond University and a Bachelor of Business and Commerce from the University of Southern Queensland. She is passionate about criminal law, access to justice, legal services reform, and legal and financial education. Heba has volunteered across several community legal centres, supporting vulnerable and disadvantaged individuals. She is currently employed in the Criminal Law and Corporate Misconduct sector. Heba has extensive banking sector experience in dispute resolution, regulatory remediation, compliance, and lending.
EDWARD DE GRAAF
Board Member
Edward completed his Bachelor of Laws (Honours) at QUT in 2024 and has volunteered with Bayside Community Legal Service since 2021. He has a strong interest in family law and child protection, shaped by an international legal placement in Cambodia. Edward brings a structured, thoughtful approach to legal problem-solving and is deeply committed to supporting vulnerable individuals and promoting access to justice.
MARGO ORBELL
Secretary | Director of Mediation
Margo is a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner/Child Consultant and holds a Juris Doctor, Master of Justice (Intelligence), Grad Dip Theology and BA (Politics). Margo currently runs Olive Branch Mediation and has worked in FRCs, Department of Justice & Attorney-General, and as an academic. She has volunteered at Bayside since 2019.
CASEY COSSU
Board Member
Casey is a senior legal professional with a decade of experience across property, commercial and in-house legal roles in Queensland. Admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland, Casey has worked closely with executive teams, regulators and industry to deliver commercial legal advice. Casey has led governance and compliance initiatives and contributed to legislative reform through advocacy and parliamentary engagement.
SARAH MAWHINNEY
Board Member
Sarah Mawhinney is the Executive Director of the McKell Institute in Queensland, where she leads research, stakeholder engagement and policy development focused on delivering practical, evidence-based solutions to social and economic challenges. With more than 15 years’ experience across government, advocacy and organisational leadership, Sarah brings strong strategic insight and a deep commitment to strengthening institutions and improving outcomes for communities. Her work is centred on advancing fairness, economic opportunity and effective public policy reform.
NATALIE MORRIS
Board Member
Natalie is a senior lawyer with LawRight, a community legal centre dedicated to improving access to justice for vulnerable and disadvantaged Queenslanders. With extensive experience in civil litigation and pro bono practice, Natalie brings deep expertise in legal service delivery, governance and sector collaboration. She is passionate about strengthening community legal services and ensuring equitable access to justice across Queensland.
OUR OPERATIONS TEAM
JULIANNE DAVIES
Service Coordinator
Julianne is a passionate community engagement professional dedicated to supporting the Bayside community. With extensive management experience across five-star hospitality and publicly traded companies in the retail sector, Julz specialises in building strong partnerships, effectively coordinating operations, and driving innovative engagement strategies that bring our community together.
PETER GOODWIN
Special Counsel
Peter has over 40 years of practice experience as both a Solicitor and Barrister. He has worked across criminal, family, personal injury, succession, property, trusts, and commercial disputes. Peter has appeared in more than 1,000 hearings and trials and participated in over 1,500 mediations and settlement conferences. He brings particular expertise in workplace health and safety, compliance and risk management.
OUR REPORTING
Access our annual reports and important documents.