We Are Bayside Community Legal Service.
The East Brisbane region's only Community Legal Centre, helping Baysiders to resolve their legal matters since 1992.
Our Mission
Our mission is to provide accessible and high-quality legal assistance to empower our community through advocacy, education, and support to achieve fairness, justice, and equity.
Our Vision
Our vision is to help build a culturally safe, just and inclusive society that values difference and diversity, by providing free legal services, help and education to people in our local the community who are vulnerable or disadvantaged.
Our Values
- Accessibility: Ensuring legal services are inclusive, approachable, and available.
- Respect: Treating our clients, team, and community with dignity and empathy.
- Integrity: Upholding honesty, accountability, and ethical standards.
- Empowerment: Equipping our clients with the confidence to assert their rights.
- Collaboration: Building strong community connections to create a positive impact.
Meet The Team
Our Board
Michael Stubbins
President
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 17 years.
Margo Orbell
Vice President
Margo is an experienced and accredited mediator, with qualifications in Law, Dispute Resolution, and Justice (Intelligence), and professional experience across Family Relationship Centres, the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, legal negotiations, and academia. Margo brings both expertise and lived experience, and is passionate about helping families build conflict-free futures.
Hugh Bettinson
Secretary
Currently in his penultimate year of a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Business (Management), Hugh is a community-minded leader and governance professional dedicated to strengthening local services. He is a board member of several local community organisations and the Head of Media Relations for Joan Pease MP, Shadow Minister for Small Business, Customer Service & Open Data. Recognised by the Courier Mail as one of the Bayside’s Top Young People under 25, Hugh combines legal, business, and communications experience with a passion for social justice and community impact.
Clare Stanford
Board Member
Clare began her career in the health sector before practising as a medico-legal solicitor and later lecturing in health law for over a decade. She went on to hold senior executive roles in the university sector, including national appointments in Entrepreneurship and Innovation and as Chief Operating Officer, where she built strong connections between academia, industry, and community. Clare also served as CEO of an international not-for-profit association. She is currently an Adjunct Associate Professor (Industry) at UTS and serves on multiple boards.
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, particularly in family law and domestic violence matters. 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. Admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia in 2019, Hannah brings over eight years of pre-admission experience in specialist family law firms.
Peter Goodwin
Board Member
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 matters.
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.
Our Operations Team
Julianne Davies
Service Coordinator
Julianne (Julz) is a passionate community engagement professional dedicated to supporting the Bayside community. With extensive sales and management experience in international hotel brands and large-scale retail, Julz specialises in building strong partnerships, effectively coordinating operations, and driving innovative engagement strategies that bring our community together. With expertise in community liaison, marketing, and public relations, Julz thrives in a fast-paced environment. Her energy, flexibility, and genuine care for people ensures meaningful connections and positive outcomes across the community.
80+
Volunteers support
our organisation.
Meet some of our volunteers
Renelyn Green
Civil & Family Law Solicitor
With over 10 years of experience in the legal profession, Renelyn has a particular interest in personal injury, workers' compensation, insurance claims and dispute resolution.
Shelley Answerth
Civil Law Solicitor
With over 22 years of experience in the legal profession, Shelley specialises in personal injury and property law.
Peter Goodwin
Civil & Criminal Law Solicitor
With over 40 years of experience as a Solicitor and Barrister, Peter is widely experienced in criminal and family law, personal injury and succession law, real property law, trusts and commercial disputes.
Sean Kempel
Civil Law Solicitor
With over five years of experience in the legal profession, Sean specialises in family law.
John Walker
Succession Law Solicitor
With over 60 years of experience in the legal profession, John has a particular interest in wills, estates and elder abuse.
Let's be Transparent.
Access our annual reports and financial statements.