Professional Profiles
Therese Tonkin, Principal Cost Lawyer
Therese Tonkin has been a solicitor since being admitted in 1998 in Queensland. After admission Therese moved to Victoria in 1998 where she engaged in a private commercial practice before moving into the specialised area of legal costs. Since 2001 Therese has successfully conducted her own practice located in the heart of Melbourne’s legal precinct. Therese’s client base included an array of the top tier Melbourne firms, interstate government bodies as well as boutique practices.
During her time in Melbourne Therese was engaged as cost consultant on the panel for the Law Institute of Victoria. Therese was further appointed as Cost Lawyer for the ACT government Solicitor which necessarily entailed interstate appearance work in the Supreme Court of the ACT. From 2001 through to 2005 Therese was further engaged as a sessional lecturer in legal costs for the Leo Cussens institute in Melbourne.
Therese has regularly appeared in the taxing jurisdictions of the Supreme County and Magistrates Courts of Victoria, the Supreme Court of Queensland, the Supreme Court of the ACT as well as the Federal Court jurisdictions.
Prior to specialising in legal costing, Therese worked in general and commercial legal practices undertaking general practice, commercial and litigious work. Therese has also successfully completed the Scotwork Negotiation Skills workshop.
Therese now resides and has set up her practice in Brisbane, Queensland servicing local, intrastate and interstate law firms.
Qualificatons:
Solicitor, Supreme Court Queensland
Solicitor, Supreme Court Victoria
Solicitor, High Court Australia
Bachelor of Laws, University of New England 1996
Bachelor of Arts, University of New England 1996
Admitted to Practice:
Supreme Court of Queensland (1998)
Supreme Court of Victoria (1998)
High Court of Australia (1998)
Legal Costing Skills and Experience
Therese Tonkin has particular experience in litigation and the strategic planning and managment of litigation matters. During her legal career, Therese has developed a broad range of skills including the ability to:
Analyse legal issue in light of the law, the direction where the law is headed and relevant policy considerations;
Communicate effectivley, in a clear and precise manner;
Advocate on behalf of clients and in accordance with the instructions of clients;
Counsel clients in relation to the theoretical and practical application of the law;
Develop strong and trusted relationships with colleagues and clients alike;
Interpret complex legal issues in the context of a client's business; and
Negotiate effectively
Therese’s legal experience has broadly included the following:-
Advocacy & appearance on contested matters in varying jurisdictions but particularly in the area of taxation of legal costs, security for costs and interlocutory applications;
Successfully resolving costing disputes where there was significant cost exposure to the client;
Advices regarding applicaton of law in relation to particular legal issues or more general advice as to prospects; delivered in conference and by telephone;
Preparation Court documents including affidavits, summonses, general forms or orders and terms of settlement for filing in court
Negotiation of settlements and disputes;
General commercial work such as property, leasing and conveyancing, wills and estates;
Family law work;
Preparation of litigation matters including briefs/documents to counsel;
Lecturer/legal workshop presenter.
Membships and Associations:
Queensland Law Society
Morningside Australian Rules Football Club
Sunshine Coast Law Association
Sunshine Coast Hockey Association
Court Appointed Costs Assessors (QLD)
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