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We are excited to announce that Fox and Thomas has relocated its Brisbane office to Level 10, 15 Adelaide Street.Full details are available here:  Brisbane Office Relocation Notice 

Fox and Thomas was recently featured in the 2008/09 Summer Edition of the Australasian Law Management Journal.

In an article focussed on the success of small to medium firms Fox and Thomas was one of four firms from around Australia described as exemplifying “how smallish firms, do big things.”

Key factors in the success of the firms discussed included:

·         Knowing your market

Fox and Thomas is currently recruiting for a 3 to 5 year post admission lawyer.  Read more about the position here - 3 to 5 year PAE position ad

Fox and Thomas Conveyancing Manager Jo Thompson was recently awarded a Rotary Pride in Workmanship Award at a ceremony in Goondiwindi.  Jo was nominated for the award by the Directors of the firm in recognition of her success in her role, loyalty to the firm’s business and dedication to our clients’ best interests.  In preparing the nomination Director Kay Rhodes sought comments from some of the real estate agents Jo works with regularly.  Just a few of these comments were: “…she carries out the clients’ instructions to the letter, 100% each on every time.” “Jo is inspirational, but humble.” “…complete confidence in her professional advice and competency…” “Doing business with her is easy.” “I know the job will be done well, and she has a sense of humour that helps in the tough times…”

Kay said, “The enthusiasm of Jo’s co-workers and the agents she works with towards her nomination is a testament to how fitting this recognition truly is.”

Fox and Thomas is pleased to announce the appointment of Melissa Fitzpatrick as a director of the firm effective 1 July 2008.

Melissa’s practice is based in Brisbane where she started with the firm as an associate when that office opened in early 2007.  She has extensive experience in a wide variety of corporate services including business sales, corporate reconstructions and industrial relations.

As many of the firm’s existing clients broaden their operations beyond agribusinss, they are increasingly likely to benefit from the experience that Melissa brings to the firm.

Managing director Norman Fox said the appointment is recognition - not just of Melissa’s outstanding talent as a lawyer and her exceptional client service - but also the show of faith she made in joining a firm which at that time did not have a Brisbane presence.  “Eighteen months on and the office, now with 2 directors, 2 other solicitors and 3 support staff, has gone from strength to strength in attracting and retaining a wide variety of work”, Mr Fox said.

Melissa joins existing directors Norman Fox, Kay Rhodes, Michael Cowley and Paul Paxton-Hall.

Fox and Thomas made a strong showing in the recent Hell of the West Triathlon. Held in Goondiwindi during the hottest part of the year this triathlon is renowned as one of Australia’s toughest.

With 5 participants across three teams, including the “Fox and Thomas Legends”, the firm was proud to take part in what is one of Goondiwindi’s major annual events.

The team members, including two of the firm’s directors, involved were:

• 80km ride - Norman Fox and Paul Paxton-Hall
• 20km run - Melissa Fitzpatrick and Anna Hudson
• 2km swim - Dianna Henry

For more information on the Hell of the West click here http://www.hellofthewest.com

Click here to view photos.

As part of the Fox and Thomas commitment to working closely with other professional advisers we recently hosted a group of accountants and financial planners at a Law Australasia Special Interest Group conference.

This conference provides a rare opportunity for lawyers and accountants to discuss top legal and financial issues affecting their clients and to develop common ground from which to more efficiently and effectively serve their clients.

Topics discussed at this conference included:

• Taxation
• Family Law Essentials
• Estate Planning Essentials
• Strategies in superannuation
• Tax effective asset protection

Fox and Thomas guests at the event included Tim Herden and David Elder from Fox & Elder (Goondiwindi), Don McRae and Peter Nevell from WHK Camersons (Inverell) and Shane Curran from the Westwood Group (Brisbane).

This conference gave us the opportunity to discuss some of the key issues affecting our clients away from the pressure of the office environment. And by learning from each other we develop better working relationships that ultimately provide our clients with saving in time and money.”

David Elder, Partner, Fox & Elder

The conference was organised by Law Australasia, a national association of independent law firms who share information and expertise so that their clients benefit from the legal experience of more than 150 lawyers from across Australia and New Zealand.

The St George office of Fox and Thomas recently received the Rotary Balonne Shire Business Awards Excellence in Staff Development Award.

The award recognises the efforts of organisations who demonstrate investment in their staff through training and development.

St George Partner Michael Cowley said he was particularly pleased to receive the award for staff development as it provided some public recognition of the firm’s commitment to investing in training and developing its team members.

Michael said, “We should also recognise that while successful staff development is about providing training and growth opportunities it depends on having team members who are willing to accept those opportunities and challenges.”

“I would particularly like to recognise Candice Twiner who has accepted these challenges many times in the past and was a nominee for the Staff Member of the Year category within these awards.”

The Award was accepted by Michael Cowley at the annual presentation dinner which is a highlight of the social calendar for the St George and district business community.

The Brisbane office will be headed by new partner, Paul Paxton-Hall, who will be ably assisted by senior associate, Melissa Fitzpatrick. Paul has been practising in the commercial and property fields of the law for 27 years and will provide a great depth of expertise in our business services offering. Paul also brings with him a wealth of experience acting for a wide range of not-for-profit organisations including schools, charitable organisations, sporting bodies, professional associations, churches and hospitals.

Fox and Thomas is proud to announce the opening of our Brisbane city office at
North Quay. Having served the Goondiwindi and St George districts since the early 1900s, we are expanding to Brisbane in an effort to better resource our service to existing clients and broaden our overall service offerings to allow greater focus on business advisory services, business succession and estate planning, commercial property and other business services.

The Brisbane office will provide a convenient base for servicing clients who are diversifying from agribusiness or moving location closer the city. Read more