Who We Are

Who We Are

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Dean Evans - Partner - Evans & Company Family Lawyers

Dean Evans

Partner

Dean Evans is a Partner at Evans Brandon Family Lawyers and a Queensland Law Society Accredited Family Law Specialist. He was admitted as a Solicitor in 1995 and founded the Firm Evans Brandon Family Lawyers in 1998. Dean became a Queensland Law Society Accredited Specialist in Family Law in 2001.

Dean is consistently awarded the highest recognition by legal benchmarking organisation Doyle’s Guide as a ‘Preeminent Lawyer’ for those practising family law on the Gold Coast.  He received specific recognition for his expertise in both High Value Complex Property Matters and Parenting and Children Matters.

Dean is a long term local of the Gold Coast. He attended The Southport School and Bond University. Since establishing the Firm, Dean has mentored a number of new Family Law practitioners, the majority of whom have gone on to become Queensland Law Society Accredited Specialists in Family Law.

Dean’s professional reputation means he is often referred more difficult matters by other legal practitioners and professional advisors, whether a complex financial matter or a parenting matter involving allegations of abuse.

Dean maintains ties with Bond University and has been asked on a number of occasions to be a guest lecturer to current students studying family law.

Dean is the President of the Gold Coast District Law Association and in that role advocates for legislative change and increased funding to benefit Gold Coast families, particularly those having to traverse the family law system.


Luke Brandon Partner at Evans and Company Family Lawyers

Luke Brandon

Partner

Luke commenced his legal career at the Firm in 2004 and made Partner in 2011.

Luke grew up on the Gold Coast attending All Saints Anglican School before completing his undergraduate degrees in Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws at the Queensland University of Technology.  Luke remains connected with and supportive of both these educational institutions including providing mentoring and career guidance to current students and graduates.  Luke also supports the local Gold Coast legal community, particularly those practising in family law, where he presents at conferences and attends events.

In 2011 Luke won the Highest Achiever Award from the Chief Justice for the Family Law Accredited Specialist program.

Legal benchmarking organisation Doyle’s Guide has consistently awarded Luke the highest possible ranking as a ‘Preeminent Lawyer’ in their Leading Family and Divorce Lawyers Gold Coast   From 2019 Doyle’s Guide recognised those lawyers who not only hold expertise generally in family law matters but also for their ability and track record in matters where the contested net asset pool is significant or there are complex commercial, property, estate planning and taxation matters that need to be taken in to account as part of the overall resolution process and otherwise have particular expertise in preparing Binding Financial Agreements for individuals and families with significant net worth.  Luke, since the inception of this category, has been named  in this High Value and Complex Property Matters category.  Luke is also recognised for his work in Complex Parenting Disputes.

Luke’s  credentials are also evidenced by the fact that a vast majority of his work comes from former clients who have commended him to their family, friends and colleagues who find themselves in need of a family lawyer.

Luke is a solution focused practitioner and although he is well recognised as among the best family law litigators in the region, he strongly believes the best solution for clients lies in being able to reach agreement out of Court.  Luke is always available to his clients and ensures that they are kept up to date throughout the course of their matter and he takes the time to explain to his clients the processes and what to expect.  Luke is known by his clients as a frank and honest lawyer who is always looking out for their interests.


Fiona Browne - Associate - Evans & Company Family Lawyers

Fiona Browne

Associate

Fiona Browne grew up on the Gold Coast and attended Star of the Sea College and Bond University.  She was admitted as a Solicitor in 1997.

Fiona has been employed with Evans Brandon Family Lawyers since 2002 and is experienced in parenting and property matters.  In 2015 Fiona successfully completed her Master of Applied Law (Family Law).

Legal benchmarking organisation Doyle’s Guide identifies Fiona as a ‘Recommended Lawyer’ in their Leading Family and Divorce Lawyer, Gold Coast category as well a ‘Recommended Lawyer‘ in parenting law, due to her expertise, abilities and experience in Complex Parenting/Child Custody Issues and Disputes.


Guy Neilson

Solicitor

Guy Neilson is a Solicitor at Evans Brandon Family Lawyers.

Guy attended Brisbane Boys College (on academic scholarship) before completing his Bachelor of Laws with Honours and a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in international relations and political science at the University of Queensland.  In 2013, during a United States study period, Guy was awarded the ‘Cali’ Family Law Award for the highest grade at the University of Richmond.  Guy was also awarded a Dean’s Commendation for High Achievement from the Faculty of Arts in 2009 and 2010 at the University of Queensland.

Guy was named as a Queensland Rising Star 2021 and 2022 in Family Law by the renowned Doyles Guide.  Doyles describes a Rising Star as those Solicitors practising across Family, Divorce, Parenting and Matrimonial matters within the Queensland legal marked who operate with an extremely high level of professionalism and ability.

Guy’s particular interests include child support disputes.  Guy has been involved in a number of matters which have been litigated in the Family Court and Federal Circuit Court concerning child support departure and enforcement of child support arrears.  Guy is also able to assist with child maintenance matters, including the provision of support for adult children.

Guy is also the Treasurer of the Gold Coast District Law Association and in that role advocates for legislative change and increased funding to benefit Gold Coast families, particularly those having to traverse the family law system.


Ryan Lamplough

Solicitor

Ryan is a local to South East Queensland having completed his secondary and tertiary education in Brisbane prior to relocating down the M1 to join the Evans Brandon Team on the Gold Coast.

Ryan has undergraduate degrees in both Behavioural Science and Laws (Honours) from UQ and QUT respectively.  This background provides Ryan with a unique insight and skill set which is particularly useful in the practice of family law.

Ryan is energetic and passionate about his career and strives hard to assist all clients of the Firm.  Ryan works closely with Partner Dean Evans.

Outside of work, Ryan is taking full advantage of his new life on the Gold Coast.

 


Lisa Neubert

Solicitor

Lisa grew up in Sydney and moved to the Gold Coast before attending Griffith University.  Whilst completing her Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of International Business, Lisa was the Editor in Chief of the Griffith Journal of Law and Human Dignity.  Lisa was admitted as a Solicitor in October 2021 and has become a valuable member of the Evans Brandon Team.  Having volunteered in community legal centres on the Gold Coast and in Brisbane, Lisa is dedicated to helping others.  Lisa is compassionate and values hard-work to assist clients with their unique family law matters.


Niamh O'Dowd

Solicitor

Niamh Odowd family lawyer

Niamh grew up on the Gold Coast, having attended St Hilda’s School.

Upon returning to the Gold Coast after living in Brisbane, Dublin, London and Sydney, Niamh embarked upon a new career path and was offered an academic scholarship to study Law at Bond University. She completed her Law degree with Honours, majoring in Alternate Dispute Resolution and was awarded multiple academic excellence awards.

In 2016 Niamh joined the firm and achieved admission to both the Queensland Supreme Court and the High Court of Australia. 

Bringing to practice real life experiences as a parent and successful business owner, Niamh adopts a practical, candid and empathetic approach with clients.

Niamh has a particular interest in matters involving parenting and domestic violence issues.


Anne Allen Office Manager - Evans & Company Family Lawyers

Anne Allen

Office Manager

Anne has been working with Evans Brandon Family Lawyers for the last 16 years. She has a wealth of experience having previously worked as the Chief Financial Controller for a large multi-national firm. She ensures quality control is maintained on behalf of the firm and compliance with all Queensland Law Society requirements.

She also manages the support staff to ensure that Evans Brandon Family Lawyers remains a cohesive and effective working team. She has close ties with Queensland Law Society and has undertaken studies in Practice Management to further her knowledge and has acted as a guest lecturer for Griffith University Business School