Preston Law has worked out of Spence Street since 1991 and calls itself one of the largest firms in regional Queensland. It is the broadest option on this list for everyday matters. Separate teams cover family law, wills and estates, conveyancing, traffic and criminal charges, employment and injury claims, and there is a business side for commercial work and litigation. Partners Michael Laycock and Nick Hay lead wills and estates, and Rochelle Ryan is a family law partner. It suits households that want one local firm for most things.
Founded in 1991
Also worth knowing
Rochelle Ryan is listed as a partner in the family law team.
Lawyers
Michael Laycock, Partner, Wills and Estates
Nick Hay, Partner, Wills and Estates
Zac Middleton-Pol, Senior Associate, Wills and Estates
Family law first consultations are about an hour at a fixed fee, according to the firm. Ask about terms for other matters.
Office
Level 1, 14 to 16 McLeod Street, Cairns QLD 4870
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Miller Harris has been in Cairns since 1990 and runs a second office in Mareeba for Tablelands clients. Seven partners lead a team of more than 25 people, the firm says. Its personal side covers wills, probate, estate disputes, family law, conveyancing, retirement village contracts and bankruptcy, while the business side handles commercial work, leasing and disputes. According to the firm, two partners are Queensland Law Society accredited specialists, in business law and property law. It suits people with property or a small business as well as family or estate matters.
Founded in 1990
Also worth knowing
Its personal services include retirement village contracts and bankruptcy advice as well as wills and family law.
Lawyers
Rowan Wilson, Partner
Lauren Doktor, Partner
Manuela Marini, Partner, Family Law
Tim McGrath, Partner
Sean Walsh, Partner, Accredited Specialist in Business Law Accredited specialist
Nigel Hales, Partner, Accredited Specialist in Property Law Accredited specialist
Contact the firm to ask about first consultation terms.
Office
123 Sheridan Street, Cairns QLD 4870
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
WGC has been advising Cairns clients for more than 50 years, the firm says, from an office on Sheridan Street. It is organised into teams with named directors. Eddy Lago leads family law and is a QLS accredited specialist in family law, according to the firm. Jacquie Lee Long heads wills and estates, and Michael Huelin and Graham Dutton run property and commercial work. It also handles disputes, employment, insolvency and building matters, but doesn't list criminal or traffic work. It suits people who want an established local firm for property, estates or a separation.
Serving Cairns for more than 50 years, according to the firm
Also worth knowing
It won the Cairns Chamber of Commerce People Management Excellence Award in 2024, according to its site.
Lawyers
Eddy Lago, Director, Family Law Accredited specialist
Kelly Whitten, Family Law
Jacquie Lee Long, Director, Wills and Estates
Michael Huelin, Director, Property Law
Graham Dutton, Director, Property and Commercial Law
Murray & Lyons traces its history to 1899, when Charles Lilley started practising in Cairns, which makes it one of the oldest names in town. It is a small partnership. Chris Wright, a partner since 1987, runs the family law practice and is an accredited family law specialist, the firm says. Martin Treston handles property, business sales, wills, estates and estate disputes, with a particular interest in rural and farming families. It also does civil disputes, debt recovery and injury claims. It suits locals who want a long standing firm with partners doing the work.
History dating to 1899, trading as Murray & Lyons since 1934
Also worth knowing
Its civil litigation work includes debt recovery, contract disputes and contested probate.
Lawyers
Chris Wright, Partner, Family Law Accredited specialist
Martin Treston, Partner, property, commercial, wills and estates
Obligation free quotes for some services, according to the firm.
Office
First Floor, Marino's Arcade, 70 Grafton Street, Cairns QLD 4870
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Marino Lawyers was set up in 1988 as Marino and Smith and now has the widest office network of any firm here, with Cairns, Edmonton, Port Douglas, Innisfail and Babinda. Founder Charlie Marino stayed on as a consultant after selling in 2021, and Latisha Cali and Jarod Fuller are the directors. Its work centres on property and conveyancing, wills and estates, probate and family provision claims, commercial law and planning matters, plus traffic pleas and work licence applications. It suits buyers, sellers and estate executors from the southern suburbs to the Douglas Shire.
Founded in 1988
Also worth knowing
Its succession work includes probate, transmission applications and family provision claims.
Lawyers
Latisha Cali, Legal Practitioner Director
Jarod Fuller, Legal Practitioner Director
Charlie Marino, Consultant, founder
Nikki Townson, Senior Conveyancer
Megan Langford, Conveyancer
Areas of solicitors law handled
Residential conveyancing
Commercial conveyancing
Property law
Wills and powers of attorney
Advance health directives
Estate administration and probate
Family provision claims
Commercial law
Planning and environment
Traffic offences and work licences
Office
First Floor, Marino's Arcade, 70 Grafton Street, Cairns QLD 4870
Other details
Other offices
Edmonton, Port Douglas, Innisfail, and Babinda by appointment
Contact the firm to ask about first consultation terms.
Office
Level 1, 59 Spence Street, Cairns City QLD 4870
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
O'Reilly Stevens has been in Cairns for almost 40 years, the firm says, and splits its work into two divisions. Director Jacqueline O'Reilly runs the criminal side, covering charges and traffic matters in Cairns and Mareeba courts. Director Thomas Stevens leads commercial, business and property work, alongside conveyancing, wills and estates. A trade marks attorney on staff handles intellectual property, and there is a notary public. It doesn't advertise family law. It suits people with a traffic charge as well as property owners and small businesses.
In Cairns for almost 40 years, according to the firm
Also worth knowing
It offers free safe custody of wills and documents, according to its site.
Lawyers
Jacqueline O'Reilly, Director, Criminal Law Division
Thomas Stevens, Director, Commercial, Business and Property Law
Natasha Jackson, Associate, Criminal Law
Taylor Pinder, Solicitor, Criminal Law
Susan Willie, Solicitor, Commercial, Business and Property Law
Dale Treanor, Consultant Solicitor and Notary Public
Kim Cousins-Smith, Special Counsel, Intellectual Property
Paid first consultation at a fixed fee, in person, by phone or by video, according to the firm.
Office
Suite 21B, 36 Grafton Street, Cairns QLD 4870
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Reaston Drummond Law formed in 2016 when Reaston Law merged with NQ Family Law Centre, and it also trades as Cairns Family and Commercial Lawyers. Directors Bev Reaston and Deanne Drummond run the family side, with more than 68 years of combined experience, the firm says. Jim Reaston handles conveyancing, wills, estates and commercial work after more than 43 years in practice. It suits people going through a separation who may also need to sell a home or update a will.
Formed in 2016 through a merger
Also worth knowing
It says it discusses costs with each client at the outset.
Lawyers
Bev Reaston, Director, Family Law
Deanne Drummond, Director, Family Law
Jim Reaston, Director, Commercial, Conveyancing, Wills and Estates
Contact the firm to ask about first consultation terms.
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Farrellys goes back to 1962, when Laurie Farrelly moved up from Townsville and opened a sole practice in Cairns. Today it is a small office led by principal Clem Taft, with lawyer and migration agent Nick Taft and a conveyancer. The work centres on buying and selling homes and businesses, commercial leases, retirement village contracts, wills and estates, plus immigration. It doesn't advertise family or criminal law. It suits home buyers, business owners and retirees who want a small office and a familiar face.
Founded in 1962
Also worth knowing
It also handles property transfers made under court orders.
Obligation free consultation with a Cairns lawyer, according to the firm.
Office
36 Abbott Street, Cairns QLD 4870
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Bottoms English, which brands itself BELAW, has practised in Cairns for more than 40 years, the firm says. Principal Daniel Chang speaks Mandarin and is also a registered migration agent, which helps Mandarin speaking clients and families dealing with visas. The firm covers conveyancing, wills and deceased estates, business and succession planning, insolvency and debt recovery, and migration. Special counsel Kirsten Lesina adds family, employment and civil litigation. Appointments are by arrangement. It suits business owners and migrant families who want a lawyer who speaks their language.
In Cairns for more than 40 years, according to the firm
Also worth knowing
Its services include insolvency and debt recovery as well as wills and conveyancing.
Lawyers
Daniel Chang, Principal, commercial and conveyancing
Kirsten Lesina, Special Counsel, family, employment and civil litigation
Firm details come from each firm's own website. Google ratings are shown as published on Google and don't set the order. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.
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How we compiled this list
We include firms with a Cairns office that take on the everyday matters people bring to a solicitor, such as wills and estates, conveyancing, family law, small business work, debts and disputes, and traffic and minor criminal matters. Most are general practices. Where a firm leans one way, such as towards family law or towards property and wills, the write-up says so. For each firm we read its own website in October 2026 and wrote the description ourselves. In Queensland, accredited specialists are recognised by the Queensland Law Society. We name an accredited specialist where the firm's own site names the lawyer and the area, and we say the claim comes from the firm. You can confirm a name on the QLS Register of Solicitors. Consultation and fee terms are as the firm describes them, so confirm them when you call. We show Google ratings with the date we checked them.
Some firms pay for a featured listing, which affects where they appear on this page. Payment doesn't buy the write-up. We write those ourselves, and firms don't get to edit them. If something here is out of date, let us know. There's more detail on how we rank law firms.
This page is general information, not legal advice. Rules are as published by the Legal Services Commission, the Queensland Law Society, Legal Aid Queensland, Queensland Public Trustee and Queensland Courts in October 2026. Costs disclosure thresholds are as set by the Legal Services Commission at that date.
Solicitor or barrister: who does what
Most people only ever deal with a solicitor. It's who you call about a will, selling a house, a separation or a letter of demand, and they carry the matter from the first meeting to the finish. The Queensland Law Society says solicitors have a right to appear in court, but they usually act for clients in the Magistrates Court and brief a barrister for the higher courts.
Solicitor
Barrister
Main job
Advises you and runs the matter day to day
Court advocacy, drafting court pleadings and writing specialist legal opinions
In court
Can appear, usually in the Magistrates Court
Usually briefed by your solicitor for the higher courts
Wills, contracts and conveyancing
Prepares them
Advises on wills and contracts but doesn't draw them up, and doesn't do conveyancing
How to find one
Queensland Law Society directory
Bar Association of Queensland
Queensland Law Society and Legal Services Commission, October 2026.
In Cairns, the Magistrates Court is on the ground floor of the courthouse at 5D Sheridan Street, and the District and Supreme Courts are on Level 3 of the same building. Cairns is one of Queensland's four main Supreme Court registries, with Brisbane, Townsville and Rockhampton. If your matter heads to one of the higher courts, your solicitor will usually brief a barrister. Complaints about barristers also go to the Legal Services Commission, which may pass them to the Bar Association of Queensland.
Checking a solicitor before you book
The Legal Services Commission, which handles complaints about Queensland lawyers, says to search for solicitors through the Queensland Law Society and for barristers through the Bar Association of Queensland. The QLS search is called Find a Solicitor, on its youandthelaw.com.au site.
Who's listed: solicitors in the directory must be full QLS members with an unrestricted practising certificate
What a listing shows: each solicitor can list up to three practice areas, so a general practice may do much more than its entry suggests. Ask the firm what it covers
Specialists: the QLS Register of Solicitors can be searched by practice area and location for accredited specialists. If a firm says a lawyer is a QLS accredited specialist, that's where to check
The Commission also points out that a lawyer can charge for a first consultation, and that you can speak to more than one lawyer before you choose. Its suggested questions: what are my options, what are my chances of getting the outcome I want, how much will you charge in total, could there be extra costs and might they change, what's the process, and how long will it take.
What it costs, and your right to an estimate
Solicitors can charge by the hour, a fixed fee for a set job, or another way. Whichever method they use, Queensland law says you should know the likely cost early, and the amount of detail you get depends on how big the bill is likely to be.
Likely legal costs (leaving out GST and disbursements)
What your lawyer must give you
$1,500 or less
No costs disclosure is required, though you can still ask how you'll be charged
More than $1,500, up to $3,000
Abbreviated or detailed disclosure. Abbreviated disclosure can be given in person or over the phone, but must be confirmed in writing as soon as practicable
More than $3,000
Detailed disclosure in writing, even if you've already had abbreviated disclosure
Legal Services Commission, October 2026.
When: before you retain the lawyer, or as soon as practicable after. If the costs change, the lawyer has to keep you informed
Abbreviated disclosure covers: the work to be done, how costs will be worked out (including whether a scale applies), an estimate of total legal costs and disbursements, and your rights, such as to negotiate, to get a bill, to ask for an itemised bill and to be told about substantial changes
Detailed disclosure adds: an estimate or range for the total and what might change it, how often you'll be billed, any uplift fee, interest on overdue amounts and who to contact about costs. If the matter may go to a court or tribunal, it must also estimate what you might recover if you win and what you might pay toward the other side's costs if you lose
If there's no disclosure: you don't have to pay until the costs have been assessed, and the firm can't sue you for them until then. The costs agreement may also be set aside, the assessor may reduce the costs, and the failure may be a conduct issue
An unfair costs agreement: you can apply to the Supreme Court or QCAT to set aside one that isn't fair and reasonable. Time limits apply
No win, no fee. In Queensland these are called conditional costs agreements. The Legal Services Commission says they must include a cooling off period of at least 5 business days, during which you can end the agreement in writing. Its guide says an uplift fee in a matter likely to go to court or a tribunal should be no more than 25% of the legal costs, leaving out disbursements. They can't be used in criminal matters or Family Law Act proceedings. Contingency fees, where the lawyer takes a share of what you win, are banned.
Disputing a bill or complaining about a solicitor
Queensland treats these as two separate problems. The Legal Services Commission deals with complaints about lawyers, but an argument over how much a bill should be goes to a costs assessment. Charging that is grossly excessive can still be a conduct matter for the Commission.
Your problem
Where it goes
The bill seems too high
Talk to the lawyer, then apply for a costs assessment: the Magistrates Court for a bill of $150,000 or less, the District Court up to $750,000 and the Supreme Court above that
The costs agreement isn't fair and reasonable
An application to the Supreme Court or QCAT to set it aside
How the lawyer behaved or handled your matter
A complaint to the Legal Services Commission
You want compensation for a lawyer's mistake
Not the Commission, which doesn't deal with negligence or award damages. Get independent legal advice
Costs assessments. Start with your lawyer, who should explain how the firm handles disagreements about costs. If that doesn't settle it, an independent assessor can review the charges.
Deadline: 12 months from the earliest of getting the bill, being asked to pay, or paying (where there was no bill or request). A late application is only dealt with at the court's or assessor's discretion
Is it binding? The Commission says an assessment only binds the lawyer if a court orders it, and suggests getting independent legal advice before you apply
Referral back: if the bill is cut by 15% or more, the assessor or court may refer the matter to the Commission. If the costs are grossly excessive, they must
Complaints. The Commission is the only body that receives and investigates complaints about Queensland lawyers and law practice employees, and about people practising law when they aren't entitled to. Making a complaint is free.
Contact: 1300 655 754 from outside Brisbane, or (07) 3564 7726, 9am to 4pm weekdays. Its office is at Level 30, 400 George Street, Brisbane
What it can do: it may informally help you and the lawyer agree on an outcome, but it can't decide the dispute or force a solution
Timeframes: the Commission aims to finish most investigations in 6 to 9 months, though its 2024 to 25 annual report shows they took about 23 months on average. If you disagree with a decision, you can ask in writing within 28 days for it to be reconsidered, and after that take a complaint about administrative error to the Queensland Ombudsman
When we checked in October 2026, the Commission's website said its services may be affected while it upgrades its case management system.
Picking the right solicitor in Cairns
A general practice takes on a spread of everyday work, so one office can write your will, act on your house purchase and check the lease for your shop. Most firms here are within a few blocks of each other in the city, on Spence, Grafton, Sheridan, Abbott and Lake Streets. Two reach further out: Marino Lawyers has offices at Edmonton, Port Douglas, Innisfail and Babinda, and Miller Harris has one in Mareeba. Some lean one way, and the write-ups say so. Reaston Drummond Law is led by family law, O'Reilly Stevens has a criminal and traffic division, and Farrellys and Marino centre on property and wills. For a serious criminal charge, a contested estate or a complex property settlement, look for a lawyer who does that work every day.
Find a Solicitor: the QLS calls it a free referral service, and some solicitors note that they take legal aid or no win, no fee work. Ask each firm about its fees. The QLS general line is 1300 367 757
Accredited specialists: the QLS recognises accredited specialists in 10 areas: business law, commercial litigation, criminal law, family law, immigration law, personal injuries, property law, succession law, taxation law and workplace relations. It accredits eight of these itself, and recognises immigration and taxation specialists accredited in New South Wales or Victoria. Specialists must spend at least 25% of their practice in the area and complete 15 CPD points a year, at least 10 of them in that area. On this list, Miller Harris says Sean Walsh is a QLS accredited specialist in business law and Nigel Hales in property law, and WGC says Eddy Lago is one in family law. Murray & Lyons describes Chris Wright as an accredited family law specialist without naming the body
Language: Bottoms English says principal Daniel Chang speaks Mandarin and is a registered migration agent. For an interpreter when calling Legal Aid Queensland, ring TIS on 13 14 50
When you ring, ask how they charge, whether the first meeting costs anything, and who will do the work. On this list, Bottoms English says it offers an obligation free consultation, Marino says it gives obligation free quotes for some services, and Reaston Drummond says its first consultation is paid at a fixed fee and can be in person, by phone or by video.
Free legal help in Cairns
Legal Aid Queensland and community legal centres help with some legal problems for free. Private solicitors charge for their work.
Legal Aid Queensland: 1300 65 11 88, 8.30am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday, not public holidays. Staff give general legal information and, for more serious problems, can arrange a legal advice session if you're eligible. It doesn't give legal advice by email, and calls from a mobile are likely to cost more than from a landline. The Cairns office is on Level 7 of the Citi Central Building, 46 to 48 Sheridan Street, (07) 4252 6800, weekdays 8.30am to 4.30pm
Other Legal Aid lines: the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Information Line on 1300 65 01 43, and the Youth Legal Advice Hotline on 1800 527 527. For an interpreter, call TIS on 13 14 50 and ask for Legal Aid Queensland on 1800 998 980
Wills: Queensland Public Trustee makes wills free of charge, including updates, whether or not you name it as executor, on 1300 360 044. An appointment takes about an hour, and it can store your original will. Legal Aid Queensland doesn't prepare, witness or advise on wills
Criminal court days: a free Legal Aid duty lawyer is available at most Queensland Magistrates Courts, and Legal Aid lists Cairns, Atherton, Cooktown, Innisfail, Mareeba and Mossman among them. Get there early and ask for the duty lawyer. They can usually help with a guilty plea in a less complex matter, an adjournment or bail. They don't help with traffic offences, a first or second drink or drug driving charge on its own (unless jail is likely), trials, committals or complex sentence hearings
Domestic violence orders: a free duty lawyer is at the Cairns Magistrates Court on Tuesdays, Wednesdays and Fridays. North Queensland Women's Legal Service helps women, and Legal Aid Queensland and Cairns Community Legal Centre help men, whether applying for an order or responding to one. Help is limited to the day your matter is in court
Family court days: Legal Aid Queensland holds regular family law duty lawyer sessions at the Cairns registry of the Federal Circuit and Family Court, Level 3, 94 to 104 Grafton Street, for people representing themselves who haven't had legal advice
Community legal centres: Cairns Community Legal Centre, 2nd Floor, Main Street Arcade, 82 Grafton Street, (07) 4031 7688 or 1800 062 608, helps people experiencing disadvantage who live in its area, with outreach to Innisfail, Atherton and Mareeba. North Queensland Women's Legal Service is at 130 McLeod Street, (07) 4033 5825. For other centres, the Legal Services Commission points people to the Community Legal Centres Queensland directory at clcq.org.au
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: ATSILS Cairns, 59 McLeod Street, (07) 4046 6400, helps with criminal, family and civil law
Cairns solicitors law: common questions
What's the difference between a solicitor and a barrister?
A solicitor advises you and runs your matter. They can appear in court, usually in the Magistrates Court, and brief a barrister when a case goes higher. The Queensland Law Society says barristers specialise in court advocacy, court pleadings and specialist legal opinions. They advise on wills and contracts but don't prepare them, and they don't do conveyancing.
How do I find or check a solicitor in Cairns?
The Legal Services Commission says to use the Queensland Law Society's Find a Solicitor directory on youandthelaw.com.au for solicitors, and the Bar Association of Queensland for barristers. To confirm that a lawyer is an accredited specialist, search the QLS Register of Solicitors by practice area and location.
Does my solicitor have to tell me what it will cost?
Yes, once legal costs are likely to be more than $1,500, leaving out GST and disbursements. From $1,500 to $3,000 the disclosure can be abbreviated, and if it's given verbally it has to be confirmed in writing. Over $3,000 it must be detailed and in writing. The lawyer also has to tell you if the costs change.
Will I pay for a first appointment?
You might. The Legal Services Commission says a lawyer can charge for a first consultation, so ask when you book. On this list, Bottoms English says it offers an obligation free consultation, and Reaston Drummond Law says its first consultation is paid at a fixed fee.
How do I challenge my solicitor's bill in Queensland?
Raise it with the lawyer first. If that doesn't work, apply for a costs assessment, which goes to the Magistrates Court if the bill is $150,000 or less. Apply within 12 months of the earliest of getting the bill, being asked to pay, or paying. A late application is only dealt with at the court's or assessor's discretion. The Legal Services Commission doesn't settle costs disputes, and it suggests independent legal advice before you apply.
Who do I complain to about a solicitor?
The Legal Services Commission, on 1300 655 754 from outside Brisbane or (07) 3564 7726, 9am to 4pm weekdays. Its office is at Level 30, 400 George Street, Brisbane. It's free. The Commission may help you and the lawyer reach an agreed outcome, but it can't impose one, and it doesn't handle negligence claims or award compensation.
Can I get free legal help in Cairns?
For some problems, yes. Legal Aid Queensland has a Cairns office at 46 to 48 Sheridan Street, (07) 4252 6800, and its statewide line is 1300 65 11 88. Cairns Community Legal Centre helps people experiencing disadvantage on 1800 062 608. Queensland Public Trustee makes wills free of charge on 1300 360 044, and free duty lawyers at the Cairns Magistrates Court help with guilty pleas in less complex matters, adjournments and bail.
General information only, not legal advice.
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