Ten Townsville firms for the everyday legal jobs, with what each one handles, where its offices are, and how costs, bills and complaints work in Queensland.
Google ratings checked 24 October 2026 · Updated 24 October 2026
Contact the firm to ask about first consultation terms.
Office
416 Flinders Street, Townsville QLD 4810
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Connolly Suthers says it has been working in North Queensland for more than 125 years. It runs from Flinders Street, with a second office in Ayr for Burdekin clients. The range is about as wide as a regional firm gets: wills and estates, home conveyancing, family law, business and employment work, debt recovery and contract disputes, plus traffic and criminal matters. The firm says Special Counsel Julie Bligh is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law (Qld). It suits people who want one local firm for most of life's legal jobs.
Founded in 1895
Also worth knowing
It has a second office in Ayr for Burdekin clients.
Lawyers
Tanya Morris, Partner, Family Law
Bo Ryan, Partner, Family Law
Julie Bligh, Special Counsel, Accredited Specialist in Family Law (Qld) Accredited specialist
Contact the firm to ask about first consultation terms.
Office
Level 1, 280 Flinders St, Townsville City QLD 4810
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Preston Law has worked in North Queensland since 1991 and runs its Townsville office from Flinders Street, with sister offices in Cairns and Brisbane. It is a large regional practice, and for everyday clients it covers family law, conveyancing, wills and estates, employment, traffic and criminal matters, along with business and commercial work and litigation. Named lawyers include Rose Davies in family law and Kylie Marxsen, who leads residential conveyancing in Townsville. It suits people who want a bigger firm with a team for each area.
Book a consultation by phone or online, and ask about first consultation terms when you do.
Office
369 Flinders Street, Townsville QLD 4810
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Mackey Wales Law is a Townsville only firm on Flinders Street that says it has built its name over more than 35 years. Three principals run it: Terry Fanning leads commercial and estate planning, Ross Greatrex covers business, property and family law, and Angela Fortt runs litigation and employment. Everyday work includes conveyancing, wills and estate administration, family law, small business advice and disputes, including debt recovery and contested estates. It has a large rural practice too, so it suits farming families as well as town clients.
Also worth knowing
Its estate planning team works with clients' accountants and financial planners, the firm says.
Lawyers
Terry Fanning, Principal, commercial law and estate planning
Ross Greatrex, Principal since 2007, commercial, property and family law
Angela Fortt, Principal, litigation and dispute resolution
Meetings in person or by video, according to the firm, which says it gives a written costs agreement before work starts. Contact the firm to ask about first consultation terms.
Office
150 Walker Street, Townsville City QLD 4810
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
CBC Lawyers, still branded Crosby Brosnan Creen on its logo, has been in Townsville since 1976 and is family owned. Michael Clive leads the commercial and property side and Sandra Clive heads litigation, which takes in family law and disputes. Day to day it handles wills and probate, home and rural conveyancing, family law, business setup and leasing, plus criminal defence. The office sits on Walker Street near the courthouse, and meetings can be in person or by video. It suits clients who like a family run practice.
Founded in 1976
Also worth knowing
Consultations are available in person or by video.
Lawyers
Michael Clive, Principal, commercial and property
Sandra Clive, Principal, litigation and family law
Areas of solicitors law handled
Wills and deceased estates
Probate
Estate planning and family trusts
Residential conveyancing
Commercial and rural conveyancing
Family law
Mediation
Business and company setup
Commercial leasing
Contract drafting
Litigation and disputes
Criminal defence
Office
150 Walker Street, Townsville City QLD 4810
Other details
Other offices
Serves Mount Isa, the Burdekin and Charters Towers (only Townsville address listed)
Lee Turnbull & Co is a general practice that Tony Lee and Doug Turnbull started in 1976. Both founders have since retired, and Cameron Turnbull is now principal, working with three senior associates. The firm covers the classic family solicitor mix: conveyancing, wills and estates, family law, commercial work and criminal law. It has a first floor office on Flinders Street and a second office in Charters Towers, and it says it takes clients from as far as Hughenden, Mount Isa and Cardwell. It suits regional clients as well as town clients.
Founded in 1976
Also worth knowing
It lists conveyancing, family, criminal, commercial, and wills and estates work.
Book through the website or by phone, and ask about first consultation terms. The firm says family law clients may be eligible for JustFund litigation funding.
Office
Level 1/69 Eyre Street, North Ward QLD 4810
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
NQ Legal merged into MobbsMarr Legal in June 2023, according to the firm, and NQ Legal's old site now points here. Jarrad Mobbs started the firm in 2016 after running a wills and estates practice at a national firm, and the firm says he is an Accredited Specialist in Succession Law (Qld). Principals Georgina Paterson and Allison Caputo work alongside him, with Allison leading family law. The firm covers wills and estate disputes, family law and mediation, conveyancing, small business work and debt collection. It suits people with an estate or family matter who want specialist depth in a local firm.
Founded in 2016 (absorbed NQ Legal in 2023)
Also worth knowing
It covers wills, family, property, business, litigation and mediation.
Donnie Harris Law is led by director Donnie Harris, who the firm says is an Accredited Specialist in Business Law (Qld), and its roots are in commercial work. It has grown into a fuller practice with eight lawyers listed, covering family law and mediation, home and commercial conveyancing, wills and estate planning, business disputes and employment law. The main office is on Sturt Street, with branches in Ingham and Cairns. It suits small business owners whose personal matters, like a separation or a will, overlap with the business.
Also worth knowing
It acts for both employers and employees in employment matters.
Lawyers
Donnie Harris, Director, Accredited Specialist in Business Law (Qld) Accredited specialist
Rayarna Richey, Senior Associate, Family Law
Courtney O'Brien, Associate, Property and Commercial Law
Adriane Bushby, Solicitor, Family Law
Alana Carbone, Solicitor, Residential Conveyancing
Purcell Taylor Lawyers is a Townsville firm on Flinders Street led by director Melody Cornish, who the firm says has been with it for more than 20 years and worked her way up from articled clerk. Founder Michael Purcell has returned as a consultant in family law. The firm calls itself practical and down to earth, and it handles wills and estates, conveyancing, commercial work, general litigation, criminal law and family law. It also runs a service for veterans and defence personnel, and it offers out of hours and out of office appointments on request.
Also worth knowing
Out of hours appointments are available on request.
Lawyers
Melody Cornish, Director
Michael Purcell, Consultant, Family Law
Stephanie Hardman, Senior Associate, Commercial Law
Contact the firm to ask about first consultation terms.
Office
Level 1/135 Sturt Street, Townsville QLD 4810
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Access Legal is a Sturt Street practice founded by managing partner Bradley Wilde, who works across wills and estates, family law and commercial litigation. Several senior Townsville practitioners sit alongside him, including Ross Feather, who the firm says ran his own firm for more than 30 years, and consultant Tim McKee, who ran his own practice for almost 40. Day to day the firm handles property sales and purchases, family law, wills, granny flat arrangements, small business work, traffic offences and court matters. It suits families planning ahead for an older parent, and small business owners.
Also worth knowing
The firm lists granny flat arrangements alongside property, wills and family law.
Lawyers
Bradley Wilde, Founding Partner and Managing Partner
Ross Feather, Lawyer, conveyancing, estates, traffic and criminal
Tim McKee, Consultant, business, rural, estate and succession planning
Contact the firm to ask about first consultation terms.
Office
71 Thuringowa Drive, Thuringowa QLD 4817
Full profile: lawyers, services and sources
About the firm
Rapid Legal Solutions started in 2009 and is led by principal John Windridge, who began his career doing general practice work in Charters Towers. Its general office is on Thuringowa Drive in Kirwan, handy for the northern suburbs, with a separate injury office in Aitkenvale and a branch in Charters Towers. The firm handles conveyancing, wills and powers of attorney, family law, business and commercial work, debt recovery, rural property, and criminal and traffic matters. It suits Kirwan and Thuringowa locals.
Founded in 2009
Also worth knowing
It lists conveyancing, wills, family, business, criminal and traffic work.
Lawyers
John Windridge, Principal Solicitor and Director
Areas of solicitors law handled
Residential conveyancing
Wills and enduring powers of attorney
Estate administration
Family law
Business law
Commercial law and property
Debt recovery and insolvency
Rural property and agribusiness
Criminal law
Traffic offences
Office
71 Thuringowa Drive, Thuringowa QLD 4817
Other details
Other offices
Aitkenvale injury office (246 Ross River Road), Charters Towers (46 Gill Street), Brisbane (Upper Mount Gravatt) and Gold Coast (Southport)
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 Townsville 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 business or rural clients, 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 only name an accredited specialist where the firm's own site gives the Queensland accredited specialist title, and 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
The solicitor is the lawyer most people deal with. You call them about a will, a house sale, a separation or a letter of demand, and they run the matter from start to finish. The Queensland Law Society says solicitors have the right to appear in court, but they mostly represent clients in the Magistrates Court and brief a barrister when a case goes to a higher court.
Solicitor
Barrister
Main job
Gives you advice and runs your matter day to day
Court advocacy, drafting court pleadings and writing specialist legal opinions
In court
Can appear, mostly 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 prepare them, and doesn't do conveyancing
Where to look
Queensland Law Society directory
Bar Association of Queensland
Queensland Law Society and Legal Services Commission, October 2026.
For a will, a contract or a house purchase in Kirwan or Annandale, a solicitor is where you start. If a dispute ends up in the District or Supreme Court, your solicitor will usually bring in a barrister. Complaints about barristers also go to the Legal Services Commission, which may refer them on to the Bar Association of Queensland.
Checking a solicitor before you book
The Legal Services Commission handles complaints about Queensland lawyers. It suggests searching for solicitors through the Queensland Law Society and for barristers through the Bar Association of Queensland. The QLS search is called Find a Solicitor and sits 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 far 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 to find an accredited specialist. If a firm tells you 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're free to talk to more than one lawyer before you choose. Its suggested questions are: 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 is 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 some other way. On this list, CBC Lawyers says it gives a written costs agreement before work starts and uses fixed fees where it can. However a firm charges, Queensland law says you should know the likely cost early, and the size of the likely bill decides how much detail you get.
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 by 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 must keep you informed
Abbreviated disclosure covers: the services, 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 could change it, how often you'll be billed, any uplift fee, interest on overdue amounts and who to talk to 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 have to 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, when 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, not counting 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 how lawyers behave, but an argument about the size of a bill 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
In Townsville, the Magistrates Court, the District Court and the Supreme Court registry are all at the courthouse at 31 Walker Street, (07) 4781 8600. The registry is open 8:30am to 4:30pm on Mondays and Wednesday to Friday, and 8:30am to 4pm on Tuesdays. Queensland Courts, October 2026.
Costs assessments. Begin with your lawyer, who should explain how the firm handles disagreements about costs. If that doesn't settle it, an independent assessor can look at 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 it 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 in Brisbane, at Level 30, 400 George Street
What it can do: it may informally help you and the lawyer agree on an outcome, but it can't decide the dispute or impose 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 Townsville
A general practice takes on a spread of everyday work, so one office can write your will, act on your house purchase and look over the lease for your shop. Most of the firms here are in the city on Flinders, Walker or Sturt Streets. MobbsMarr Legal is in North Ward and Rapid Legal Solutions is on Thuringowa Drive in Kirwan. Several have branches further out: Connolly Suthers in Ayr, MobbsMarr Legal and Donnie Harris Law in Ingham, Lee Turnbull & Co and Rapid Legal Solutions in Charters Towers, and MobbsMarr Legal in Bowen by appointment. A few lean one way, and we say so. Mackey Wales Law has a strong commercial, property and rural side, and Donnie Harris Law grew out of business work. 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 do 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, Connolly Suthers Lawyers says Julie Bligh is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law (Qld), MobbsMarr Legal says Jarrad Mobbs is an Accredited Specialist in Succession Law (Qld), and Donnie Harris Law says Donnie Harris is an Accredited Specialist in Business Law (Qld). You can check any name on the QLS register
Who does the work: at a bigger firm a partner may oversee your file while a solicitor or conveyancer handles it day to day. Ask who that will be
Former NQ Legal clients: NQ Legal merged into MobbsMarr Legal in June 2023, according to MobbsMarr
When you call, ask how they charge, whether the first meeting costs anything, and whether you can meet by phone or video. On this list, CBC Lawyers says it meets clients in person or by video, Purcell Taylor Lawyers says it offers out of hours and out of office appointments on request and runs a service for veterans and defence personnel, and most others don't publish their first meeting terms.
Free legal help in Townsville
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 Townsville office is on Level 4, Northern Securities Building, 22 Walker Street, (07) 4758 5300, 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: Legal Aid Queensland lists Townsville, Palm Island, Ayr, Ingham and Charters Towers among its criminal duty lawyer courts. Get there early and ask court staff for the duty lawyer. They can usually help with bail, an adjournment or a guilty plea in a less complex matter. They don't help with trials, committals, complex sentence hearings, domestic violence matters or traffic offences such as speeding, or with a first or second drink or drug driving charge unless jail is likely
Protection orders: Legal Aid Queensland's domestic violence duty lawyer is at the Townsville Magistrates Court on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays, for people applying for or responding to a protection order
Family court days: the Federal Circuit and Family Court registry is on Level 2, 143 Walker Street. Legal Aid Queensland's family law duty lawyer visits Townsville when the family court sits there, for people representing themselves who haven't had legal advice
Women: North Queensland Women's Legal Service, 1st Floor, 25 Sturt Street, (07) 4772 5400, gives free legal advice and support for women on 1800 244 504
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people: ATSILS Townsville, 12 to 20 Wills Street, (07) 4722 5111
Community legal centres: the Legal Services Commission points people to the Community Legal Centres Queensland directory, now at clcq.org.au
Townsville 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, mostly in the Magistrates Court, and bring in 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 Townsville?
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 by phone or in person it has to be confirmed in writing. Above $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, CBC Lawyers says it gives a written costs agreement before work starts.
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. A bill of $150,000 or less goes to the Magistrates Court, which in Townsville is at 31 Walker Street. 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. 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 Townsville?
For some problems, yes. Call Legal Aid Queensland on 1300 65 11 88 or visit its Townsville office at 22 Walker Street. Queensland Public Trustee makes wills free of charge on 1300 360 044. Free duty lawyers help on court days at the Townsville Magistrates Court with bail, adjournments and guilty pleas in less complex matters, and North Queensland Women's Legal Service helps women on 1800 244 504.
General information only, not legal advice.
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