Geldard Sherrington Lawyers

Geldard Sherrington Lawyers is a law firm established in 2006 that serves the Hervey Bay community. Justin Geldard is the Principal Solicitor and established the firm in 2006. He was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia in 2000, and holds a double degree in Law and Banking (Business & Finance) from Queensland University of Technology (QUT). He takes a special interest in Succession Law (Wills, Estate Planning, Estate Litigation), Family Law, and Criminal Law, and serves as the Chairperson of Fraser Coast Community Enterprises, which operates the local Bendigo Bank branch.

Shani Mitchell is a Partner at the firm and was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia in 2016. She worked as a paralegal for six years before obtaining her Law degree from the University of Southern Queensland (USQ). She focuses on Family Law and Domestic Violence, serves as the Domestic Violence Duty Lawyer in Hervey Bay, offers free legal advice to clients of the Women’s Legal Service Queensland, and is a Board Member of the Hervey Bay Neighbourhood Centre and a Committee Member of both the Fraser Coast District Law Association and Yoorana Women’s Domestic Violence and Resource Service. Virginia Ukpabi is a Lawyer at the firm and specialises in Criminal Law.

She completed her Juris Doctor at Griffith University, received the Griffith Award for Academic Excellence, and obtained a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the College of Law. She was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia in early 2022, regularly provides Duty Lawyer services in Hervey Bay, appears in the District Court and Supreme Court on complex criminal matters, and undertakes matters funded both privately and by Legal Aid Queensland. The firm provides services in Family Law, Commercial Law, Criminal Law, Conveyancing, Domestic Violence, Wills, Estates & Succession Planning, and Personal Injuries.

Hervey Bay clients of Geldard Sherrington Lawyers describe a conveyancing and property practice that handles purchases and sales efficiently and without fuss. Several customers who bought or sold homes note that the paperwork was completed promptly once the right questions had been asked, and that settlement proceeded smoothly even where new legislation added complexity. Sophie and Summer are named repeatedly for their approachability, clear explanations and the way they keep people informed from instruction through to settlement.

Reviewers often mention that communication by phone and email was clear and that they never had to chase the firm for updates, a point that comes up often among those dealing with first purchases and long-running property portfolios. The practice also draws on broader experience across estate planning, family law, criminal justice, personal injury and real estate matters, and clients describe the wider team as organised, punctual and knowledgeable.

First-time buyers comment that the process was made easy to understand, while long-standing clients note that conveyancing instructions given to the firm run smoothly, with problems handled before they arise. Others highlight reasonable fees relative to the service received and a friendly, professional manner throughout every dealing. The recurring theme is a team that removes stress from property transactions and keeps clients confidently informed at each stage.