Lynette Lyons is an associate at WGC Lawyers in Cairns, practicing in commercial and property law.
Born and raised in the Far North, Lynette has spent her legal career working in Innisfail and Cairns. Lynette has developed a broad expertise across a range of practice areas while working in a general practice law firm. Lynette now focusses her practice on commercial and property law.
Lynette is the president of the Far North Queensland Law Association (FNQLA) and the North Queensland Law Association (NQLA) and is a committee member of the newly formed QLS Regional, Rural and Remote Committee. Lynette is passionate about regional practice, mentoring emerging practitioners, and strengthening access to professional support and opportunities for lawyers in the Far North.
Outside of work, Lynette balances her eventful social calendar with rewatching Gossip Girl and tracking down the perfect iced coffee.
Jessica Shuttleworth
Vice President
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Jessica Shuttleworth
Vice President
Jess has practiced predominantly in family and criminal law for more than 17 years, building a reputation as a skilled and compassionate advocate for her clients.
Jess currently serves as the Vice President of the NQLA and is a passionate supporter of the regional legal profession. She is committed to fostering professional development, strengthening connections across NQ and ensuring the Association continues to thrive.
Outside of law, Jess is an enthusiastic golfer. She spends her weekdays resolving disputes, and her weekends creating new ones with her golf swing.
Sarah Singh
Immediate Past President
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Sarah Singh
Immediate Past President
Sarah is a Townsville local who has lived and worked in North QLD her entire life. She is currently an Executive Practice Leader at Splatt Lawyers.
After studying law at James Cook University, where Sarah completed a dual degree in law and business (majoring in economics and regional development), she was admitted as a solicitor in 2012. Since then, she has practised law in the greater Townsville region and Far North Queensland.
Sarah is an active member of member local associations including Townsville District Law Association.
As a litigation lawyer, Sarah helps people understand their rights and how to navigate often complex Queensland compensation laws.
Sarah is the immediate past president of the NQLA, and says that while she enjoyed her time as president, she is disappointed she was unable to convince the committee that 7:30am meetings were unreasonable.
Dannielle Woodward
Treasurer
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Dannielle Woodward
Treasurer
Dannielle is a Senior Associate at Wallace & Wallace Lawyers, practicing primarily in commercial litigation, employment law and criminal law. She was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia in 2018.
A proud regional Queenslander, Dannielle has lived in the Bowen Basin and surrounding areas for more than 30 years. She is passionate about advocating for regional practitioners and creating opportunities for the North Queensland legal profession to connect and thrive.
Dannielle is a member of the Queensland Law Society, a committee member of the Mackay District Law Association, and has served on the North Queensland Law Association committee since 2021, including as president in 2025 and, most recently, Treasurer.
Outside of work, Dannielle enjoys collecting hobbies at a rate that should probably concern her friends and family. Current interests include music (she can play a number of instruments, and apparently, sings), tambor embroidery, painting... and occasionally remembering that she is, in fact, a lawyer.
Michael Murray
Secretary
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Michael Murray
Secretary
Michael was admitted as a solicitor in 2012 before being called to the bar in 2024. He practices from 31 Sturt Chambers and appears in a broad range of matters, although he would like this biography to note that he remains available for additional briefs.
Prior to being called to the Bar, Michael built a respected family and civil law practice and developed a reputation in complex inquiries and inquests. He has lectured at James Cook University and has held leadership roles across the profession, including as President of both the Townsville District Law Association and the North Queensland Law Association. In 2021, Michael received the Queensland Law Society Emerging Leader Award and, in 2026, was awarded Life Membership of the NQLA.
Michael is the NQLA Secretary, although his contribution to the committee's official record remains largely anecdotal.
Lorelei Billing
Committee Member - Townsville
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Lorelei Billing
Committee Member - Townsville
Lorelei is a Townsville based criminal lawyer with the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Legal Service (Qld). A proud Bundjalung and Quandamooka woman, she is committed to advancing justice for First Nations communities. Lorelei also lectures in Indigenous People and the Law at James Cook University and contributes to the profession through her roles as a director of Indigenous Lawyers Queensland. She is also passionate about contributing to the Townsville community and is the Secretary of the Garbutt Magpies and Garbutt Bombers Sporting & Cultural Associations.
Loz, as she is affectionately known, is rarely seen at an NQLA event without her husband, Ben ("Bushy") who, despite having absolutely no connection to the legal profession, has become something of an honorary committee member. Following his outstanding performance at the 2025 conference - including packing all the delegate bags, driving an old golf buggy in torrential weather and generally saying "yes" to every request - Bushy was unanimously awarded the committee's unofficial MVP title. His Application for life membership remains under consideration.
Kerri Patterson
Committee Member - Townsville
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Kerri Patterson
Committee Member - Townsville
Kerri is the founder and principal solicitor of Kalo Law Group. She completed a double degree in law and psychology at James Cook University and was admitted as a solicitor in 2010. She has practised in North Queensland since her admission, predominantly in criminal, family and child protection law.
Kerri joined the NQLA committee in 2026. At the time of writing, she's still blissfully unaware of what she's agreed to.
Michael Barclay
Committee Member - Townsville
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Michael Barclay
Committee Member - Townsville
Michael is a criminal lawyer with Anderson Telford Lawyers, having been admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2025. A former North Queensland Cowboys Young Gun, Michael's path to the law came after an injury brought his football career to an early end - proving that while he may have left the field, he still enjoys a good contest.
Michael is passionate about supporting the North Queensland legal profession and is proud to serve on the NQLA committee. Outside of work, Michael enjoys spending time with family and friends, and regularly reminds his fiancé that the answer to getting a dog remains "no" - a position that, unlike most legal arguments, appears immune to persuasion.
Kelly Whitten
Committee Member - Cairns
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Kelly Whitten
Committee Member - Cairns
Kelly is a director at WGC Lawyers in Cairns and practises exclusively in Family Law.
Kelly graduated from the University of Otago with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts majoring in Indigenous Development. She was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in 2018 and as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2020.
Kelly has served as a committee member of the Far North Queensland Law Association since 2020 and has been a volunteer solicitor with the North Queensland Women’s Legal Service since 2023.
This is Kelly's second year on the NQLA committee, and she has quickly established herself as the committee member most likely to respond "Yep, I can do that", before anyone has finished asking. We haven't quite found her limit yet, but we are trying.
Julia Petratos
Committee Member - Cairns
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Julia Petratos
Committee Member - Cairns
Julia is an Associate with WGC Lawyers, practicing in Family Law. She brings a wealth of experience, professionalism and good humour to the NQLA committee. With a background in family law, wills and estates, and conveyancing, Julia offers comprehensive and holistic advice to her clients to help them navigate the complexities of relationship breakdowns and their far-reaching impacts.
Julia is also a talented singer, having performed at the FNQLA's Carbolic Smoke Ball on three (3) separate occasions. She doesn't know it yet, but the committee has already decided she is the lead singer of the soon-to-be-formed house band. Rehearsals are expected to commence as soon as someone finds a drummer.
Nick Westcott
Committee Member - Cairns
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Nick Westcott
Committee Member - Cairns
Nick is a lawyer with Osborne Butler, practising primarily in criminal law while also maintaining a diverse commercial practice spanning employment, insolvency, debt recovery and business disputes.
Nick joined the NQLA committee in 2025. Well... eventually. After agreeing to nominate, Nick missed the AGM and his appointment was delayed by what he considered to be a far more compelling engagement with the Great Barrier Reef. Thankfully, the fish eventually let him come back, and he has been making up for it ever since.
Rebecca Casanovas
Committee Member - Mackay
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Rebecca Casanovas
Committee Member - Mackay
Rebecca is an Associate at Family Lawyer Mackay.
In addition to being a committee member for the North Queensland Law Association, she is also President of the Mackay District Law Association and a committee member of the Queensland Law Society’s Regional, Rural and Remote Committee and Mackay Regional Community Legal Centre.
Rebecca volunteers with the Mackay Regional Community Legal Centre and North Queensland Women’s Legal Service.
Outside of law Rebecca enjoys spending time with her family and maintains interests in travelling, NRL and enjoying the Mackay region. We won't mention which team she supports, but let's just say resilience is one of her greatest strengths.
Jessica Alexander
Committee Member - Mackay
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Jessica Alexander
Committee Member - Mackay
Jessica Alexander is an Associate at Macrossan & Amiet Solicitors, practising primarily in family law. She is committed to assisting clients through complex and often sensitive legal matters with a practical, client-focused approach. Jessica works across a range of family law matters, providing clear advice and tailored support to help clients navigate separation, parenting arrangements, property settlements, and related disputes. As a member of the North Queensland Law Association committee, Jessica is passionate about supporting the legal profession in regional Queensland and fostering professional connections within the North Queensland legal community.
Jess is also the committee member you want around when decorations are involved. Give her a balloon pump and an hour, and she will create something worthy of a wedding. Give her a State of Origin jersey, however, and all that good judgement disappears.
Kate Bone
Committee Member - Mackay
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Kate Bone
Committee Member - Mackay
Kate was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2010, and has worked across a number of Mackay law firms before scoring an illustrious in-house role with Mackay Regional Council, where she is currently employed as MRC's Principal Legal Counsel.
This year marks Kate's 10th year on the NQLA committee, making her one of our longest-serving members.
Kate is the committee's unofficial social coordinator, perennial "last woman standing" and is widely regarded as most likely to twist her own arm to stay for another round. After a decade of service, we've stopped asking whether she's coming to the conference and simply assume she will be there until the venue closes.**
