Ask any lawyer how things are going as the end of 2014 draws near and they will say “Things are tough.” The most significant changes in 2014 in our area relate to the completion of a number of construction projects and the consolidation of the coal mining industry which has resulted in the loss of many work positions and many families leaving the area looking for employment elsewhere.
Although the boom times may be over, the world is not going to end in 2015. Life will go on. Children will be born, children will be educated, families will strive to purchase their own home, work will continue. New businesses will develop and our politicians will make new laws.
Some of the laws that were enacted this year in Queensland included Bikie Legislation designed to strengthen laws with respect to criminal gangs, Safe Night Out legislation which is intended to curb alcohol fuelled violence and, as from 1 December 2014, changes to conveyancing laws which are intended to remove technical consumer protection laws that have resulted in considerable litigation over the last ten years.
Our politicians will introduce new laws in 2015. Hopefully they will provide businesses with confidence for the future, employment opportunities and growth for our area. Past successes are not final, past failures are not fatal – it is the courage to continue that counts.
Macrossan & Amiet will continue to grow as our current staff become more experienced and develop their legal skills and, in some cases, pass significant milestones such as being admitted as a solicitor. Kendell Bocos, who has worked for Macrossan & Amiet as a trainee solicitor in 2014,will be admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court in February of 2015. Kendell will continue his employment with our office working in commercial and civil litigation.
We will also welcome new staff as we continue to strive to ensure that we provide the best possible legal services to our clients. Sinead Butler, who has spent the last year as the Associate to His Honour Judge Durward in the District Court in Townsville, will join our staff in January of 2015 to progress her career as a criminal lawyer and civil litigator.
On behalf of the Partners and staff at Macrossan & Amiet, we wish all of our clients a happy and safe Christmas and success.
