Tom practises exclusively in the areas of criminal and family law. He is a fierce advocate who takes pride in the careful and precise preparation of every case from large to small. He is clear with his clients about what is realistic – his clients trust they are getting the whole story and enjoy working with him in a partnership focused on achieving the best outcome factoring in costs, rights, delay and his client’s real needs.
Tom frequently appears as solicitor advocate in bail applications, defended hearings, Section 32 applications in the Local Court together with Conviction appeals and sentences in the District and Supreme Courts. He manages a number of serious trial matters in a variety of areas such as aggravated robbery, sexual assault, complex state and commonwealth fraud, dangerous driving causing death and drug supply. Tom has also instructed counsel in various appellate jurisdictions including the Court of Criminal Appeal and more recently in the High Court.
In Family Law, Tom has vast experience in complex property and parenting matters. It is his practice to make sure that his clients are well educated about their own affairs and remain ahead of what is going on at all times. His focus is on quick effective solutions that sit right within the range of what a Court would do without the costs and delay that would otherwise be the case. When it is necessary for matters to proceed to Court, he will frequently conduct his own interim hearings and has appeared as solicitor advocate in a number of final hearings in the Federal Circuit Court. He has also instructed counsel in lengthy hearings in Family Court and in appeals to the Full Court.
Tom is a member of the family law, summary crime and indictable crime Legal Aid panels.