Melody Cornish

MANY young professionals who find themselves at the top of the ladder at a young age have discovered it takes more than just technical ability.

Taking on the mantle of a leader means being a people person, commanding respect and being passionate about the vision and mission of the organisation.

Townsville solicitor Melody Cornish’s leadership qualities have seen her move from articled clerk at Purcell Taylor Lawyers at age 22, to an associate, then partner and director in just 10 years.

Now, at age 33, she has established herself and is well respected in her areas of commercial litigation and personal injury.

Ms Cornish has also taken on the office and staff management role to help streamline processes and she mentors an associate, a law clerk and another commercial lawyer of the firm.

Fellow senior director Ken Taylor described Ms Cornish as a formidable and learned opponent in the courtroom and a hard worker.

“She has a strong work ethic,” Mr Taylor said. “Most people she comes into contact with will say she has a pleasant demeanor but she also has a steely resolve.

“She has a maturity beyond her years and an ability to translate her skills for practicality and for the betterment of her clients.

“(As an employer) you get a feel for people who will go far and certainly Melody picked up the ball early.”

Ms Cornish’s leadership traits include being able to command respect among her peers and she is sought after for her technical know-how.

The former Ryan Catholic Community student graduated from Year 12 in 1995 and went straight into a Bachelor of Law at James Cook University, graduating with honours in 1999.

She wasted no time and began work as an articled clerk with Purcell Taylor Lawyers in 2000 and after two years, became a solicitor under the guidance of her mentors Ken Taylor and Michael Purcell, who recognised a promising young talent.

Ms Cornish was invited to become a partner of the firm at age 29, in July of 2007, and that same year, was named a finalist in the Townsville Young Chamber of Commerce Corporate Employee awards.

As with many quiet achievers, she has a good working knowledge of striking a balance between her strong work ethic, having a strong social conscience and her personal life.

“Being a lawyer involves dealing with disputes and other issues that have a major impact on our clients’ lives,” she said.

“Lawyers need to be understanding of the strain a legal case can often have on our clients.

“I currently work in litigation, which is extremely varied and includes personal injuries work, building and construction disputes including acting for construction companies and disgruntled home owners.

“I am the secretary of the committee for the Children’s Sanctuary Incorporated, which runs a children’s orphanage in Siem Reap in Cambodia.

“I have also served on other committees, including the Townsville District Law Association and the Young Lawyers Committee with the Queensland Law Society.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Senior associate Leon Pommer, company director Michael Purcell and senior associate Lucia Taylor will commemorate their 35^th, 30^th and 20^th anniversaries since being admitted to practice respectively.

The trio, who lead one of the region’s most respected family law divisions, are also celebrating a combined 85 years of practice this year.

Purcell Taylor Lawyers director Ken Taylor said the three solicitors had each led distinguished careers.

“Purcell Taylor is very proud to have these three highly respected and experienced family lawyers representing our firm,” Mr Taylor said.

“They each bring a wealth of experience to the table and are great influences on our younger staff.

“Under their leadership our family law division has grown substantially and more importantly, they continue to achieve favourable results for people who are dealing with very sensitive, stressful and personal situations.”

Since 1976 Mr Pommer, who started his career in Brisbane, has specialised in family law and is an Accredited Family Law Mediator who regularly conducts mediations for independently represented parties in the Townsville region.

Mr Purcell, who founded Purcell Taylor Lawyers with Mr Taylor in 1999, has worked in commercial, criminal, personal injury, litigation and, for the past 12 years, family law, with an emphasis on children’s matters both in the State Children’s Court, Federal Magistrates Court and Family Court.

Mrs Taylor, a qualified mediator and independent children’s lawyer, was previously the president of the Townsville Community Legal Service, completed locum work for the North Queensland Women’s Legal Service and was a senior case officer with the Child Support Agency.

Purcell Taylor Lawyers has 12 lawyers practicing in commercial law, conveyencing, wills and estates, estate planning and asset protection, family law, criminal law, litigation, administrative review, and building and construction law.

The firm is lead by directors Ken Taylor, Michael Purcell and Melody Cornish.

The building, which was sold by receivers appointed to former owner Fortia Funds Management, was bought by UDP Consulting Group director Pat Brady and his wife Tanya; Purcell Taylor Lawyers director Ken Taylor and his wife Lucia; and Base iGi Consulting director Henry Fracchia.

The property, at 85 Denham Street, includes approximately 1500sq m of floor space over three levels.

Vacant for several years, the building is undergoing major renovations such as the installation of a new roof, external painting, replacement of windows and full internal fit-outs to include offices, boardrooms and foyer facilities.

The first two floors of the building will house four companies associated with UDP Consulting Group as well as engineering company Base iGi Consulting, while Purcell Taylor Lawyers will take the top level.

Mr Brady said the acquisition would provide his growing group of companies with a landmark regional headquarters.

“The Taylor and Fracchia families are both good friends and associates of ours and we’re all excited to have bought such a significant and prominent building in Townsville’s CBD,” Mr Brady said.

“The renovation work will help to restore this early 20^th century building to its former glory and provide a modern workplace for all of the new tenants.

“Following our company’s recent expansion into Mackay and Papua New Guinea we will have a head office that all of our staff and clients can be proud of.”

Mr Taylor said his law firm, of which his wife Lucia is a senior associate, had outgrown its current facility in Sturt Street.

“For our firm it was important that we remain in a location accessible to our clients and close to the courts and other service providers that we do business with,” Mr Taylor said.

“It was also imperative that we secured enough space to continue growing our team and legal services in line with demand.

“This building ticks every box and places our firm in a great position for the future.”

Mr Fracchia said the acquisition was a sign of his confidence in Townsville.

“This property is an integral part of Townsville’s history and as an engineer experienced in working with heritage structures, I have really enjoyed restoring and renovating the building.”

Renovations are expected to be completed by mid January. The deal was negotiated by agents Ferry Property.

The promotion of Lucia Taylor and Leon Pommer comes more than a year after the pair began overseeing the company’s diverse and growing family law division.

Mrs Taylor, who began practicing law in Townsville 1991, was also a senior case officer with the Child Support Agency and has represented a number of vital community organisations.

Mr Pommer has practiced for the past 35 years and is an Accredited Family Law Mediator who regularly conducts mediations for independently represented parties in the Townsville region.

Along with director Michael Purcell and solicitor Samantha Kelley, the new associates lead a family law division specialising in pre-nuptial agreements, financial and property settlements, child support matters and domestic violence orders.

Company director Michael Purcell said the promotion was about recognising and retaining senior talent within the boutique firm.

“Purcell Taylor has three directors and now three senior associates, which demonstrates the amount of experience we have across our many areas of practice,” Mr Purcell said.

“It was a logical decision to promote Lucia and Leon to senior associates given they share 35 years experience in family law alone.

“Our family law division has grown on the back of their professionalism and negotiation skills in dealing with a range of complex cases and situations.”

Formed in 1999, Purcell Taylor Lawyers has 12 lawyers practicing in commercial law, conveyencing, wills and estates, estate planning and asset protection, family law, criminal law, litigation, administrative review, and building and construction law.

The firm is lead by directors Ken Taylor, Michael Purcell and Melody Cornish.