About Us - Men’s Legal Service
Men’s Legal Service was established in 2016 as a response to the observation that there was limited assistance available to men who were experiencing family law events.
Our founders were concerned that this lack of resources and services resulted in many men losing contact with their children after separation or divorce. It was apparent that a cause of this was that most of these men lacked the financial resources to seek the legal advice or representation necessary to navigate the family law system and satisfactorily resolve parenting and property matters.
Our mission is to make pragmatic, cost-effective legal services available to men at turning points in the lives of them and their families.
Our mission is achieved through the following key actions:
- Providing low-cost and means-tested legal services to clients in a dignified and professional manner;
- Enabling and encouraging positive and responsible outcomes in the lives of clients and their families;
- Being a ‘guide at the crossroads’ to connect men with community and government organisations and resources to assist with broader life issues;
- Providing an informed, apolitical voice on issues that affect clients; and
- Promoting recognition and acceptance within the community of the principle of the equality of men and women.
Our primary focus is on assisting fathers to continue to be available and involved in the lives of their children after family law events.
Lawyers
Men’s Legal Service thanks the many volunteers and contributions of time from lawyers and other members and groups within the community.
Miranda Campbell
Senior Lawyer
Miranda commenced her legal career as a property lawyer in Brisbane but has always had a passion for family law. In between her property law matters she made time for as many family law files as she was able to and volunteered her time outside of work providing free family law advice in community legal.
Eventually Miranda transitioned from property law to a firm that specialised in family law and it was there that she honed her technical knowledge and litigation skills.
Miranda has exceptional communication skills and a stamina for working long hours which serve her well in the legal profession. She credits this to growing up in a family of hard workers and to the years that she spent employed as an international flight attendant. Miranda is a resolute (though courteous) and empathetic advocate who will take the time to gather the facts, understand her client’s story and provide her client with realistic advice to assist them in moving forward.
Miranda was determined to find a position in a firm whose values aligned with her own. She considers herself fortunate indeed to have found a position at a not-for-profit family law firm. Miranda passionately believes that family lawyers ‘have a duty to minimise costs and to reduce conflict’ to quote one brilliant judge.
Robert Priest
Senior Lawyer
Robert is an experienced lawyer, mediator and Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner. Having been a Senior Associate at the Supreme Court of Victoria and solicitor at various firms, he brings a wide variety of experience to Men’s Legal Service.
Robert has been involved in providing advice to major clients, is experienced in running litigation and has a wealth of experience in dispute resolution, both as a mediator and an advocate.
Robert was drawn to Men’s Legal Service after experiencing his own family law problems and is dedicated to ensuring that other men can access affordable and timely representation when they experience the same. He believes that fathers play a central role in children’s lives and development and it is this core passion that makes him strive for the best outcomes for his clients.
Outside of Men’s Legal Service, Robert is a lecturer at Deakin University where he has taught subjects such as criminal law, criminal procedure and sentencing law.
In his spare time, Robert enjoys boxing, golf, Tarantino movies and is a diehard Essendon supporter.
Marissa Mills
Lawyer
Marissa is one of our Family Lawyers in the Melbourne Office. She was admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2022, Marissa is a passionate and driven Family Lawyer who strives to achieve the best results for her clients every time.
Starting her career in the litigation field, Marissa knew her skills were needed elsewhere and having always had an interest in family law, she commenced work at Men’s Legal Service and has never looked back.
Marissa prides herself on giving pragmatic and clear advice to her clients, with her strong communication skills allowing her to complete this with ease.
In her spare time, Marissa enjoys travelling overseas, exploring new spots to eat, and returning to her hometown of Bendigo to touch base with her family and friends.
Royson Rains
Lawyer
Royson is a family lawyer in our Brisbane Office. He was admitted in the Queensland Supreme Court in 2023.
Royson has worked in multiple areas of law from criminal matters to assisting in estate matters. However he has found a passion in family law and domestic violence cases and joined Men’s Legal Service as he believe his values correlate with those of Men’s Legal Service.
Prior to entering the legal world, Royson previously spent two years in service with the Singapore Civil Defence Force, as a dog handler in search and rescue. This time in the service has taught him skills and lessons in professionalism and importantly in supporting those in need and continues to carry those skills and lesson into the legal world.
In his spare time, Royson enjoys catching up with his mates, training at the gym and playing music on his piano or guitar.
Support Staff
Sajan Naker
Senior Practice Manager
Sajan Naker completed a Bachelor of Business in International Hotel Management with Le Cordon Bleu Australia in 2017. Sajan received a $30,000.00 entrepreneur business scholarship to attend this prestigious University and studied and worked at some of the most exclusive 5-star hotels and establishments located across Australia.
With the management skills obtained from Le Cordon Bleu Australia and Sajans relentless hunger for success and ambition, Sajan has risen through the ranks to his current role as Office Manager for Stokes Lawyers & Men’s Legal Service.
Sajan likes to keep fit and healthy and often goes to the gym both during the week and on the weekends, he also has a passion for motorbikes and owns a custom Harley Davidson which he rides on the weekends.
Sajan is also a very experienced traveller visiting over 20 counties and 30 cities around the world. Sajan is a sucker for good food and enjoys time spent with his family, friends, and his beloved dog Django.
Usman Khan
Paralegal
Usman Khan is currently in his final year of his Bachelor of Law (Honours) from Griffith University. He has also completed a Bachelor of Commerce in 2014.
Usman has a keen interest in family law and wishes to pursue this area of law upon his admission as a Solicitor.
Usman can speak Urdu and Hindi and is able to assist clients with interpretation. Usman is a team player, who has a keen eye for detail.
When not in the office, Usman is a sports enthusiast and is often playing or watching cricket, tennis or football.
Tasfia Alam
Paralegal
Tasfia Alam is currently completing her PLT with the College of Law. She graduated from a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) in July 2023 from Monash University.
Tasfia is passionate about family law with a keen interest in client liaison and legal writing. She wishes to pursue a career in family law and property law upon her admission. She is currently in the role of Paralegal, assisting solicitors with all phases of litigation, drafting and filing legal documents and communicating with clients.
In 2022, Tasfia moved from Melbourne to Queensland and developed a love for the scenic beaches and the outdoors. Outside the office, Tasfia loves the gym, watching Prison Break, and going on Asian food crawls with friends and family.
Jack Fleming
Law Clerk
Jack is a Law Student currently completing a Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Commerce (Majoring in Finance) dual degree at the University of Queensland.
Jack likes to keep himself busy outside of work, volunteering as the Treasurer of the University of Queensland’s Law Society.
In his previous endeavours Jack has been a European Judo Champion, Esports Champion in the Asia Pacific region and used to run his own business as a Business Automation Specialist. Striving for excellence in all things Jack is excited to help you with whatever matter you bring to Men's Legal Service.
Janelle Pepper
Receptionist / Administration Assistant
Janelle grew up in the Hunter Valley area of NSW, moving to Queensland in the late 80’s, to start a family.
Janelle has come to Men’s Legal Service, with over twenty years of customer service and administration experience in the real estate industry, and retirement living sectors.
Customer service has always been a passion of Janelle’s and she enjoys meeting new people.
Part of Janelle’s role, is Client Liaison, assisting and supporting our clients as they navigate through these difficult times.
In her downtime, Janelle enjoys days at the beach in the summertime and discovering new walking tracks in the cooler weather. Most of all, Janelle enjoys spending time with her family.
Board
James Stokes
Legal Practitioner Director
James is the founder of Men’s Legal Service. As a commercial lawyer who had experienced family law events himself, James not only recognised a need for affordable legal services for men but he also acted on it.
As a local of the Logan area for more than 30 years, James has developed collaborative relationships with key stakeholders and likeminded advisors. He regularly assists regional and remote law firms outside Queensland’s south-east corner, has presented as a speaker for the Tax Institute of Australia, Queensland Law Society and numerous legal education providers, banks and community groups. He is also a director of Rivermount Education Limited, and the Economics and Law Research Institute, and the consulting general manager of WillPoint (Australia’s leading provider of death and probate notification and will locator services).
As a lawyer, James has more than 15 years of experience working with some of Queensland’s largest and smallest firms. He has provided estate planning, business succession and commercial advice to business owners and private clients.
Stewart Fleming
Board Member
Stewart became a single father when his wife left just after their son's first birthday.
5 years later Stewart and his son (Jack) moved to London for his son to attend a school in London.
After 5 years in London, seeing the world, the boys decided to come back to Australia for Jack to attend an Aussie High School.
Through his career, Stewart has founded over 30 businesses, is a professional coach and is passionate about a Dad's role in raising children.
He is currently resident Master Coach at Performance Studios, President of the Logan Chamber of Commerce, President of Innov8 Logan and serves on the board of Bare Foot Fish, My City Logan and Operait Data Services.
Natasha Hobson
Board Member
As a wife, mother and business owner in Logan, Natasha feels strongly that men deserve equal access to legal representation and that children benefit profoundly from having a caring and involved father in their lives.
She is proud of the work Men's Legal Service does and is always on the lookout for ways to improve our services.
Glenn Hodgson
Board Member
Glenn is a Social Worker who has worked with children in out of home care, families with complex needs, lead community development projects targeting disadvantage, physical and mental health and social engagement. Glenn is currently a counsellor for veterans and their families.
Glenn is a passionate dad with lived experience of family law and has focused his work on supporting fathers and increasing recognition for the value of fathers to children. Glenn has delivered projects such as a dads playgroup, men’s health community events and delivered seminars to professionals about working with men and their benefits to children.
Glenn is interested in challenging gender norms and highlighting the unique benefits fathers bring to their children.
Daisy Cousens
Board Member