Groom & Lavers' Lawyers: 

See also photos of full professional team

Phillip Sorensen 

Phillip Sorensen is our Senior Partner and an Accredited Family Law Specialist in our Toowoomba, Queensland office. He completed secondary education the Toowoomba Grammar School in 1979 and later studied Law at the Queensland Institute of Technology and was awarded a Bachelor of Laws Degree in 1987.

Phillip was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in December of 1986 and is enrolled as a Solicitor in the High Court of Australia.

Phillip completed his 5 year Articles of Clerkship in 1985 with the Toowoomba firm Wonderley & Hall after which he moved to Brisbane, to complete his studies. After his admission as a Solicitor in 1986 Phillip then worked in suburban firms in Brisbane prior to returning to Toowoomba in 1990 to commence duties with another Toowoomba firm Bernays & Bernays. Details continued…

Contact via email: Phillip Sorensen

Andrew Taylor 

Andrew Taylor is the Managing Partner of Groom & Lavers and Resident Partner in the Oakey Office. He commenced his legal training at Groom & Lavers in 1991 whilst studying law externally through the Queensland University of Technology. He completed his degree in 1996 and was admitted as a Solicitor in Queensland in July 1996. Shortly after his admission he moved to Brisbane to work in Law Firms there before returning to Groom & Lavers in 1999. Apart from his time in Brisbane, Andrew has lived locally all of his life.

Andrew manages our Agri-Business Group.

Andrew has a broad range of experience in legal matters including property, conveyancing, business, family law matters, wills and estates and litigation.

Andrew is involved in many community organisations. He is married to Naomi and has children: Hannah, Julia and Willow.

Andrew's focus is on obtaining a satisfactory outcome for the client in an expeditious manner.

Contact via email: Andrew Taylor

Stewart McDermid 

Stewart, a partner in our Toowoomba Office, and his family are long term residents of the garden city. Originally hailing from the Northern Territory, Stewart under took a Business Degree at the University of Southern Queensland - graduating in 1990. He has since completed further Masters Programs in Management, Finance and Commerce; and his professional memberships include the Australian Computer Society, CPA Australia, and the Queensland Law Society. Stewart studied law at the University of Queensland and Griffith University.

Stewart has a keen interest in community development and identifies strongly with the obligations of stewardship and the principles of servant based leadership.

With a diverse range of work experience in both the public and private sector, including roles as a Director of Finance, Management Accountant, Business Analyst, Software Development Manager, and Small Business Owner; Stewart brings a multi-disciplinary approach to the provision of legal services; and legal risk mitigation and management. Stewart manages our Business, Estate and Conveyancing Team,

Stewart provides legal services in the areas of:

• Commercial law
• Property law
• Conveyancing
• Corporate law and restructuring
• Wills
• Estate planning and administration
• Syndication

Bringing a practical and commercial perspective to all facets of his practice, Stewart stands ready to advise, represent and advocate for you.

To speak with Stewart, simply call our office on 4616 9600 via email: Stewart McDermid

Amanda Boyce 

Working out of the Oakey office of Groom & Lavers, is an employed solicitor who grew up in the Jondaryan area before moving to Brisbane to further her education. She returned to Toowoomba nearing the end of her University studies to undertake Articles of Clerkship in Toowoomba. Amanda was admitted as a Solicitor immediately following her graduation from the University of Queensland in 1994. She has subsequently been employed as a Solicitor in Toowoomba, St George and Dalby.

Amanda has always offered her clients assistance in a wide range of areas endeavouring to be available as the "family solicitor" whenever required by her clients however she has primarily dealt with family law and litigation, wills and estate planning.

Amanda and her husband recently purchased land in the Aubigny area where they are raising their 3 young children. Amanda is employed on a part time basis to accommodate her family's needs.

Since moving to the Oakey area Amanda has undertaken the Presidency of the Oakey Community Pre-school & Kindergarten and assists at the Biddeston State School when parental involvement is sought.

Contact via email: Amanda Boyce

Rebecca Durkin 

Rebecca Durkin is a Solicitor in our Toowoomba office working in the Dispute Resolution & Advocacy Team, with Accredited Family Law Specialist and Senior Partner, Phillip Sorensen.

Rebecca attended St Ursula's College and Downlands College to complete her secondary education, and went onto obtain her Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Commerce (majoring in Politics & Public Policy) from Griffith University graduating in 2002.

She was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2006, and is enrolled as a Solicitor of the High Court of Australia.

Rebecca completed her 2 year article clerkship with a local firm and a firm at Sanctuary Cove and returned to Toowoomba in 2006.

Rebecca is a Section Member of the Queensland Law Society's Young Lawyer Section, and is also a committee member on the networking group Southern Queensland Women on the Move. Rebecca serves as Treasurer of the Toowoomba Children's Contact Centre.

Contact via email: Rebecca Durkin