Groom & Lavers' Lawyers:
Phillip Sorensen LL. B., Acc Spec (Fam)
Background
Phillip Sorensen is a Principal of our firm (Senior Partner), an Accredited Family Law Specialist and Solicitor-in-Charge of our Toowoomba Branch office in Queensland.
Completing secondary education at the Toowoomba Grammar School in 1979, Phillip later studied Law at the then Queensland Institute of Technology (QIT) 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.
1995 saw the establishment of a legal practice by Phillip which became known as Sorensen Legal and practiced wide variety of areas including Family Law, Conveyancing and Mediation. During this time he also undertook the role of Separate Children’s Representative in many Family Law matters. During this time Phillip successfully also undertook work as a prosecutor on behalf of the Building Services Authority which included extensive trial work as Solicitor Advocate. Phillip also taught the course, ‘Basic Family Law’ at Toowoomba TAFE (now SQIT) for many years.
Sorensen Legal merged with Groom & Lavers on 1 January 2001 when Phillip became a ‘Partner’.
Practice areas
Presently Phillip practices in the following areas of law:
- Family Law including: Property Settlement; Mediation and Dispute Resolution.
- Business Law including: Corporate and Partnership; Copyright, Designs and Trademarks; Business Planning and Dispute Resolution.
- Succession Law including: Wills & Estates; Powers of Attorney; Estate Planning and Administration; Applications to QCAT; Mediation and Dispute Resolution.
- Property Law including Conveyancing - Rural and Residential, Building Units , Land Developments
Family Law
Since obtaining accreditation as a Family Law Specialist in November 1997, Phillip has practiced extensively in the Family Law field, particularly focusing on property settlements.
Business Law
In the business area, Phillip has a particular interest in Business Development and Planning. Phillip is particularly interested in ensuring that businesses have adequate structures and arrangements in place to secure their future. The legal structure of your business is a very important aspect of sound business management. It is something that should be reviewed on a periodical basis. We can work with your Accountant to ensure your legal structure is optimised for your benefit. Phillip’s specialist expertise in Family Law provides valuable insight in this area of practice.
Succession Law
Along with our longstanding Wills and Estates clerk Rosemaree Brett, Phillip is responsible for our Wills and Estates team. As a team Phillip and Rosemaree bring a combined total of 60 years experience to this area. From the simplest of Wills to complex Wills involving Testamentary trusts or completing your Enduring Power of Attorney our team can assist you with your estate planning needs and advice.
Phillip is the author of the paper, Examining the Role of Asset Protection in Estate Planning and How It Impacts on the Family Law Jurisdiction, presented to the Lexis - Nexis Family Law Masterclass on 1 June 2006. Download paper (As a PDF).
Community
Since his return to Toowoomba, Phillip has been active in community organisations. Phillip has served as a committee member of Blue Nursing (now Blue Care) and has served as Secretary and President of the Downs and South Western Law Association Inc.
Phillip served in 2006 as a Parish Councillor of St Luke’s Anglican Parish, Toowoomba. Phillip is involved in the life of the Parish (at St Mark’ Rangeville) which continues a traditional link of the firm to St Luke’s. Sir Littleton Groom, a partner in the firm from 1915 to 1918 was also very much involved in the life of St Luke’s Parish. Phillip serves as Honorary Solicitor to the Parish.
From 2006 to 2010 Phillip was a Director of Lifeline Darling Downs & Southwest Queensland Limited, and served as their Legal Advisor and Convenor of the Legal Committee. Phillip remains a member and is always ready to assist Lifeline.
Phillip currently serves with the following organisations:
- Honorary Solicitor, St Luke's Anglican Parish, Toowoomba;
- Honorary Solicitor, Lions Club of Toowoomba, Inc.
In his spare time, Phillip is involved in cycling to keep fit (Road & Mountain bikes), goes to the gym and plays guitar.
Contact Phillip via
email.
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