Biography

Tom’s professional career commenced as a chartered accountant (specialising in income tax) both in Queensland and London before he was admitted to the Bar in 1974.  At the time of his appointment as Senior Counsel in 1994 his practice comprised of family law and town planning law but within a short period he practised almost exclusively in the Family Court both in Queensland and interstate (in particular, Sydney).  He has appeared in many of the leading cases involving property division at the trial and appellate level.  He has presented several papers over the years and having retired from all legal work, has devoted his time to writing and publishing “50% of All Marriages Fail (?): An ideal wedding present”.

Areas of Practice

• Arbitration, Mediation & Case Evaluation

• Family Law

Doyles Guide Ranking: Family Law Senior Counsel

2014     Market Leader (Queensland)
2015     Pre-eminent (Queensland)
2016     Pre-eminent (Queensland); Leading (Australia)
2017     Pre-eminent (Queensland); Leading (Australia)
2018     Pre-eminent (Queensland); Leading (Australia)
2019     Pre-eminent (Queensland); Leading (Australia)
2020    Pre-eminent (Queensland); Leading (Australia)
2021     Pre-eminent (Queensland); Leading (Australia) 2022 Pre-eminent (Queensland); Leading (Australia)

Family Law – Select Cases

Cases such as JEL & DDF (2001) FLC 93-075, SL & EHL (2005) FamCA 132; and Smith & Field (2012) FamCA 510 (at first instance) and Fields & Smith (2015) FamCAFC 57 (on appeal) will give some indication of representation in the high wealth cases.

Other cases such as Marlowe-Dawson & Dawson (No 2) (2014) FamCA 599 and Bigg v Suzi (1998) FLC 92-799 might be informative.

For other information on Tom’s specific case experience as it may apply to your enquiry, please contact his PA, Leanne Loydell, on
(07) 3236 1626.

Contact

Phone: (07) 3236 1626
Email: tkirk@qldbar.asn.au