Our Staff

Paul Hede - Director

Paul Hede, a Director of the practice, has over 30 year’s knowledge and expertise in many varied areas of law.

His enthusiasm for the law was first sparked shortly after leaving school whilst working for the Justice Department at the Toowoomba Court House.  While completing his legal studies Paul was employed as an Articled Clerk in one of Toowoomba’s oldest law firms.  Shortly after his admission as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and High Court of Australia in October 1975, Paul  became a Partner of the Toowoomba firm.

Six years later in May 1981, Paul and another partner of the firm, Bill Byrne, formed their own partnership “Hede & Byrne”.

Paul is a past President of the Downs & South West Law Association and has held various other positions on the executive of that Association.  Having spent his life in Toowoomba, Paul has throughout the years been actively involved in numerous charities and community organisations.

Patrick Hall - Director

• Injury Law

Patrick, a Director of the practice, joined “Hede and Byrne” in January 1991 after working at the Public Defender’s Office in Brisbane.  He was admitted to the partnership in September 1996 and the firm became known as “Hede Byrne and Hall”.

Patrick holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) 1995 from the Queensland University of Technology. He was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland, New South Wales and the High Court of Australia in 1995.

Jon Wiedman - Director

Jon, a Director of the practice, joined “Hede & Byrne” as an Articled Clerk in January 1992, after six years employment with the Department of Justice in the Magistrates Court office at Toowoomba.

He holds a Bachelor of Laws from the Queensland University of Technology and was admitted to practice as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1997. 

In July 2000, Jon was admitted as a Partner of  Hede Byrne and Hall.

Aaron Smith - Director

Aaron, a Solicitor and Associate of the practice joined Hede Byrne and Hall in 2004 as an Articled Clerk.

Aaron holds a Bachelor of Laws from Queensland University of Technology (2007) and was admitted to practice as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in January 2007.

He also holds a Bachelor of Business (with a Major in Business Law) from the University of Southern Queensland (2004) and was awarded the “Lexis Nexis” prize for best graduate of Business Law in 2004.  He also received a Deans Commendation for creditable performance in this degree. Aaron also has a Graduate Certificate of Commerce from University of Southern Queensland.

Outside of the office Aaron has a keen involvement in aviation and has particular interest in aerobatics. He is also a member of the Australian Warbird Association.

William Byrne - Consultant

Bill Byrne, a Director of the practice, has over 30 year’s knowledge and expertise in many varied areas of the law.  In 1976, Bill was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland.  He forged a successful personal and working relationship with Paul Hede whilst they were both partners of another Toowoomba law firm, which lead to the establishment of the partnership “Hede & Byrne” in May 1981.

Bill is actively involved in the local community and is a current and past member of numerous charities and community organisations.

John Lambert - Practice Manager

John joined Hede Byrne & Hall in July 2003 as the Accounts Department Manager. After a short period of familiarisation he was promoted to Practice Manager. John is responsible to the day to day management of the practice including Human Resources, Financial Management and Facilities Management.

He has over twenty years management experience in the retail and service sectors and is a former National Committee Member of Retail Group Home Hardware.

Leesa Beresford - Associate

Leesa, an Associate of the practice, joined “Hede & Byrne” in 1995. This followed a number of years employment in Brisbane with Clayton Utz Solicitors in their Property, Banking and Finance Departments.

She holds a Bachelor of Laws (1991) from the University of Queensland and was admitted to practice as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1993.

She has more than 15 years experience in commercial and property law.

Carla Otto - Associate

Carla, an Associate of the practice, joined Hede Byrne & Hall in 2000 as an Articled Clerk.   She obtained her Bachelor of Laws externally through the Queensland University of Technology in 2004 and was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in January 2005.

Her primary interest is in the area of personal injuries law and she has experience in representing both plaintiffs and defendants in this field.  

Outside of work,  she is the Secretary of The Glennie Old Girls Association.  She is also an Accredited Level 3 Adjudicator with the Queensland Debating Union and regularly adjudicates in the local Secondary School Debating Competition.

Kym Cavanagh - Associate

Kym joined Hede Byrne & Hall in January 2003, after spending five years in the Personal Injury Litigation Department of Shine Roche McGowan Solicitors.

Kym holds a Bachelor of Laws (2005) from the Queensland University of Technology and after completing her five year articled clerkship, was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in March 2006.

Outside of work, Kym participates in a wide range of sporting activities including touch football, basketball, netball and racquet ball.

Vincent Hede - Lawyer

In March 2007, Vincent joined the practice as a Law Clerk.

Vincent holds a Bachelor of Science (2003) – Human Movements Major from the University of Queensland. He was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland as a Solicitor September 8, 2008.

He holds a special interest in family law and litigation.

Outside of the office Vincent is a member of the Rangers Rugby Union Club.

Andrew Braithwaite - Lawyer

Andrew joined Hede Byrne & Hall in 2009 as a solicitor. Andrew had worked for a number of years at Swanwick Murray Roche solicitors in Rockhampton, as well as Shine Roche McGowan solicitors in Toowoomba and Brisbane, prior to joining Hede Byrne & Hall.

Andrew obtained a Bachelor of Laws (Hons)/ Bachelor of Business (Accountancy) in 2007 at QUT, and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland as a solicitor in 2008. Andrew has a special interest in Commercial and Property law.

Outside of work, Andrew enjoys playing guitar and sports such as squash, golf and tennis.

Gerardine Kelly - Lawyer

Gerardine joined Hede Byrne & Hall in January 2011. She had worked for four years in the areas of family law, personal injury litigation and child protection matters at another Toowoomba firm prior to joining Hede Byrne and Hall.

 She obtained her Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts (Sociology) through University of New England in 2006 and also holds a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from the College of Law. In November 2006, Gerardine was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland and subsequently was admitted to the High Court of Australia in December 2006.

 She holds particular interest in general litigation, general legal advice, commercial law, criminal law, planning and environment law and estate litigation.

 Outside of work, Gerardine is currently the President of the Management Committee for the Toowoomba Children’s Contact Centre and enjoys playing touch football. She also tutors and marks for the Law School at the University of Southern Queensland.

Harrison Humphries - Lawyer

Harrison joined the practice as a Law Clerk in January 2006. He studied externally through the Queensland University of Technology and completed a Bachelor of Laws in November 2010. He was admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in June 2011 after completing a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice earlier that year.

He has particular interest in commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution.

Outside of the office, he is a member of the University Cricket Club.  In 2005 Harrison was Senior Prefect at the Toowoomba Grammar School. During 2004 and 2005 he was also President of the schools Interact club where he contributed to organising fundraising events for local and national Charities and School projects.

Samantha Hall - Law Clerk

Samantha joined Hede Byrne & Hall as a Law Clerk in May 2010. She commenced her study of Bachelor of Laws at Griffith University before transferring to University of Southern Queensland in her second year. Currently studying full time externally, Samantha is now in her fifth and final year of study and expects to be admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in early 2012.

She holds particular interest in general litigation, general legal advice and family law.