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Our Approach
Our experienced team will listen to you and assist you, whether you require sensitive and practical negotiation or vigorous pursuit of your legal rights. We aim to minimise conflict and antagonism in what can sometimes be a difficult process. We will take a detailed history of your matter, identify the applicable principles of law, and provide advice as to the likely range of outcomes, and the best strategies to adopt to achieve your desired outcome within the identified range. Our approach is to give you a range of options and tailor our services to your individual needs, rather than being a one size fits all approach.
Working With Others – a Collaborative Approach
At Wallace & Wallace Lawyers we work closely with a range of professional advisors including barristers, accountants, valuers, financial planners, counsellors, psychologists and social workers, to make sure the best possible result is achieved.
History of the Firm
1949
Stephen Russ Wallace (known as “Russ”) commenced his articles of clerkship to become a Solicitor in the late 1930’s in Mackay. With the outbreak of World War II Russ served in North Africa. After the war ended, Russ went to Toowoomba with his wife, Betty, completed his articles of clerkship and was admitted as a Solicitor. Their first son, Richard Harold Wallace, was born in 1946 before the family returned to Mackay in 1949, when Russ joined the law firm, Ernest Barry and Co., which later became Ernest Barry and Wallace.
1972 - 1985
In 1972, Russ, together with oldest son, Richard, founded SR Wallace & Wallace, which today is one of the largest law firms in Mackay and continues to offer pre-eminent professional advice and legal services. Russ’s second son, Anthony James Wallace, became a Partner of the firm in 1978. Russ was very well respected in Mackay and made a number of significant contributions to the community. He was active in the RSL, other service organisations and the Presbyterian Church which later became the Uniting Church. Russ was instrumental in the formation and operation of Homefield Aged Persons Home. He was also a founding director of Mackay Permanent Building Society Limited which provided services to Mackay residents and was listed on the Australian Stock Exchange until merging with Wide Bay Australia Limited in 2008.
Russ retired from the practice of law and handed over the reins of SR Wallace & Wallace to his son, Richard, in 1985. As a keen fisherman he enjoyed his retirement while still remaining active in the Mackay community until his passing in 1989.
1985 - 2005
Richard Wallace practiced at SR Wallace & Wallace for over 33 years. He was Managing Partner from 1985 until retiring in 2005.
2005 - 2007
On Richard’s retirement Tony Wallace who had spent almost his entire working career (over 30 years) at SR Wallace & Wallace became Managing Partner, before retiring in 2007.
2007 - 2022
When Tony Wallace retired in 2007 Brett Johnson who had been working with the firm since 1994 became Managing Partner. On 1 January 2022, after 14.5 years at the helm, Brett stepped down as Managing Partner as part of a planned progression to semi-retirement. Brett still works for Wallace & Wallace Lawyers as a Consultant.
2022
On 1 January 2022, Sara Sugars became Managing Partner of Wallace & Wallace Lawyers. Sara joined Wallace & Wallace Lawyers as an article clerk in 1994 following her graduation from James Cook University. Admitted as a Solicitor in 1996, Sara worked her way up through the firm to Associate, becoming a Partner in 2016 and now Managing Partner since 2022.
2023
New Moranbah office opens. Plans to open the Moranbah office were initiated by the ongoing growth and need for legal representation not only in Moranbah but in the surrounding mining and farming communities of Dysart, Emerald, Clermont and Middlemount. The Moranbah office will provide residents of our regional communities with access to a full range of legal services.
