About Us - Men’s Legal Service
Men’s Legal Service was established in 2016 as a response to the observation that there was limited assistance available to men who were experiencing family law events.
Our founders were concerned that this lack of resources and services resulted in many men losing contact with their children after separation or divorce. It was apparent that a cause of this was that most of these men lacked the financial resources to seek the legal advice or representation necessary to navigate the family law system and satisfactorily resolve parenting and property matters.
Our mission is to make pragmatic, cost-effective legal services available to men at turning points in the lives of them and their families.
Our mission is achieved through the following key actions:
- Providing low-cost and means-tested legal services to clients in a dignified and professional manner;
- Enabling and encouraging positive and responsible outcomes in the lives of clients and their families;
- Being a ‘guide at the crossroads’ to connect men with community and government organisations and resources to assist with broader life issues;
- Providing an informed, apolitical voice on issues that affect clients; and
- Promoting recognition and acceptance within the community of the principle of the equality of men and women.
Our primary focus is on assisting fathers to continue to be available and involved in the lives of their children after family law events.
Lawyers
Men’s Legal Service thanks the many volunteers and contributions of time from lawyers and other members and groups within the community.
Deborah Brackenreg
Senior Lawyer
Deborah is one of the Family Lawyers at Men’s Legal Service. She was admitted to practice law in 2007 in Darwin. She worked for North Australian Aboriginal Family Law Service.
She has practised across remote communities across the Top End of the Northern Territory travelling with the ‘bush circuit’.
Traveling by small planes boats and cars. She provided domestic violence, family law; child protection; tenancy and the full range of legal services to normally inaccessible communities that had no success to legal services.
She has also spent 6 years working with Territory Families working in child protection and youth justice.
She has also practised in family law and child protection and domestic violence services in Carnarvon with the Aboriginal Family Law Service in remote WA.
Deborah prides herself on always attempting to mediate and avoid litigation, which is costly and stressful for all the parties (including their lawyers!)
She understands everyone is different and needs to a voice to be heard and someone to guide them through the complicated and protracted system that is the Family Court.
She is always there for her clients and provides a ready ear.
Otherwise, Deborah is animal mad, loves the water (not the crocodiles!) and the beach. Her frogs, her dogs, friends and family.
Miranda Campbell
Senior Lawyer
Miranda commenced her legal career as a property lawyer in Brisbane but has always had a passion for family law. In between her property law matters she made time for as many family law files as she was able to and volunteered her time outside of work providing free family law advice in community legal.
Eventually Miranda transitioned from property law to a firm that specialised in family law and it was there that she honed her technical knowledge and litigation skills.
Miranda has exceptional communication skills and a stamina for working long hours which serve her well in the legal profession. She credits this to growing up in a family of hard workers and to the years that she spent employed as an international flight attendant. Miranda is a resolute (though courteous) and empathetic advocate who will take the time to gather the facts, understand her client’s story and provide her client with realistic advice to assist them in moving forward.
Miranda moved to Darwin when her military husband was posted here and was determined to find a position in a firm whose values aligned with her own. She considers herself fortunate indeed to have found a position at a not-for-profit family law firm. Miranda passionately believes that family lawyers ‘have a duty to minimise costs and to reduce conflict’ to quote one brilliant judge.
In her spare time, Miranda loves to explore the many majestic natural attractions in and around Darwin with her family, to holiday dream and plan and to occasionally just chill out and binge watch a riveting Netflix, Stan or Binge series.
Mark Clare
Lawyer
Mark Clare has a varied work history, working in diverse settings ranging from large multi-national organisations to small family run businesses, across retail, wholesale and construction.
When he decided on a career change he undertook a double degree with Swinburne University of Technology in Law and Business (International Business).
Mark has a passion for travel and managed to combine this with an exchange semester at the Universitas Gadjah Mada (UGM) in Yogyakarta, Indonesia with a focus on international law subjects.
Mark was admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2021. Mark joined Men’s Legal Service in 2023 based in our Darwin office. The opportunity to relocate to the ‘Top End’ and work for a not-for-profit family law firm was too good to pass up.
Mark plans to spend his time exploring the NT and with the proximity to Indonesia hope to get back and continue learning the Indonesian language and exploring their culture.
Marissa Mills
Lawyer
Marissa is one of our Family Lawyers in the Melbourne Office. She was admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2022, Marissa is a passionate and driven Family Lawyer who strives to achieve the best results for her clients every time.
Starting her career in the litigation field, Marissa knew her skills were needed elsewhere and having always had an interest in family law, she commenced work at Men’s Legal Service and has never looked back.
Marissa prides herself on giving pragmatic and clear advice to her clients, with her strong communication skills allowing her to complete this with ease.
In her spare time, Marissa enjoys travelling overseas, exploring new spots to eat, and returning to her hometown of Bendigo to touch base with her family and friends.
Support Staff
Sajan Naker
Senior Practice Manager
Sajan Naker completed a Bachelor of Business in International Hotel Management with Le Cordon Bleu Australia in 2017. Sajan received a $30,000.00 entrepreneur business scholarship to attend this prestigious University and studied and worked at some of the most exclusive 5-star hotels and establishments located across Australia.
With the management skills obtained from Le Cordon Bleu Australia and Sajans relentless hunger for success and ambition, Sajan has risen through the ranks to his current role as Office Manager for Stokes Lawyers & Men’s Legal Service.
Sajan likes to keep fit and healthy and often goes to the gym both during the week and on the weekends, he also has a passion for motorbikes and owns a custom Harley Davidson which he rides on the weekends.
Sajan is also a very experienced traveller visiting over 20 counties and 30 cities around the world. Sajan is a sucker for good food and enjoys time spent with his family, friends, and his beloved dog Django.
Brearnna Glover
Office Manager
Bree comes from a background of being a supervising barrista but wanted a more challenging role whilst helping others, so she joined the Men’s Legal Service Team in 2021 as the firm’s receptionist.
She has completed a Diploma of Business at Aurora Training Institution in 2017 and is currently completing a Certificate 3 in Legal Services Administration to further her knowledge and education. With her perseverance and management skills from her previous career, Bree has moved quickly up the ladder and is now the Operations Manager for Men’s Legal Service.
During her downtime, Bree enjoys appreciating the smaller things in life like taking long drives with no destination in mind just to enjoy the scenery, watching the beautiful sunrises and sunsets and always makes time for a good camping trip.
Bree takes pleasure in spending time with her partner and family as well as a gym session or dinner dates with her friends.
Isabella Polbodetto
Administration/Client Liaison
Isabella is a current law student at Queensland University of Technology and has aspirations to work as a commercial lawyer in the future. After graduating from Loreto College in 2018, Isabella has spent her university years working and volunteering across event planning, hospitality and customer service.
Isabella had hoped to work for a not-for profit in the legal sector and became inspired by the work of Men’s Legal Service. She is currently in the role of our Client Liaison, assisting and supporting our clients as they navigate though these often difficult times.
Isabella loves animals, history and travel and has spent the last few years exploring many different countries around the world. Isabella spends her free time reading, learning new languages, and planning her next adventure.
Usman Khan
Paralegal
Usman Khan is currently in his final year of his Bachelor of Law (Honours) from Griffith University. He has also completed a Bachelor of Commerce in 2014.
Usman has a keen interest in family law and wishes to pursue this area of law upon his admission as a Solicitor.
Usman can speak Urdu and Hindi and is able to assist clients with interpretation. Usman is a team player, who has a keen eye for detail.
When not in the office, Usman is a sports enthusiast and is often playing or watching cricket, tennis or football.
Jack Fleming
Law Clerk
Jack is a Law Student currently completing a Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Commerce (Majoring in Finance) dual degree at the University of Queensland.
Jack likes to keep himself busy outside of work, volunteering as the Treasurer of the University of Queensland’s Law Society.
In his previous endeavours Jack has been a European Judo Champion, Esports Champion in the Asia Pacific region and used to run his own business as a Business Automation Specialist. Striving for excellence in all things Jack is excited to help you with whatever matter you bring to Men's Legal Service.
Board
James Stokes
Legal Practitioner Director
James is the founder of Men’s Legal Service. As a commercial lawyer who had experienced family law events himself, James not only recognised a need for affordable legal services for men but he also acted on it.
As a local of the Logan area for more than 30 years, James has developed collaborative relationships with key stakeholders and likeminded advisors. He regularly assists regional and remote law firms outside Queensland’s south-east corner, has presented as a speaker for the Tax Institute of Australia, Queensland Law Society and numerous legal education providers, banks and community groups. He is also a director of Rivermount Education Limited, and the Economics and Law Research Institute, and the consulting general manager of WillPoint (Australia’s leading provider of death and probate notification and will locator services).
As a lawyer, James has more than 15 years of experience working with some of Queensland’s largest and smallest firms. He has provided estate planning, business succession and commercial advice to business owners and private clients.
Stewart Fleming
Board Member
Stewart became a single father when his wife left just after their son's first birthday.
5 years later Stewart and his son (Jack) moved to London for his son to attend a school in London.
After 5 years in London, seeing the world, the boys decided to come back to Australia for Jack to attend an Aussie High School.
Through his career, Stewart has founded over 30 businesses, is a professional coach and is passionate about a Dad's role in raising children.
He is currently resident Master Coach at Performance Studios, President of the Logan Chamber of Commerce, President of Innov8 Logan and serves on the board of Bare Foot Fish, My City Logan and Operait Data Services.
Natasha Hobson
Board Member
As a wife, mother and business owner in Logan, Natasha feels strongly that men deserve equal access to legal representation and that children benefit profoundly from having a caring and involved father in their lives.
She is proud of the work Men's Legal Service does and is always on the lookout for ways to improve our services.
Glenn Hodgson
Board Member
Glenn is a Social Worker who has worked with children in out of home care, families with complex needs, lead community development projects targeting disadvantage, physical and mental health and social engagement. Glenn is currently a counsellor for veterans and their families.
Glenn is a passionate dad with lived experience of family law and has focused his work on supporting fathers and increasing recognition for the value of fathers to children. Glenn has delivered projects such as a dads playgroup, men’s health community events and delivered seminars to professionals about working with men and their benefits to children.
Glenn is interested in challenging gender norms and highlighting the unique benefits fathers bring to their children.
Daisy Cousens
Board Member