| Our Team
Derek Cronin
Michael Smith
Matthew Hansford
Shaun Rose
Samantha Dillon
Chris Jasek
Trainee Solicitors
Support Staff
Derek Cronin
Professional Experience
Derek Cronin was admitted as a solicitor in 1994 and has practiced in commercial litigation, debt recovery, insolvency and dispute resolution for 13 years.
Formerly a partner of a firm of a large commercial litigation practice in Brisbane, he returned to the Gold Coast and established the firm in January 2006.
Derek provides a high level of expertise in the area of resolving business disputes and has consulted in relation to various business matters and has appeared in large complicated Court matters including:
- contractual disputes;
- trade practices at claims;
- retail leasing disputes;
- franchising disputes;
- insolvency matters and winding up proceedings;
- estate disputes and ACCC complaints;
- employment disputes;
- mareva injunctions;
- securities enforcement and litigation;
- valuation disputes and claims;
- body corporate disputes.
Derek believes that it is important to recognise the high level of service clients require and he prides himself in being available to service clients’ needs whenever they are required.
Derek lives on the Gold Coast, where his family have lived for many decades and considers himself an “original Gold Coaster”.
He enjoys good food and wine and the very occasional trip to the gym.
Qualifications & Memberships
- Bachelor of Laws;
- Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland;
- Solicitor of the High Court of Australia;
- Member of the Queensland Law Society;
- Member of the Southport Yacht Club;
- Member of the Bond Alumni;
- Member of the Old South Portonians Associations;
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Michael Smith
Professional experience
Michael was admitted as a Solicitor in 1978 after completing his articles with an establishment Brisbane CBD practice that also acted as the town agent for an establishment Gold Coast firm, other Gold Coast firms and a Beaudesert firm. Michael remained at that Brisbane CBD firm after his admission until 1991 when he moved to the Gold Coast. Michael has practised on the Coast since then. Michael has had wide experience in many areas of the law as could be expected from someone who has been involved in the practise of law for over 30 years. After moving to the Gold Coast, Michael’s litigation practice included private criminal defence work in a high profile firm as well as some prosecution work. While Michael now prefers to concentrate on civil litigation, his experience in those areas of the law is useful in the conduct of civil litigation. Michael has acted for individuals, small business, corporations, major national insurers and national media organisations. Michael has been involved in major cases, some of which have received national media attention, often briefing Senior Counsel.
He has been involved in litigation and dispute resolution including:
- Litigation arising out of property transactions, leases, contractual disputes, trade practices, sale of goods, partnership disputes, professional negligence and debt collection
- Major fraud cases including investigations by regulatory authorities such as ASIC and Consumer Affairs
- International extradition law
- Injunction proceedings, including Mareva injunctions
- Judicial review applications
- Insurance litigation for both insureds and insurance companies
- Defamation
Qualifications and Memberships
- Entered on Register of Practioners of High Court of Australia
- Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland
- Admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales
- Member of the Queensland Law Society
- Member of Southport Yacht Club
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Matthew Hansford
Professional Experience
Matthew Hansford was admitted as a solicitor in 2005 and has practiced in commercial litigation, debt recovery and corporate governance since he was admitted.
Formerly Matthew was a member of the in-house legal team of a Gold Coast lender and also a publicly listed Company before moving across to private practice.
Matthew has been involved within the commercial sphere from before he was admitted and provides experience in dealing with the following matters:
- contractual disputes
- mortgage preparation
- mortgage enforcement
- litigation
- sales by mortgagee in possession
- franchising disputes
- Corporate governance both private and public companies
- Commercial disputes
- Debt recovery
Matthew believes in providing a high standard of service to clients whether they be a first time client with a small debt recovery matter or one of the firm’s largest clients. All clients deserve the best service and Matthew is determined to ensure that he is able to provide that to all.
Matthew is now well and truly settled on the Gold Coast after relocating here from Melbourne with his family over 12 years ago.
However, he still enjoys escaping to Melbourne to watch his beloved Collingwood and for that matter all sporting events.
Qualifications & Memberships
- Bachelor of Laws;
- Bachelor of Commerce (Economics);
- Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland;
- Member of the Queensland Law Society;
- Member of the Gold Coast Turf Club;
- Member of the Bond Alumni
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Shaun Rose
Professional Experience
Shaun completed his Bachelor of Laws at Bond University on the Gold Coast in 2003.
Shaun then began his legal career in 2004 with a well known Gold Coast law firm, where he was employed as an Articled Clerk.
In late 2004 Shaun chose to travel overseas, and subsequently resided and worked in London, UK. While in London Shaun obtained good commercial litigation experience with a very large and well known UK media company. In London Shaun also worked for prominent Central London firms in the areas of litigation and commercial fraud.
Upon his return to Australia Shaun was admitted as a Solicitor to the Supreme Court of Queensland in June of 2006. Shaun joined the firm in October 2006.
Shaun has experience in very large and complex commercial disputes involving several millions of dollars. Shaun also has experience in dealing with more minor disputes.
Shaun has experience in representing individuals in criminal and civil proceedings brought by regulators in Australia such as the Australian Securities & Investments Commission and the Australian Taxation Office.
Shaun is committed to achieving the best possible results for clients.
Shaun is friendly and approachable and is always available to his clients.
Shaun is a long term resident of the Gold Coast having completed all of his schooling and university here. He has many associations with the Gold Coast through sporting and other clubs and organisations.
Shaun thoroughly enjoys the lifestyle of the Gold Coast and enjoys the beach and playing golf.
Qualifications and Memberships
- Bachelor of Laws
- Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
- Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland
- Member of the Queensland Law Society
- Member of Bond University Alumni
- Member of Gold Coast Young Business Leaders
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Samantha Dillon
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Phone : 07 5592 6633
Facsimile : 07 5592 6733 |
Professional Experience
Samantha Dillon was admitted as a solicitor in 1993 after completing 5 years articles of clerkship on the Gold Coast. After admission Samantha worked at a boutique Brisbane law firm and returned to the Gold Coast in 2001.
Samantha specialises in commercial litigation and dispute resolution and has had many years experience in providing strategic advice to her clients. Samantha has experience dealing with complex litigation with multiple parties, witnesses and experts. Samantha also has an interest in estate litigation and has previously acted for executors in defending numerous Family Provisions claims.
When Samantha is not working she enjoys being a mother to her three children.
Qualifications and Memberships
- Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Arts
- Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland
- Admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales
- Solicitor of the High Court of Australia
- Member of the Queensland Law Society
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Chris Jasek
Chris Jasek has recently been admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland, after completing his Bachelor of Laws at Bond University in 2007.
During his degree he performed work experience with Cronin Litigation Lawyers.
Outside of the office Chris’ interests include snow skiing, surfing, bushwalking, fly-fishing and running.
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Trainee Solicitors
Matthew Harman
Matthew Harman is an undergraduate student at Griffith University studying Law and Finance.
Matthew spent time at a number of Gold Coast law firms of varying disciplines before joining Cronin Litigation Lawyers as a work experience participant in late 2007. His period of work experience ignited his passion for litigation and he started as a Law Clerk in January 2008.
Matthew hopes to graduate university and be admitted as a solicitor in 2009.
Matthew is the Secretary of the Gold Coast District Law Association.
In his spare time, Matthew enjoys playing tennis and golf, spending time at the beach and revelling in the Gold Coast nightlife.
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Support Staff
Cheryl Simeon
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Phone : 07 5592 6633
Facsimile : 07 5592 6733 |
Cheryl has extensive administration and secretarial experience. That experience was gained in legal firms in Sydney over many years.
Cheryl has now opted for the lifestyle of the Gold Coast and has been here for just over two years.
She enjoys tennis, beach walking and would like to improve her golf handicap.
Carmen Emery
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Phone : 07 5592 6633
Facsimile : 07 5592 6733 |
Carmen has worked in the legal industry in secretarial and administration roles both in New Zealand and on the Gold Coast for many years.
Carmen is currently working part-time and enjoys spending time with her husband and two sons.
She enjoys dance and musical theatre and of course, supporting the All Blacks
Danielle Svoboda
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Phone : 07 5592 6633
Facsimile : 07 5592 6733 |
Danielle has gained various types of administration and secretarial experience since finishing school in 2002 in Sydney. From that experience she enjoyed the legal environment and therefore decided to build on her experience in the legal industry.
In her spare time she likes going to the gym, shopping and enjoying the Gold Coast nightlife.
Ryan Draper
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Phone : 07 5592 6633
Facsimile : 07 5592 6733 |
Ryan is a university student currently working at Cronin Litigation for work experience.
Ryan is a sports enthusiast and has a love for the game of tennis. He also loves to travel and hopes to journey all around the globe one day.
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