Anne Connell, Solicitor

24/12/2025

Every year….some might say Santa has a problem. Good thing Santa knows Anne!

07/01/2025

GOT A JANUARY PROBLEM? Give Anne a call.

06/05/2024

LIFE can be hard. Criminal charges can make it harder. You don’t have to face the hard times alone. Call someone. Text someone.

Chat online 24/7 for confidential support from a trained Lifeline crisis supporter.

24/04/2024

11/04/2024

James was a good man and a fine lawyer.

It is wi​th incredibly heavy hearts that we acknowledge the passing of our colleague, friend and former Legal Aid Queensland staff member James Benjamin. James very sadly lost his battle with cancer over the Easter weekend. He was 46.

James began work as a lawyer at LAQ in July 2004 after working in private practice as a criminal lawyer. He worked in the criminal practice before moving across to the Youth Legal Aid team. In both areas he developed a reputation for being an excellent lawyer, hard worker and great fun to be around. In September 2007, he began working in Counsel (now known as the Public Defender Chambers) as a barrister where he honed his skills as an advocate even further. James was always approachable and generous with his time, and was a willing mentor to many younger lawyers.

After leaving LAQ in 2015 to practise at the private bar his reputation as a trial and appellate barrister soared. He was very well liked and respected by the profession who briefed him, his colleagues at the bar (in particular his chamber mates at Halsbury Chambers) and judicial officers. Throughout his legal career he continued to defend the most vulnerable and disadvantaged. He did so fiercely and unapologetically. James was brave and authentic both in his advocacy but also as a person. He was an incredibly decent human being and a dedicated husband, father, son, brother and friend. We consider ourselves honoured to have had the privilege of spending time with James both in and out of court over the years. He was a delight to know and will be very sadly missed. We have without a doubt lost one of the good ones. Our thoughts are with his wife Jo and their two boys.

James will be remembered at a service at St Paul’s Presbyterian Church, Spring Hill at 10:30am on Friday, 12 April 2024. In lieu of flowers, James requested people consider donating to the Youth Advocacy Centre - a Brisbane-based not-for-profit organisation that has a mission to increase young people's access to justice, both legal and social. yac.net.au/donate/

For those who are unable to attend the service live streaming will be available. Details for joining the live streaming are available at www.kmsmith.com.au

Vale James.

Kerry Bichel, Director, Criminal Practice and Jakub Lodziak, A/Public Defender, Legal Aid Queensland

05/02/2024

GOT YOURSELF a (court) date for St Valentine’s Day? Don’t get caught out - contact your lawyer today!

07/01/2024

HAVE YOU got a “January Problem”? Give Anne a call and get that problem sorted.

28/12/2023

SOME RULES are not made to be broken. If the police want to speak to you, make it a rule to speak to a lawyer first.

24/12/2023

Oh deer!!! 🦌

Santa seems to have overindulged again!

23/12/2023

Sure, Batman. Suuuuuurrrreee…