Leisa Toomey is a voice of authority in the field of Family Law.
As an Accredited Family Law Specialist with the Queensland Law Society and a previous Partner and Practice Group Leader of Schultz Toomey O’Brien Lawyers, she has spent 20 years designing clear blueprints for solutions to complex family and high-value property settlements.
Her expertise, along with her pragmatic empathy, has allowed her clients to keep their focus firmly on building their futures.
Toomey Family Law believes we can help change the impacts that divorce, separation and settlements have on individuals and families. We keep our clients front-of-mind and measure our actions through thorough case management protocols. We are accountable to our Firm’s Values and our actions and outcomes represent this.
Toomey Family Law is focused on driving change from the front. We understand who our clients are and we put the needs, desires and wants they hold for their future, at the centre, at all times.
We don’t steamroll with an agenda or incite unnecessary fights. We guide clients to choose their battles, manage expectations and help remove the toxicity that can delay cases, and ultimately overwhelm all involved.
It doesn’t have to end in a fight.
Watch our video and find out how Toomey Family Law can help you settle amicably.
Toomey Family Law provides pragmatic and comforting advice so clients know they have been heard. Our holistic advice gives perspective and provides safety through empowerment. People trust us as a pillar of knowledge and we don’t break that trust.
Through transparency, accountability and honouring the people we serve, we affirm the following values:
We:
Using a unique, tailored methodology, Toomey Family Law brings practical advice together with a simple, holistic and compassionate approach that minimises delays and overwhelm and maximises desired outcomes.
Dividing marital assets is much like the 5 phases of building a house:
Leisa Toomey is a voice of authority in Family Law, providing high-quality one-on-one service to each of her valued clients. Admitted as a Solicitor in 1998, she became a Qld Law Society Accredited Family Law Specialist in 2003, has been a Qld Law Society Mediator since 2004, and an Independent Children’s Lawyer since 2005.
Leisa also holds memberships with Qld Law Society, Sunshine Coast Law Association, Law Council of Australia, Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia (FLS), Family Law Practitioners Association of Queensland, and Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network.
A partner at Schultz Toomey O’Brien Lawyers from 2000 to 2014, Leisa stayed on at the firm as Head of the Qld Family Law Department, following its sale to Slater & Gordon. In December 2016 she began a three-year break, before being called back to this dynamic and purposeful arena.
Her desire to help clients by designing clear blueprints for solutions to complex family and high-value property settlements encouraged her to start Toomey Family Law in February 2020. Uniting a dedicated team committed to providing empathetic and pragmatic results, has allowed the firm to provide personalised, trusted advice and timely action that enables clients to focus on positively building their futures.
You could say that Family Law is in Emma’s blood. Having grown up with a dad who worked as a Family Lawyer (and later a Family Law Judge), both she and her brother now practice in the field. Fulfilling her ambitions, Emma, now a Solicitor, has attained a Bachelor of Laws and a Graduate Diploma in Practical Legal Training. She is admitted into the and the High Court of Australia. Emma humbly sees these achievements as the means by which she is able to help others rebuild their lives at incredibly difficult times.
In addition to her work in the arena, Emma is a member of Family Law Practitioners Association (FLPA), Queensland Law Society (QLS), Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia (FLS), is on the committee board of the Sunshine Coast Law Association and is a Volunteer Lawyer at Sunshine Coast Community Legal Service.
Emma is delighted to again be in practice with Leisa. Having worked with the whole Toomey Family Law team at Schultz Toomey O’Brien Lawyers between 2015 and 2017, she and the staff are able to coordinate seamlessly in the pursuit of the common goals of their clients.
Luke is a local to the Sunshine Coast having attended Pacific Lutheran College for his high school education. Following on from his local education Luke then attended the University of the Sunshine Coast and studied a Bachelor of Arts (majoring in design) before realising his real passion was in the law which saw him attend James Cook University to complete his law degree.
Luke has had a tremendous mentor in his father being Judge Middleton, who sits on the bench of the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Luke is the older brother of Emma Middleton who is also a solicitor at Toomey Family Law.
Luke is a member of the Queensland Law Society, Family Law Practitioners Association, and along with his sister Emma the Sunshine Coast Law Association.
Because he stems from a family of lawyers, clearly this profession is in his blood. Luke loves the variety of work, especially in family law where no two cases are ever really the same. Luke particularly enjoys the financial matters in property settlements that require significant thought and practical solutions.
As an avid musician, listening and creating music is a big part of Luke’s downtime. Luke also enjoys the outdoors and in particular rock climbing in the local area.
Wendy is unreservedly dedicated to Toomey Family Law, which is evident in every element of her work. With more than three decades of experience handling legal communications, research, scheduling and general Frontline Management, her client’s experience remains front and centre.
This wealth of experience began in Bundaberg, where straight out of high school, Wendy took a job with a local law firm before the commencement of her university course. Enjoying the position so much, Wendy chose to forego her original field of study and make her career in the legal field.
The trusted affiliation between Wendy and Leisa, stems from the 20-plus years of service they’ve experienced together in multiple law firms across the Sunshine Coast. This is a dynamic duo to be reckoned with!
As Practice Manager, Wendy is certified as a Commissioner for Declaration. She is also responsible for the smooth functioning and cohesiveness of the Toomey Family Law team, and the holistic legal settlements they make possible.
Originally from Kingaroy, Erika moved to the Sunshine Coast in 2012, where her previous experience in Conveyancing and Family Law secured her position at Schultz Toomey O’Brien Lawyers, working under Leisa. She then transitioned to another firm to pursue the specialty of Wills & Estates; however, her passion to be of service in Family Law sees her reunite with Leisa and her team.
Erika’s current Diploma studies in Business Administration complement the attention to detail she offers in direct support of Leisa and Emma. In her position as Paralegal at Toomey Family Law, she helps clients throughout their legal journeys, ensuring that their administrative and legal obligations are met in an uncomplicated, effective and prompt manner.
When not working or studying, Erika prioritises family time with her husband and two children and keeping in touch with friends.
Kate supports clients during their relationship-breakdown by guiding them through the administrative and legal requirements of their divorce, property settlement, post-separation parenting arrangements, financial agreements, domestic violence and child support matters. Her skills and experience ensure this process is efficient and pragmatic; Kate’s primary objective is to assist clients to make a fresh start without any associated toxicity.
Kate has worked with Leisa since 2011– first at Schultz Toomey O’Brien Lawyers and now at Toomey Family Law— in her position as a Paralegal and finds the interpersonal aspects of family law hugely rewarding.
With a Bachelor of Business (Management), Kate will also finalise a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) in 2022. In addition to being appointed as a Commissioner for Declarations, Kate is internationally accredited by the IAP2 in Communications and Community Engagement, is a member of the Family Law Practitioners Association (FLPA), Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia (FLS), the Sunshine Coast Law Association, and the Queensland Law Society.
Originally from New Zealand, Francesca became interested in working in the legal field during her time as a receptionist for another Law Firm. Here, she learnt the insides of the legal industry and completed a Certificate 3 in Business Administration.
Working for Toomey Family Law, she is excited to extend her learnings and knowledge with our close and very experienced team.
Outside of work, she likes to spend time with her friends and sister. She is also dabbling in film and photography, so is often found with a camera around her neck when visiting many of the beautiful places on the Sunshine Coast.
Born and raised on the Sunshine Coast, Katey has worked as a Legal Assistant in both Property Law and Family Law, including five years at Leisa’s previous firm, Schultz Toomey O’Brien Lawyers.
A mum of two boys, Katey is currently also studying a Bachelor of Laws and has a Diploma in Legal Services, a Commissioner for Declarations Licence and Certificate II in Business Administration.
Katey is attracted to Family Law at our firm due to her desire to help people when they need it the most.
“I love being able to work with a supportive, extremely knowledgeable and empowering team.”
When she isn’t working or studying, Katey loves getting out and going on adventures with her family, whether it be spotting wildlife, climbing mountains, chasing waterfalls or going to the beach.
Focusing on improving outcomes, particularly in complicated cases with a high net worth, Toomey Family Law directs its resources and energies into building solutions together with clients and creating opportunities, wherever possible, for out of court settlements.
If you or your clients are looking for guidance to inform and empower your future, let Leisa share her expertise and leadership in Family Law to save you time, money and emotional resources. Start afresh with confidence and a powerful plan for progress.
Extending our reach beyond individual clients
“Working in Family Law and previously working as an Independent Children’s lawyer for 15 years, I cannot help but see the importance of supporting children, who are often at the heart of every matter. For some families and children, their experience of life isn’t easy. Whether it’s their health, feeling unsafe in their home environments or poverty, Toomey Family Law wants to ensure that no child gets left behind. Supporting local charities like these is our way of supporting that mission, right across Australia.”
– Leisa Toomey.
SunnyKids offers a social and emotional safety net for thousands of children and their families and believes that early intervention is critical. Providing emergency accommodation, counseling and health and educational support for up to 5000 at-risk children each year demands community solutions.
As a Gold Partner in 2020, Toomey Family Law is committed to being a part of a solution that sees more people take active responsibility for the future and is proud to extend its empowerment of families and young people beyond its practice walls.
Wishlist is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to fundraising for the needs of the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health Service.
As a Sunshine Coast-based firm, Toomey Family Law is proud to be able to offer broader support to the local community.
Funding provided to Wishlist facilitates ground-breaking research and provides vital medical equipment and support services needed by Sunshine Coast families.