Doug McClelland
Principal
Graduated from Bond University with a Bachelor of Laws in 1997, and admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1999, Doug brings a wealth of knowledge and experience along with a fearless unwitting stamina to fight for justice. Doug tag line is “I hate bullies”. Based on this ethos, Doug fights everyday for those subjected to unfair processes and circumstances due to politics and formalities. He is a fighter and will stand by you and your issues until the end.
Career
1981- 1994 – Farmer at Milloo Victoria, Theodore Central Queensland, and Surat, Western Downs, Queensland
1997- 2000 – Articled Clerk, Gall Standfield & Smith, Southport
2001-2006 – Principal, D.L. McClelland & Co Solicitors, Parkwood
2007 – Present – Platinum Lawyers, Oxenford
Doug arrived on the Gold Coast in January 1995. Doug has been part of the Northern Gold Coast community since 1997 and was an inaugural member of the Coomera River Rotary Club founded in 2007. He has been involved in local schools, community clubs and loves Gold Coast life. On a personal level, Doug’s family is his world which fuels him to always try and do the right thing for everybody.
Doug’s primary focus is always the best legal outcome for clients because what we do today affects tomorrow. He often says, “there is a solution to most challenges, it’s just a matter of knowing where to find it.”
Doug’s email is [email protected]
Lorenzo Boccabella
Barrister of the High Court of Australia, Specialist in migration law
Admitted as a barrister in 1980 and has practised in migration law for 38 years.
Lead counsel for the successful applicant in the High Court appeal Minister for Immigration and Citizenship v Li [2013] HCA 18
Has conducted numerous successful appeals to the Federal Court.
Similarly has conducted numerous successful applications to the Administrative Appeals Tribunal.
Mr Boccabella is an expert on migration law and is well placed to give our firm strategic advice on visa pathways, visa cancellation and compliance issues and all matters relating to employers
Sanath Weeratne
Senior Associate/Practice Manager
Sanath has a wide range of legal experience which spans over 28 years in three different jurisdictions namely in Australia , Sri Lanka and Fiji.
Sanath was admitted as an Attorney at Law of The Supreme Court of Sri Lanka in 1992. He practiced in the District and the Appellate courts of Sri Lanka in commercial litigation mainly focussing on Insurance matters until 1999.
Sanath completed his Master of Laws Degree from The University of Queensland in 2000 majoring in Negotiations, Mediation and Dispute Resolutions.
In 2000, Sanath was admitted as a Barrister of The Supreme Court of Queensland as well as The High Court of Australia and then as a Solicitor of The Supreme Court of Queensland, New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory as well as The High Court of Australia.
Sanath practiced actively and exclusively in Plaintiff Personal Injury litigation from 2000 to 2013 representing the injured parties passionately against insurance companies in numerous injury claims consisting of work place injuries, motor vehicle accident claims, public liability claims and medical negligence claims. Sanath takes pride in striking a sensible balance in taking on the insurers to battle towards Court when so required, whilst not been loath to settle at an early pre-court phase in matters where early settlements are more beneficial to his clients.
In 2013/2014, Sanath was appointed as a High Court Judge of Fiji Islands by His Excellency The President of Fiji Islands where he presided over Civil High Court matters.
In 2017, The Cabinet of Ministers of Sri Lanka appointed Sanath as The Public Trustee of Sri Lanka, a position which equates to the 8th Citizen of Sri Lanka in the Citizenship Protocol. During his tenure as The Public Trustee of Sri Lanka, Sanath’s efforts to improve the services of the office of The Public Trustee of Sri Lanka which included improving the financial transparency, accountability and public awareness of the Public Trustee concept in Sri Lanka in line with The Public Trust Concept in Queensland and New Zealand came to the praise of The Government of Sri Lanka. In recognition of Sanath’s commitment and dedication in improving the image of The Public Trustee of Sri Lanka, His Excellency The President of Sri Lanka conferred the Silk on Sanath by appointing him a President’s Counsel (equivalent to that of a Queens Counsel) in April 2019.
Sanath is also currently seeking enrolment to register part-time to read for his PhD at Bond University in “a comparative study between Queensland, New Zealand and Sri Lanka of the Concept of Public Trustee and the importance of financial transparency and accountability” with his proposed topic as the thesis.
With his undying passion in representing injured parties against the insurance companies, and with a view of bringing about satisfying results in injury compensation claims for the clients he represents, Sanath has now joined Platinum Lawyers also with the view of making Gold Coast his home until retirement and beyond.
Sanath’s Email is [email protected]
Tracey Curr-McClelland
Director
Coming soon….
Tracey’s Email is [email protected]