Denis McMahon
Denis McMahon
Denis McMahon is the Senior Solicitor for the Farm & Rural Legal Service which is a
part of Civil Justice Services at Legal Aid Queensland.
A role he has held since 2003
In that role he has travelled the length and breadth of Queensland visiting farmers
who have found themselves in conflict with their lenders or are struggling to repay
debt.
His office is his car, his views an everchanging landscape of rural and outback
Queensland.
He is the 2020 winner of the QLS Presidents medal
The award recognises an experienced legal practitioner who has shown great integrity,
courage, and responsibility through their commitment to continual improvement of the
profession and of themselves.
A country lad from Maryvale, he spent close to 30 years in private practice before
moving to Legal Aid Queensland where he has been since 2003.
Denis talks about:
The unusual way his mum got to hospital when she gave birth to him;
The impact of natural disasters on the income of small country
practices;
Articles of clerkship, the solicitor’s board and the Queensland law
society in the late 70’s, early 80’s;
Death taxes and the impact on family farms, divorce prior to the family
law act and debt collection as a young lawyer;
The first Xerox photocopying machine and getting it cranked every
morning, carbon copies and electric typewriters;
The importance of shorthand and accurate typing proficiency;
Why obtaining a partnership within a year of being admitted as a
solicitor was not unusual in the bush at that time;
The camaraderie of the legal profession;
Why he chose the law and not rural management;
The importance of seeing farmers on the land and not just conducting
business at the office;
The benefits of seeking a career in the bush, less traffic, varied work;
strong relationships with clients and a sense of community; and
A sprinkling of names of the men (yes mostly men) that practised in
those towns
If you want to connect with Denis you can contact him through my website