John joined the firm as Litigation Partner in 1980. Having graduated with a Bachelor of Arts at the Australian National
University in 1973 and a Bachelor of Laws in 1974, John has a well deserved reputation of having a wealth of knowledge in various fields of
law. He entered private practice in 1976, subsequently joining the Northern Territory Crown Solicitors Office as a Crown Prosecutor then managing
a Legal Aid Office in Townsville specialising in criminal defence work in the Supreme Court and District Court before moving to Cairns in 1980.
As Senior Partner of the firm, John concentrates on the areas of Corporate Law, Business Succession Planning, and Finance. He also coordinates
the firm's litigation group. As instructing solicitor for the Thayorre people in the WIK case John has substantial experience in the Native
Title Area.
Anne ENGLISH - Principal
Anne English graduated from Monash University in Victoria in Arts and Law in 1980, joined the firm in 1981 and was admitted
as a partner in 1986. Her fields of interest are mainly maritime, mining and native title law. She has been involved in substantial negotiations
involving mining companies and Aboriginal land.
As an active adviser to many fishing and maritime organisations and clients, she is extremely familiar and aware of problems arising within
the maritime fishing and transport industries. She is also a member of the local Maritime Advisory Committees for the Port and the Great Barrier
Reef. She has developed extensive expertise in relation to the buying and selling of fishing vessels and licences both at a state and federal
level and with local and international clients.
For many years her field of expertise has also included the mining sector. She has acted for both Aboriginal land owners and mining companies
in extensive negotiations regarding compensation agreements. She has developed an extensive practice in general administrative law and also
in the local government area. This experience extends to the development and implementation of by-laws, administrative procedures, permit and
licensing arrangements, and extensive liaison between government departments and clients.
She is an active member of Zonta , company secretary for Ecofish TNQ Limited and has been deputy president of the Community Corrections Board
for North Queensland (Parole Board).
Ingrid CONDON - Solicitor
Ingrid Condon holds Honours Degrees in Politics and Law, both from the University of Adelaide, and prior to joining Bottoms English early in 2008, was a sole practitioner in Adelaide. She is a general practitioner with specialist experience in industrial relations and employment law, and has been practising for over fifteen years.
Since joining Bottoms English, Ingrid has broadened her experience and now undertakes general commercial work, criminal work, work for indigenous communities and individuals, debt collection and recovery work, and administrative law matters.
Karina KIDD - Solicitor
Karina obtained a Bachelor of Laws from James Cook University and was admitted as a solicitor in 2003. She completed her Articles with the firm before moving to Sydney where she worked as a solicitor in a NSW Government Authority gaining experience in personal injury law and workplace prosecutions.
Karina returned to Cairns in 2007 and now works primarily in personal injury law. She is a member of the QLS and the ALA.
Renee SAPELLI - Solicitor
Renee graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from James Cook University in 2004 and joined the firm in February 2004. Renee completed her articles on the 7 July 2006 and was admitted to the Supreme Court on 16 August 2006. She is also registered to work in the High Court.
Renee is also a Registered Migration Agent.
Renee continues to work with the firm as a first year Solicitor, Migration Agent and supervises the firms Conveyancing Section.
Renee is interested a wide variety of legal issues, including commercial law and general disputes. She has a particular interest in immigration law.
Greg CHOAT - Graduate Trainee Solicitor
Greg graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor of Arts (Sociology and Social Policy) in 2002 and Laws in 2007. Greg spent four years as a law clerk in a specialist law firm in Sydney before joining Bottoms English to practice in family law. Greg is a keen traveller and is married with a young daughter.
Kate WOODWARD - Graduate Trainee Solicitor
Kate graduated from James Cook University Cairns in 2007 with a Bachelor of Laws and joined the firm in May 2007 as a trainee solicitor. Kate works under the supervision of Anne English and has a keen interest in Family Law and Resource Law such as Fishing, Mining and Native Title. Kate is also gaining experience in Personal Injuries.
As a mature age graduate, Kate brings with her both life experience and commitment.
Monika LEIPOLD - Graduate Trainee Solicitor
Monika graduated from James Cook University Cairns in 2007 with a Bachelor of Laws and joined the firm in May 2007 as a trainee solicitor. Monika works under the supervision of John Bottoms and has a keen interest in Wills, estates and trusts. Monika is also gaining experience in personal injuries and is keen to pursue dust disease matters in the future.
Whilst at university, Monika participated in the inaugural Shine Roche McGowan mooting competition in Brisbane against other Queensland universities. The moot was in relation to personal injury caused by asbestos and was mooted in front of Justice McMurdo, who sits on the Court of Appeal. The JCU team was successful in this moot.
