Team

BRAND SOLICITORS LEGAL TEAM

Daniel Brand Brand Solicitors Personal Injury Lawyer Perth Albany

Daniel Brand

Principal

Daniel established Brand Barristers and Solicitors in 2016.  He is one of Perth’s leading personal injury lawyers, specialising in catastrophic injuries, with a proven track record of achieving results for clients over the past twenty years.

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Daniel attained his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Notre Dame Australia in 2002. He was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2003, and to the High Court of Australia in 2014.

Daniel commenced his legal career in Perth, completing his Articles of Clerkship with a leading plaintiff personal injury law firm where he spent the next eight years. This included time in Germany where he assisted in the representation of members of the Australian Women’s Cycling team who had suffered severe injuries as the result of an accident.

In 2011, Daniel moved to London where he spent three years working for an international law firm, practising in the areas of commercial litigation, dispute resolution and international arbitration.

Daniel returned to Perth in 2014 to work with a boutique health law firm. He practised in areas including medical defence, professional conduct, and employment law. During this time he spent time on secondment at one of Australia’s leading medical defence organisations, MDA National Insurance.
Away from the office Daniel is kept busy with his young family. He likes to visit his hometown of Albany, enjoys fishing, running and playing hockey.

PREEMINENT LAWYER
(DOYLES LAW GUIDE 2024)
Daniel Brand is recognised as a Preeminent Lawyer in Perth by the most current Doyles guide 2024 for the following areas of law:

  • Motor Vehicle Compensation
  • Work Injury Compensation
  • Public Liability
  • Medical Negligence
    (Leading)

And a Leading Lawyer in the coveted Australian Doyles Award in:

  • Work Injury Compensation
  • Public Liability
  • Medical Negligence
  • Motor Vehicle Compensation (Recommended)
Trent Passmore Brand Solicitors Personal Injury Lawyer Perth Albany

Trent Passmore

Senior Lawyer

Trent joined Brand Barristers and Solicitors as a Senior Lawyer in 2020 following a career in prominent law firms in Western Australia, where he has represented both plaintiffs and defendants. This mix has provided him with invaluable experience and insight into general and complex matters on both sides of the fence.

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Trent attained his Bachelor of Laws from the University of Notre Dame Australia in 2011 further to his Bachelor of Commerce, Banking and Commercial Law from Curtin University in 2006. He was admitted as a Lawyer of the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2012, and to the High Court of Australia in 2016.

Trent has represented clients in a wide range of personal injury and insurance related matters, with a keen focus on workers’ compensation, motor vehicle accident (compulsory third party insurance), criminal injury compensation, and public liability matters. 

His experience varies from straightforward personal injury claims to complex disputes involving multiple dates of injury and multiple parties.

Trent appears at WorkCover WA and represents clients in Settlement Conferences at the District Court. Trent has also appeared as Counsel in the Supreme Court of Western Australia and the State Administrative Tribunal.

Away from the office Trent takes a keen interest in boating, fishing and diving. Life has slowed down just a little with the recent arrival of his second child.

LEADING LAWYER
(DOYLES LAW GUIDE 2024)
Trent Passmore is recognised as a Leading Lawyer in Perth by the most current Doyles guide 2024 for the following areas of law:

  • Work Injury Compensation
  • Motor Vehicle Compensation
  • Public Liability
    (Recommended)
Ben Hansberry Brand Solicitors Personal Injury Lawyer Perth Albany

Ben Hansberry

Senior Lawyer

Ben joined Brand Barristers and Solicitors as a senior lawyer in 2023.

He completed a Bachelor of Law and Commerce at the University of Western Australia in 2008 and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2010. 

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Ben commenced his career for a prominent insurance law firm and gained valuable experience before deciding that his preference was to represent Plaintiffs with personal injury claims, which he has been doing for a number of years. He acts in a wide range of personal injury areas including motor vehicle accident, public liability, workers compensation and medical negligence matters, specialising in catastrophic injury and fatal accident claims.

Outside the office, Ben loves sport (particularly football, cricket, soccer and basketball), travelling, cooking and spending time with his family.

PREEMINENT LAWYER
(DOYLES LAW GUIDE 2024)
Ben Hansberry is recognised as a Preeminent Lawyer in Perth by the most current Doyles guide 2024 for the following area of law:

  • Work Injury Compensation

And a Leading Lawyer in the following areas of law:

  • Medical Negligence
  • Motor Vehicle Compensation
  • Public Liability

And a Recommended Lawyer in the coveted Australian Doyles Award in:

  • Work Injury Compensation
  • Motor Vehicle Compensation
Natasha Brunetto Brand Solicitors Personal Injury Lawyer Perth Albany

Natasha Brunetto

Senior Lawyer

Natasha has close to 10 years experience representing plaintiffs with their personal injury claims. She represents plaintiffs in a wide range of matters including with a focus on motor vehicle accident claims, criminal injuries compensation and public liability matters.

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She also represents Brand Solicitors on the WA Australian Lawyers Alliance Committee.

She has appeared at WorkCover WA, the District Court of Western Australia and the Supreme Court of Western Australia and has experience preparing for trial.

She attained her Bachelor of Law and Commerce from Murdoch University in 2013 and was admitted as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2014.

Natasha enjoys travel, having recently spent a year living in Korea, is committed to her workouts and enjoys heading out and about with friends.

RECOMMENDED LAWYER
(DOYLES LAW GUIDE 2024)
Natasha Brunetto is recognised as a Recommended Lawyer in Perth by the most current Doyles guide 2024 for the following areas of law:

  • Work Injury Compensation
  • Motor Vehicle Compensation
  • Public Liability
Melissa Bayly Brand Solicitors Perth Albany

Melissa Bayly

Lawyer

Melissa commenced her legal career in 2013 and was admitted as a practitioner to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2018. She completed a Bachelor of Law and Commerce at Murdoch University in 2017. 

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During her studies, Melissa studied abroad in Geneva, Switzerland at an International Human Rights Law program.

Melissa is a passionate plaintiff lawyer and has experience in multiple areas of personal injury and insurance law including medical negligence, motor vehicle accident claims, catastrophic injury claims, workers’ compensation and work accident claims, matters relating to fatal accidents, cyclist accidents, pure mental harm claims, aircraft accidents and public liability claims.

In 2018, Melissa was a Co-Author of the Western Australian Law Handbook published on Austlii.

Outside the office, Melissa can be found walking along the coast, spending time with her two cats, Tigger and Taz and planning her next trip to Europe whether that be for a European summer in Italy or skiing in France over the winter.

RISING STAR
(DOYLES LAW GUIDE 2024)
Melissa Bayly is recognised as a Rising Star Lawyer in Perth, by the most current Doyles guide 2024, in the area of Injury and Compensation law.

Mairead Donaghey Brand Solicitors Personal Injury Lawyer Perth Albany

Mairead Donaghey

Lawyer

Mairead has more than six years of plaintiff personal injury law experience in WA and was admitted to practice in June 2023. She primarily works alongside Ben Hansberry and Jackie Brown.

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Mairead completed a Bachelor of Arts in Law with Irish Language at Letterkenny Institute of Technology in Ireland in 2015, before migrating to WA. She later completed a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at College of Law, Murdoch University, in 2022.

Outside of the office, Mairead enjoys spending time working on home renovations, walking her dog or travelling. If not visiting somewhere new, she will be visiting family and friends back in Ireland.

Emily Dawson

Lawyer
Emily has worked in personal injury for over 10 years, across various states of Australia, with experience across all areas of personal injury including motor vehicle, public liability, criminal injury compensation and specialising in workers compensation claims.
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She has a well rounded view of personal injury, having practiced in both plaintiff and defendant litigation. Her expertise includes advising on complex matters involving psychiatric injuries. She frequently appears at WorkCover WA and has also appeared in the District Court and Supreme Court of WA.

Having initially resided in New South Wales, Emily completed a Bachelor of Laws at the University of New England in 2021 and was admitted as a practitioner to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2022.

Outside of the office, Emily has two young boys and two bulldogs who keep her very busy.

Jackie Brown Brand Solicitors Perth Albany

Jackie Brown

Senior Paralegal

Jackie is a well respected plaintiff personal injury paralegal. She brings a wealth of experience to Brand Solicitors having worked with reputable personal injury law firms in WA since moving to Australia in 2005.

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Jackie supports Daniel directly to review and prepare documentation across a wide range of matters, typically the most complex cases, preparing impeccable files and being a go-to for clients.

Outside of work Jackie can be found at the gym (crossfit!) or on holiday, most likely visiting family and friends back in the UK.

Lara House Brand Solicitors Perth Albany

Lara House

Senior Paralegal

Lara works with Trent and Cheyenne to support clients with workers compensation and other claims (motor vehicle, public liability).

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With more than 12 years’ experience working in fast paced personal injury law firms in WA, she joined the firm in 2022 as a Senior Paralegal with an impressive reputation for the quality of her work as well as her calm, competent approach to matters.

Outside of work Lara enjoys spending time with her children and wide array of animals on her eight acres in the hills!

Morgan Margry Brand Solicitors Perth Albany

Morgan Margry

Paralegal

Morgan is an experienced paralegal with more than seven years’ experience in personal injury law. She works on complex cases and is particularly interested in CIC matters (Criminal Injury Compensation).

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She provides support for the Solicitors across all aspects of personal injury claims from assisting in the preparation of discovery, statements of claim, briefs to counsel to the compilation of special damages. She has proven herself to be empathic, reliable and efficient.

Outside of work, Morgan enjoys travelling, diving and spending time with her young family and dogs Frankie and Max.

Kara Lee Brand Solicitors Perth Albany

Kara Lee

Senior Legal Secretary / Paralegal

Kara provides assistance to Ben’s team, delivering legal secretarial support and paralegal responsibilities including the preparation of Special Damages Schedules and supporting with Briefs to Counsel.

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She has over 10 years’ experience across personal injury and insurance law, having previously worked with both Defendant and Plaintiff firms. Kara is always happy to assist and takes the time to get to know all of Daniel’s clients.

Outside of the office, Kara enjoys spending valuable time with her young family, hitting the beach and photography.

Courtney Knott Brand Solicitors Perth Albany

Courtney Knott

Legal Secretary

Courtney is key to our legal assistant support function, providing support to both our clients and Solicitors, supporting Natasha.

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Courtney has experience working across both the plaintiff and defendant side of personal injury law. She brings a wealth of paralegal and secretarial skills to the team.

When she is not at work, Courtney enjoys travelling, spending time working on her new home and is a gun at mini-golf.

LEGAL SUPPORT TEAM

Kelly Brand Brand Solicitors Perth Albany

Kelly Brand

General Manager

Kelly works in partnership with Daniel to manage the practice. She oversees the business operations including Strategy, Growth, People and Finance, and is the Company Secretary.

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Prior to joining the firm in 2019, Kelly spent ten years working in professional service firms KPMG and Deloitte, providing governance, assurance and management consulting services across industries, with a focus on the health sector.

During this time, she sat on and presented to a number of Audit Committees and Executive teams. This included six years in London, UK working with hospitals across the country, such as Great Ormond Street Hospital, Ipswich Hospital and Chelsea and Westminster Hospital.

She subsequently worked for the regulator of hospitals in the UK and on her return to Perth in 2013, with WA Health as a Project Manager on the build of Perth Children’s Hospital (PCH).   

Kelly is a certified Chartered Accountant with a Bachelor of Commerce from UWA and Graduate Certificate in Healthcare Administration, completing her final semester of study at Queens University School of Business in Ontario, Canada. 

Outside of the business, Kelly is kept busy with her young family (read=weekends full of sport!), planning the next getaway and spending time with friends in all the gaps. 

Jai Saunders Brand Solicitors Perth Albany

Jai Saunders

Practice Manager

Jai is responsible for the smooth day to day running of the office and practice through providing support to our people and management.

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She assists in the development and implementation of firm policies, procedures and precedents, oversees the administration team and provides HR support to our people.

Jai has more than fifteen years’ experience working across both the plaintiff and defendant side of personal injury/insurance law in human resources, administrative and management roles.

In her spare time Jai enjoys travelling, hiking and spending time with her family (and spoilt sausage dog Franky!).

Kelly Prentice Brand Solicitors Perth Albany

Kelly Prentice

Manager, Client Services

Kelly oversees our Trust Accounting, Front of House team and new client onboarding process, enabling her to become familiar with all our client matters, from an initial claim enquiry through to resolution and settlement of the claim.

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She has over fifteen years experience as a legal assistant working across litigation, employment and personal injury law.

Outside of work Kelly keeps busy with her three children, driving them to all their sporting activities and trying to keep up her own running (she once ran against Cathy Freeman!). She also has a passion for architectural and interior design and has recently finished building her third family home.

Kirstie Smyth Brand Solicitors Perth Albany

Kirstie Smyth

Head of Risk, Policy & Process
Kirstie joined the operations side of the legal practice to expand out the Risk, Policy and Process suite.
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Following her initial training with Ernst & Young in Africa, Kirstie gained experience in a number of FTSE 100 and FMCG companies, including Nestle and Sainsbury’s, and worked  across the UK and Europe, providing financial management, audit and assurance, governance, risk and project management services.

In search of sunnier climates, Kirstie migrated to Australia where she has delivered audit and assurance, finance, risk and policy roles at both Deloitte and HBF. 

Kirstie is an Associate Member of the Institute of  Chartered Management Accountants, the Institute of Chartered Governance Professionals, and a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors.

Outside of her professional life, she enjoys her new hobby, surfing, and keeping up with the sporting activities of her busy children.

Brittany Martin Brand Solicitors Perth Albany

Brittany Martin

Legal Assistant

Brittany provides assistance to Daniel and Jackie’s team, including legal secretarial support for motor vehicle, workers compensation and public liability claims. Brittany also plays an integral role in managing the subpoena process as well as supporting the Front of House team as needed.

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Outside of work, Brittany is kept busy spending time with her three little girls and a very industrious husband, often ringside at the basketball or some lavish Perth event!

Alyssa Thompson

Legal Secretary

Alyssa provides support to both our clients and Solicitors. She has five years experience working across both the plaintiff and defendant side of personal injury law.

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Outside of work, Alyssa enjoys spending time with her animals and catching up with friends. She is currently studying a double degree at Murdoch University, a Bachelor of Law/Bachelor of Criminology.

Renee Darge Brand Solicitors Perth Albany

Renee Darge

Legal Secretary

Renee joined Brand Barristers & Solicitors having previously worked in Corporate Law. Day to day she provides secretarial support to Melissa. She has over 10 years’ experience in administrative and secretarial roles.

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Outside of work she enjoys catching up with friends, travelling, participating in gym classes and reading a good book. 

 
Cheyenne Murray Dodd Brand Solicitors Perth Albany

Cheyenne Murray- Dodd

Legal Secretary

Cheyenne joined the team at Brand Barristers & Solicitors having previously worked in Property and Commercial Law in New Zealand, arriving in Australia in May 2023.

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Day to day, she provides legal secretarial support to Trent and Lara on workers compensation, motor vehicle, and public liability claims.

Outside of the office, Cheyenne enjoys spending time with her family and can often be found reading a new book.

Isabella Beilin Brand Solicitors Perth Albany

Isabella Beilin

Law Clerk

Isabella supports Trent’s team alongside studying a double degree at the University of Notre Dame, a Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts (Journalism). Isabella will complete her practical legal training through the BBS internship program next year, before admission to the legal practice board. 

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Outside the office, Isabella has a keen interest in photography, videography, dance and writing. Hopefully we see this turn into some blogs for the firm (watch this space). She is the BBS resident photographer.

Her freelance journalism work has been published in the West Australian and the Melville and Fremantle Herald newspapers.

Audrey Quinlan Brand Solicitors Perth Albany

Audrey Quinlan

Legal Assistant

Audrey delivers an integral role in our Client Services team assisting with new clients enquiries through to new client onboarding.

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She provides assistance to the broader legal support team across a range of tasks from document management, process improvement and office administration.

Audrey is in her final year of studying a Bachelor of Arts: Economics, Politics and Philosophy at UWA.

Outside of work, Audrey spends plenty of time with her family and friends, at the beach and can always land tickets to the next big event!

Indi-Mackay-Coghill-Brand-Solicitors-Perth-Albany

Indi Mackay-Coghill

Legal Assistant

Indi joined our team after spending a year travelling overseas. She works to support Natasha together with members of the admin team.

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Indi is currently studying a Bachelor of Law and Arts at the University of Notre Dame. In her spare time Indi enjoys film and spending time with her friends.

Phoebe Pinner

Legal Assistant

Phoebe

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Phoebe

Tunisha Kikoak

Legal Assistant

Tunisha joins us all the way from Launceston, Tasmania, and as a professional athlete plays for the Dockers AFLW team (who Brand Solicitors proudly sponsor).

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When Tunisha is not training or playing AFLW, she supports Trent’s team where she brings her experience in front of house administration to assist the growth of that practice area.

Outside of work and football, Tunisha is excited to explore all that WA has to offer, in particular her love of the beach and coastline

Rachel Gureec Brand Solicitors Perth Albany

Rachel Gureec

Front of House/ Law Clerk

Rachel is the friendly face at our Front of House team and is currently pursuing her Juris Doctor at the University of Western Australia.

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Rachel recently completed her Bachelor of Arts majoring in Law and Society and Criminology at UWA. Outside the office she thrives in exploring new destinations, attending music concerts and chasing sunsets at the beach.
Sana Pulappadi Brand Solicitors Perth Albany

Sana Pulappadi

Front of House/ Law Clerk

Sana is part of the Front of House team after having previously worked as a Law Clerk at a personal injury firm in Perth for two years.

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She is in her final year of studies of her Bachelor of Law at Murdoch University. Outside of work and university, Sana enjoys spending time with her family and friends, and doing art projects.
Brand Barristers and Solicitors Perth

Work with us

There are limited positions made for clerkships and internships within our business. We highly encourage you to read further on the following page if you would like to apply for these positions.