Six months ago, Pippa Colman Family Law opened its doors on Flinders Street in Townsville. It was the Sunshine Coast firm’s first move into North Queensland and came in the same year the practice marked its 25th anniversary.
The story at the time was about expansion. This one is about the people.
Behind any “we’ve opened a Townsville office” announcement is a smaller, more useful question for anyone going through a separation, parenting dispute or property settlement: “Who exactly would I be talking to?”
Why Townsville?
For Director Samantha Bolton, the answer to “Why Townsville?” is personal before it is strategic. She grew up here.
“Townsville has always been close to my heart,” she says.
The firm also believes regional clients should have access to the same standard of legal representation available in capital cities.
“It’s important to us that regional clients have access to the same strategic, high-quality representation available in metropolitan centres,” Samantha says.
Leading the office
Senior Associate Nicole Turnbull runs the Townsville office day to day. Being locally based, Nicole says, is about more than convenience.
“Being based locally means we can offer responsive, practical advice with genuine insight into the Townsville community.”
With more than 18 years of experience across several areas of law, Nicole is known for providing practical, results-focused legal advice in a clear and approachable way. Clients value her ability to explain complex legal matters in plain language, helping them feel informed and supported throughout the process.
The wider team
Nicole is supported by the firm’s four directors, Pippa Colman, Sarah Quilliam, Samantha Bolton and Jessica Popple.
Their experience covers property settlements, parenting matters and complex cases involving company structures and family trusts. Across the practice, the team includes four Accredited Specialists in family law and three lawyers with Master of Laws qualifications, with more than 80 years of combined experience.
Founder Pippa Colman described the Townsville expansion as a major milestone as the practice marked 25 years.
Director Sarah Quilliam added: “We recognise the strength and collegiality of the legal profession in this region.”
Built for Townsville’s Defence community
Townsville is not a typical regional city. It is home to RAAF Base Townsville and Lavarack Barracks, giving the city one of the largest Defence footprints in the country.
This means many local families face the particular pressures Defence life can bring to family law matters. Postings may arrive with only a few months’ notice, deployments can quickly change parenting arrangements, and relocations can turn a standard parenting schedule into a logistical puzzle.
“We understand that family life doesn’t pause for a posting order,” Nicole says.
“Whether that’s adjusting a parenting arrangement around a deployment or working through a property settlement that spans multiple postings, our job is to make the legal side as steady as possible when everything else is in motion.”
What the office handles locally?
From its Townsville office, the team handles a broad range of family law matters, including parenting and children’s matters, divorce and separation, property settlements, domestic violence matters, relationship agreements, wills and estates, and recently introduced parenting coordination services.
For complex matters involving trusts or business structures, the Townsville team can draw on the experience of the firm’s Sunshine Coast lawyers without clients needing to leave Townsville or the surrounding region.
A team that shows up
The firm describes its approach as combining legal rigour with genuine care, offering experienced legal representation alongside compassionate support.
It also says community involvement, including pro bono and volunteer work, is part of how the practice operates wherever it has an office. The Townsville team is particularly passionate about working closely with RSL Queensland’s Townsville Sub Branch.
Frequently asked questions:
- Who leads Pippa Colman Family Law’s Townsville office?
Senior Associate Nicole Turnbull leads the Townsville office, supported by the firm’s four directors and its Sunshine Coast team.
- Does Pippa Colman Family Law work with Defence families in Townsville?
Yes. The Townsville team understands the particular pressures Defence life can place on parenting arrangements, relocations and property matters.
In recognition of their service, the firm offers special introductory rates to ADF members and their families.
- What family law services are available in Townsville?
The Townsville office assists with parenting and children’s matters, parenting coordination, divorce and separation, property settlements, domestic violence matters, relationship agreements, and wills and estates.
Get in touch
Townsville office
- Address: Level 2, 280 Flinders Street, South Townsville QLD 4810
- Hours: Monday to Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Phone: 07 4453 0283
- Email: reception@pippacolman.com
Maroochydore office
- Address: 19 First Avenue, Maroochydore QLD 4558
- Mail: PO Box 5200, Maroochydore BC QLD 4558
- Hours: Monday to Thursday, 8:00 am to 5:00 pm
- Friday: 8:00 am to 1:00 pm
- Phone: 07 5458 9000
- Email: reception@pippacolman.com
Website: pippacolman.com
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