Kent James: At your service

WORDS: Suzanne Simonot PHOTOGRAPHY Supplied

Cronin James McLaughlin Lawyers partner Kent James has the ability to see the big picture and influence a positive outcome

CRONIN James McLaughlin Lawyers co-founding partner Kent James is a trusted employment specialist with a deft ability to see the big picture.

Kent has forged a reputation for providing employers and employees with clear and concise guidance to obtain the best possible outcomes, particularly when it comes to dealing with all legal matters surrounding Fair Work, Occupation Health and Safety and employment policies for business.

Having amassed more than 25 years of practical legal and commercial experience before co-founding the Surfers Paradise-based CJM Lawyers in 2014, Kent has a unique, client-centric understanding of what legal risks and opportunities a business faces.

It’s an understanding born of holding many technical, legal, managerial, executive and non-executive roles in listed and unlisted companies and government organisations both here and in the UK.

With extensive experience in risk and compliance, commercial litigation, regulatory compliance, industrial relations, commercial and international reporting, Kent is adept at managing the risk and compliance function for companies within the underwriting, insurance broking, financial planning, premium funding and superannuation business units.

From dispute resolutions to commercial negotiations and overcoming regulatory challenges, Kent has the ability to see the big picture and influence a positive outcome. Renowned for putting his clients first, he focuses on building long-term relationships.

Kent, who holds a Diploma of Financial Services (Financial Planning) and Bachelor of Laws Degree, was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 1994 and the Supreme Court of New South Wales 1998.

He and his fellow CJM Lawyers partners – Shannon McLaughlin, Brendan Madigan, Peter Snelgar and Suzette Araneta – are all Gold Coast locals, completing their studies and establishing their professional careers in the area.

“With extensive expertise in the areas of commercial and general insurance, financial planning and wealth management, consumer and commercial lending, employment law and change management, we are able to provide top-tier solutions on a commercially sound basis,” Kent says.

Born on the Gold Coast, CJM Lawyers was created with a view of servicing its clients to the highest professional level with comprehensive expertise and local knowledge.

The firm was founded through the acquisition of Bruce Graham Lawyers, originally founded on the Coast by Bruce Graham in 2007. Bruce had previously established a firm in Brisbane in 1979 and consistently provided quality service to clients in South East Queensland, Papua New Guinea and Northern NSW for more than 25 years before illness forced him to sell the practice.

The partners have continued Bruce’s legacy by providing expert legal services with a personalised local touch. In 2017, the partners expanded the firm again, acquiring KL Legal to service the growing Northern NSW and Southern Gold Coast regions.

“We are always accessible to our clients,” Kent says.

“This factor, together with easy access to either office, enables CJM Lawyers to provide benefits not available to clients of the larger city firms, whilst providing equal or superior service and experience.”