Cindy Zhang

Successfully appointed as a permanent full-time Law Clerk in a role originally intended for a Junior Solicitor, demonstrating strong capability and experience in criminal defence and family law.

Criminal Law:

• Manage criminal law matters from start to finish with minimal supervision and a high level of independence under the guidance of Principal Solicitors.
• Represent clients in court appearances before Brisbane’s Magistrates and District Courts in the capacity of a Law Clerk.
• Conduct comprehensive legal research using Westlaw and LexisNexis to develop case strategies and strengthen legal arguments.
• Drafting and preparing various legal documents, including but not limited to briefs, affidavits, submissions, and correspondence.

Family Law:

• Assist in parenting and property matters, including preparing various notices, drafting affidavits, initiating applications, consent orders, case outlines for both interim and final hearings, minutes of orders, and correspondence.
• Familiar with court proceedings in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia, and act as instructing clerk for barristers.
• Conduct legal research on complex family law issues, such as parental responsibility, best interests of the child, and financial settlements.
• Liaise with clients and other parties to gather evidence, prepare disclosure documents, and support case preparation for mediation and hearings.
• Maintain accurate case files and ensure compliance with family law procedures and court deadlines.
• Uphold strict confidentiality and ethical standards in all client interactions and casework.

Civil Litigation:

• Provide comprehensive legal support to solicitors and barristers in civil litigation matters. Drafting and preparing court documents, including but not limited to, Affidavits, Affidavits for Freezing Order Variations, Notices to Admit, Responses to Notices to Admit, Consent Orders, Notices of Motion, and other legal documents relevant to civil litigation in Queensland and New South Wales.

Other Litigation Matters:

• Provide assistance in winding-up proceedings based on an unsatisfied statutory demand under section 459 of the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth).
• Drafted legal correspondence and documents across a range of disputes, including Concern Notices in defamation matters, letters on behalf of purchasers to construction companies regarding project delays, and correspondence to opposing parties in website domain disputes.

Commercial Law & Conveyancing Matters:

• Drafting the initial version of loan agreements based on client instructions.
• Handling trust deed amendments, including preparing deeds of replacement and notices of resignation for trustees.
• Lease review.
• Assisting with conveyancing matters, including contract reviews, contracts of sale, and preparing settlement statement.

Criminal Law Matter:

• Opening criminal law matters, including requesting QP9s and criminal history reports, coordinating in-person or online client conferences (including with incarcerated clients), verifying court dates, and preparing Legal Aid Duty Solicitor forms to facilitate solicitor instructions.
• Conducting legal research, drafting affidavits, and preparing court documents, including submissions to prosecutors for Legal Aid or private clients with criminal law matters.
• Managing Legal Aid Portal operations, including Legal Aid grant applications, invoice claims, invoice redirection to barristers, remittances, and extensions.
• Independently attending court hearings and representing clients funded by Legal Aid in the capacity of a law clerk. Court appearance for Mention, Review Mention and Delivery of Judgment at Brisbane Magistrates Court, Family Court and Court of Appeal without supervision.

Family Law Matter:

• Provide administrative and legal assistance for private clients or clients funded by Legal Aid in parenting matter, property matter or cross-examination matter under section 102 NA of the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth).
• Conducting legal research, drafting correspondences, and preparing court documents, including but not limited to Notice of Address for Service, Affidavit, Affidavit of Service, Genuine Steps Certificate, Initiating Application, Notice of child abuse, family violence or risk, Parenting Plans, Chronology, Case Outline (Final Hearing).
• Completing relevant legal documents and arranging conference for mediation. Assisting clients to obtain a Section 60I Certificate under the Family Law Act 1975 (Cth).
• Liaising with clients, solicitors, and barristers to strengthen client relationships, providing briefs to barristers, and acting as an instructing clerk during hearings.
• Attended court hearings in the capacity of an instructing clerk, providing support and assistance to counsel as required.

As a residential conveyancing paralegal/assistant, I provide direct administrative support to property solicitors and assist clients throughout the conveyancing process.

• Draft and prepare detailed legal documents for property transactions.
• Utilise conveyancing platforms such as OSR, PEXA, and MYOB.
• Complete initial letters and calculate stamp duty and lodgement fees.
• Conduct verification of identity (VOI) and property searches.
• Set up PEXA platform and manage transactions via PEXA.
• Manage settlement conditions, such as Finance and Building Pest conditions and oversee the settlement process.
• Conduct independent legal research on Brisbane’s conveyancing laws and procedures and advise domestic and international clients on property investment opportunities under solicitor's supervision and instructions.
• Communicate effectively with clients from diverse cultural backgrounds.
• Act as a settlement agent for paper settlements, demonstrating strong organisational skills and efficient task management.