Paul Harding
Partner
Contact Paul at pharding@hardingrichards.com.au
LinkedIn
Profile
Paul was admitted to practice in 1987, having graduated from QUT with honours. Paul became a partner in 1997 in another Brisbane firm and in 2003, together with Jason Richards, formed Harding Richards Lawyers.
Paul’s more than 25 years as a lawyer means he has a wealth of experience in most facets of a commercial legal practice, including property (commercial and residential), business structuring and acquisitions, commercial and retail leasing, banking and finance.
The other area of Paul’s focus has been asset and estate planning. This encompasses a wide range of issues from asset structuring and simple wills through to more complex testamentary trust wills. Paul has also advised and acted extensively in deceased estates.
Paul’s knowledge and experience means that he is able to represent clients through all stages of their lives from wealth creation and protection to estate planning, succession and administration. As a result Paul’s clients feel safe in the knowledge that he will always be able to assist them no matter what their needs may be. Paul has grown the firm through referrals from other professionals and clients as well as repeat work which is a credit to his hard work and dedication to his clients.
Jason Richards
Partner
Contact Jason at jrichards@hardingrichards.com.au
Profile
Jason was admitted to practice in 1997, having graduated from James Cook University in 1997. In 2001 he completed a Master of Laws at QUT and was made a partner in another Brisbane firm, before forming Harding Richards Lawyers with Paul Harding in 2003.
Jason’s expertise covers the full spectrum of commercial advice from the negotiating stages through to litigation. His extensive litigation experience means that he takes a very thorough and practical approach to the negotiation and drafting of commercial documents. His strong negotiating skills have led to successful outcomes in the brokering of commercial deals and the resolution of disputes.
Jason also heads the family law team and has considerable experience in all areas of family law and throughout all stages of the process from advising clients to negotiating settlement to court proceedings. Jason has been involved in a number of cases that are extremely complex involving companies, businesses, trusts, commercial and residential property, shareholding portfolios and cash in the bank. Jason’s knowledge and ability has seen this side of the firm grow considerably through referrals which is a testament to him and the rest of the family law team.
Julia Murfitt
Associate
Contact Julia at jmurfitt@hardingrichards.com.au
Profile
Julia was admitted as a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand in February 2009, admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in February 2012 and admitted to the High Court of Australia in July 2012.
Julia has experience in all facets of the law including:
- Family law – complex parenting matters, property settlements, child and spousal maintenance, de facto property matters and domestic violence
- Commercial Law – buying and selling businesses, commercial property and commercial leasing
- Litigation – acting for Plaintiffs and Defendants at all stages throughout the proceedings.
Julia is open and honest with her clients and works tirelessly for them. Julia is a member of the Family Law Practitioners Association, the Family Law Section – Law Council of Australia and is a volunteer at the Women’s Legal Service Queensland.
Alice Chirila
Lawyer
Contact Alice at achirila@hardingrichards.com.au
Profile
Alice graduated from Griffith University in 2012 with a Bachelor of Laws and Criminology. Alice completed her Diploma in Legal Practice with Queensland University of Technology in 2013 before being admitted as a solicitor in the Supreme Court of Queensland in February 2014.
Alice joined the team at Harding Richards Lawyers in February 2015 and brings with her a youthfully energetic and committed attitude to HRL. Alice has a passion for commercial law and since joining the HRL team has strongly developed her skills and knowledge in all aspects of buying and selling commercial property and leasing and has been involved in a number of high profile property transactions.
Rachel Stuart
Lawyer
Contact Rachel at rstuart@hardingrichards.com.au
Profile
Rachel graduated from James Cook University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Business (Accounting) – Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and completed a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the College of Law. Rachel was admitted as a Solicitor in the Supreme Court of Queensland in June 2017.
Rachel joined the team at HRL in May 2017 and has since worked closely with the partners on a variety of matters with a focus on residential conveyancing, property and commercial law.
Prior to joining HRL Rachel worked as a Legal Associate in the Family Court of Australia. Rachel has a keen interest in family law and social justice. Rachel has also volunteered at the North Queensland Women’s Legal Service and completed a legal placement with International Bridges to Justice in Cambodia. Rachel’s down to earth attitude and honesty with her clients makes her a valuable member of the team.