George is the Principal Lawyer of a thriving legal practice. He has experience as a Solicitor practicing in multiple areas of law, particularly Family Law. He has a broad range of experience helping clients in all facets of family law, including: parenting and property matters, child support, spousal maintenance, financial agreements and de facto relationship matters. George provides a personal and tailored approach to all of his clients. George is also an excellent Business lawyer with many years’ experience in all aspects of business law.

Whether it be establishing new businesses, franchises and copyrights or successfully resolving commercial disputes and litigation, George can help you. After completing a Bachelor of Laws degree, George undertook a Post-Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at Bond University and was admitted as a legal practitioner in both the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia.

George currently serves as Treasurer of Robina Community Legal Centre Inc, Committee Member of Community Legal Centres Queensland and is a member of the Queensland Law Society, Family Law Practitioner’s Association of Queensland, and Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia. In recognition of his devotion and commitment to the community, he was recently awarded ‘Volunteer of the Year 2018’ by the Robina Community Legal Centre. George is an avid martial artist and in his spare time (those few minutes he occasionally gets!) can be found enjoying these pursuits.

Christine holds a Bachelor of Business and a Bachelor of Laws from Southern Cross University. Following this she completed a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice with Distinction at the Australian National University. Christine was admitted as a Lawyer by the Supreme Court of Queensland and holds a current practicing certificate. She has nearly twenty years’ experience working for the Government and has represented many clients before the Fair Work Commission and various tribunals having a passion and commitment to employment law. She is a published writer on health and safety and currently teaches Law two days a week at Southern Cross University. Currently she assists the office in all clerical functions and allocated legal matters.

Darren Hayes is a Special Counsel with extensive experience in wills, estates, and trust law. He has returned to private practice in Australia after contributing significantly to the development of trust and estate administration laws in the Pacific region, having worked as a technical advisor to the Governments of Samoa and Papua New Guinea. Darren played a pivotal role in modernising their legal frameworks, preparing will and estate precedents, and providing tailored training to enhance the administration of intestate estates. His work also included drafting key governance documents such as the Statement of Corporate Objectives, Board Rules, and Code of Conduct for the Public Trustee of Samoa and the Public Curator of Papua New Guinea. In the area of litigation, Darren has prepared, advised on, and appeared in numerous guardianship proceedings, incapacity, and advocacy matters within the Supreme Court. He has managed a broad spectrum of claims involving estates, handling complex challenges to estate validity and administration.

He has advised national charities, trustee companies, and executors on the implications of Uniform Succession Law legislation and offers in-depth advice on challenging estate administration matters. Darren’s business and personal succession advice encompasses estate and business succession planning, including every form of express trust and philanthropic structure. He is well-versed in the laws affecting international and national FIFO personnel and the protection and administration of assets across numerous foreign jurisdictions including the USA, UK, Russia, France, Singapore, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. His experience extends to managing SMSF matters such as changes of control, trustee removal, and transitional arrangements. Additionally, Darren has advised on the restructuring of complex business arrangements for individuals who have lost capacity or whose structures require modernisation to comply with current company, tax, and trust laws. This often involves coordinating with financial, accounting, tax, and business professionals to ensure efficient and compliant solutions for clients.

Margaret O’Hara is a Law Graduate at Pharmacis Canning Lawyers, where she supports the firm’s family law practice with professionalism, compassion, and a strong commitment to client care. Margaret is passionate about assisting individuals and families as they navigate some of the most significant and emotionally charged moments in their lives. She values the opportunity to help clients feel heard, informed, and supported throughout the legal process. Margaret brings a strong academic foundation and a genuine interest in all aspects of family law, including parenting arrangements, property matters, financial issues, and domestic violence. She is dedicated to developing her skills and expanding her practical experience while contributing meaningfully to the team. Outside her professional commitments, Margaret is an avid dancer and a dedicated baseball enthusiast. She enjoys the creativity and discipline that dance fosters, as well as the strategy, teamwork, and energy that baseball offers. These interests complement her approach to legal practice with balancing focus, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Driven by a desire to make a meaningful difference, Margaret is committed to ongoing learning, growth, and contributing positively to the lives of the clients and communities she serves.

Andrew is a dedicated and driven member of our team with a particular interest in criminal law. He currently works alongside our solicitors across all areas of law, providing both legal and administrative support to ensure the best outcomes for clients. In addition to his work at Pharmacis Canning Lawyers, Andrew plays an active role with My Community Legal (MCL), where he serves as Grants Executive Assistant and Executive Assistant to the Treasurer. These roles are undertaken in close collaboration with the firm’s Principal Solicitor, George Pharmacis, reflecting the firm’s ongoing commitment to supporting community legal services. In these capacities, Andrew assists with grant applications, governance processes, and financial oversight, contributing to the Centre’s continued ability to provide essential services to the community. Andrew is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Laws at Griffith University, with the intention of completing his Practical Legal Training (PLT) through Bond University. He also holds a Diploma of Business (2021), completed as part of his secondary studies. Andrew is passionate about broadening his legal expertise and aspires to establish his future career in the corporate law sector. His combined experience in private practice, community legal work, and ongoing academic development demonstrates his commitment to both professional excellence and social responsibility.

Presantha holds a Bachelor of Commerce with Honours in Accounting from the University of KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa. She completed her articles with KPMG, one of the Big Four accounting firms, and qualified as a Chartered Accountant. She is a member of the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA), reflecting her strong foundation in financial principles and professional integrity. Her career has taken her across borders, having worked with KPMG in South Africa, Canada, and the Cayman Islands, where she gained a broad and practical understanding of global finance and audit practices. Currently, Presantha plays a key role at Pharmacis Canning as a Financial Executive Assistant for the principal, where she is responsible for financial oversight, debt management, and strategic budgeting and planning. Her work ensures the firm remains financially resilient and well-positioned for long-term success. With her analytical insight and forward-thinking approach, she helps guide the organization through both current operations and future growth, ensuring it remains sustainable and thriving for years to come. When she’s not at work, she’s usually wrangling her three energetic kids and embracing life as a full-time soccer mom—cheering from the sidelines, coordinating schedules, and enjoying the beautiful chaos of family life.

Gisele Chaves is a Mechatronics Engineer with experience in project management, innovation, and administrative support. She has worked on projects in both Brazil and Australia, developing strong skills in organisation, problem-solving, and multicultural collaboration. She currently works at Pharmacis Canning Lawyers as an Administrative Assistant and Executive Assistant of the Principal, where she manages client accounts and supports day-to-day operations. Passionate about books and TV shows, Gisele blends analytical thinking with creativity and a human-centred approach, bringing efficiency, care, and consistency to everything she does.

As part of the finance and debt collection team at our firm, I am responsible for developing structured and sustainable payment arrangements that are tailored to each client’s unique financial circumstances. I believe that access to justice should not be limited by temporary financial difficulties, and my role is to ensure that every client has the opportunity to engage skilled legal professionals to represent and protect their interests. My work involves carefully assessing individual situations, communicating openly with clients, and creating practical repayment strategies that are realistic and fair. This approach not only supports our clients in managing their financial commitments with confidence, but also enables our lawyers to focus fully on achieving the best possible legal outcomes. What I find most rewarding is the balance between financial management and human understanding. Debt collection is not simply about recovering money; it is about providing clients with the security of knowing that their legal matters will be handled without compromising their rights or wellbeing. Through clear communication, empathy, and attention to detail, I aim to protect clients’ best interests while contributing to the fairness and integrity of the legal process.

Josephine is a Legal Assistant and Law Clerk at Pharmacis Canning Lawyers, where she provides valuable support to the legal team and assists clients with their needs. She’s currently working toward her Bachelor’s in Criminology and Criminal Justice, and her interest in law drives her commitment to helping the firm run efficiently. As the first point of contact for clients, she answers questions and schedules appointments With her background in criminology, Josephine brings a solid understanding of the legal field to her work. She’s comfortable in a fast-paced environment and pays close attention to the details of her tasks. Known for her friendly and approachable nature, she makes sure clients feel heard and well-supported throughout their experience.