The strength of a law firm lies in its foundation, which is the people who uphold the business each working day. For new firm Keir Steele Lawyers, the foundations are strong. The people upholding the business are skilled, experienced and reinforced with steel – well, Keir and Steele.

For Keir Steele Lawyers, which launched early September, the past weeks have seen the entire team hit the ground running. The firm, which is based in Townsville and led by Principals Moya Steele and Michael (Mick) Keir, has a strong client base locally, regionally and nationally.

Keir Steele Lawyers General Manager Matthew Colleton says the firm is, at its core, based on the 20-year legal friendship between Moya and Mick, who have practiced law together in Townsville for that time.

“The creation of Keir Steele Lawyers gives us the opportunity to work in flexible ways and take advantage of Mick’s experience in business, property, and agribusiness and extend Moya’s strategic planning and development practice, in much greater depth than before,” explains Matthew.

The decision to start their own firm together was a simple one for Moya and Mick, whose vision and values for a new business were well aligned. (That will happen after 20 years together.) Moya says the commercial motivations of the business – to create lasting partnerships with clients and build the success of their businesses – are key to Keir Steele Lawyers.

“We have seen what valuable, honest advice, integrated with what a client seeks to achieve can do to the stability, growth and management of any business and its risks. And we want to do more of it,” Moya explains.

Adding to the legal muscle of the new firm are well-known litigator Paul Sterling, and building and construction Special Counsel Gerard Meade in senior leadership roles. Rounding out the team are lawyers Jess Keir, Matt Keating, Callum Argent, Hannah Wilkinson, and Connor Osborne-Jones, and a skilled support team.

“We have seen what valuable, honest advice, integrated with what a client seeks to achieve can do to the stability, growth and management of any business and its risks. And we want to do more of it.” 

– Moya Steele

As most business owners would attest, staff are a business’ most important asset. Moya and Mick are no different, although, as Moya comments, going through a start up process like this gives you a new found appreciation for the people you work with day in day out.

“The firm’s 20 employees have backed the launch of Keir Steele Lawyers with vigour,” says Moya. “The entire team has engaged with us and the new firm’s ideals and they have been extremely supportive throughout the whole startup process, something we are really grateful for.”

Mick adds: “We have been really heartened by the way in which the whole team is excited about this new step, that sort of enthusiasm is contagious and priceless. It makes our working life a real pleasure.

“It is important to Moya and I that we repay the faith our staff have shown in us, by providing a workplace where people can grow,” continues Mick. “We want to see our team work hard to achieve their career goals (and the client’s) and to enjoy the challenges of doing that, without missing out on the life and lifestyle that living in North Queensland provides.”

The firm’s philosophy of building success is not only strong internally for the business but for the local economy also.

“We are seeing some green shoots around the region, which gives us confidence in starting a new venture,” comments Mick. “There are many local businesses and business people doing their part to grow our region and if we are doing our job right, then we can play our part as well.”

Keir Steele Lawyers is based in Townsville’s CBD. For more information about services, visit keirsteele.com.au.