Providing exceptional advice for over 130 years.

James is a skilled family lawyer with a particular focus on complex and rural property disputes, as well as children’s matters involving allegations of violence or abuse. Raised in Toowoomba, he returned to the region in 2019 after studying at the University of Queensland and working as a paralegal in a top-tier boutique family law practice in Brisbane.

At Wonderley Family Law, James enjoys collaborating with other lawyers to find novel approaches to solving legal problems. He is dedicated to providing accessible and understandable advice that achieves the best possible outcomes for his clients.

James has experience in property settlement matters of all sizes, from major multi-generational farming enterprises to family businesses. He works closely with experts such as accountants, financial planners, and commercial and taxation focused solicitors within the firm to bring a wrap-around approach that helps his clients find workable long-term solutions to their property disputes.

In addition to property matters, James has worked on parenting and children’s matters involving serious allegations, such as child abuse, domestic violence, and serious mental health issues. He is a member of the Family Law Pathways Steering Committee, which provides professional networking and training opportunities for solicitors and other professionals involved in the family law system.

Lyn joined the team at Wonderley Family Law in 2022, bringing with her significant experience in the areas of family law, wills and estates, and general practice. With her primary focus on family law matters, Lyn provides valuable guidance and advice to clients in various areas.

In parenting matters, Lyn advises clients on creating effective parenting plans and addressing living arrangements. She assists in determining sole parental responsibility or establishing equal parental responsibility and shared care arrangements. Lyn also advocates for the rights of grandparents and assists in urgent applications for relocation or recovery.

Lyn's expertise extends to property disputes, where she provides legal advice and representation for de facto and matrimonial property settlements. She guides clients through the complexities of superannuation splitting and offers assistance in spousal maintenance matters, including urgent and interim claims. Lyn is knowledgeable in obtaining Child Maintenance Orders for dependent adult children and helps clients establish binding financial agreements.

With extensive experience in handling high-risk parenting matters, Lyn is well-versed in navigating cases involving the Evatt or Critical Incident List or Magellan List. She is familiar with court pathways involving the appointment of an Independent Children's Lawyer (ICL), Child Impact Report, and Family Reports.

Lyn's property practice includes dealing with larger and complex asset pools, often comprised of various entities and intergenerational interests. Her comprehensive understanding of the legal landscape enables her to provide strategic advice and effective representation to achieve favorable outcomes for her clients in family law, wills and estates, and general practice.

Jomandie Van der Merwe brings with her a wealth of legal experience and a deeply personal understanding of resilience, having built her career across two continents. Originally from South Africa, Jomandie immigrated to Australia in 2008 and quickly set her sights on continuing her legal journey.

After completing her LLB through the University of South Africa, Jomandie undertook further studies in Australian law to meet local admission requirements—balancing study with full-time work in regional New South Wales. Her commitment paid off when she was admitted as a solicitor in both the Supreme Court of NSW and the High Court of Australia in 2014.

Jomandie spent nearly a decade at regional NSW law firm Noyce Salmon & D’Aquino, where she progressed to the role of salaried partner and built a strong practice in family law and litigation. In 2023, she stepped back from legal practice to support her family’s farming business before relocating to South East Queensland.

Now admitted in Queensland and practicing with Wonderley & Hall, Jomandie is known for her empathetic approach, strong technical skill, and her ability to navigate complex family matters with care and clarity. Fluent in Afrikaans, she is passionate about helping clients through some of life’s most difficult chapters—always with practical advice, compassion, and confidence.

Will Smith is a dedicated Paralegal in the Family Law team at Wonderley & Hall, supporting clients with compassion, precision, and a strong understanding of the legal system. With a genuine interest in helping families navigate challenging circumstances, Will plays a key role in assisting solicitors with legal research, document preparation, and client communication.

Currently completing his law degree, Will brings a fresh perspective and a strong work ethic to every case he’s involved in. His attention to detail and calm, approachable nature make him a valued member of the team and a trusted point of contact for clients during emotionally sensitive matters.

Passionate about family law, Will is driven by the opportunity to support individuals through pivotal moments in their lives and is committed to making a meaningful difference through his work.

Gemma, a born and raised Toowoomba local, joined Wonderley Family Law in 2018, quickly becoming an integral part of our family law team with her previous experience in the field.

With a passion for helping clients navigate family law matters, Gemma is committed to providing empathetic, personalised, and effective support to both our family law team and to our clients. She is known for her ability to build strong relationships with clients and is dedicated to helping achieve the best possible outcomes for them.

In her spare time, Gemma enjoys gardening, staying fit with her furry friends, Frankie and Amelia, and exploring the great outdoors.

Katrina Lowe is the Secretary to Director Craig Thompson and a valued member of the Wonderley & Hall team. With a warm and approachable manner, Katrina brings strong organisational skills and attention to detail to her role, ensuring seamless support across Craig’s client matters and day-to-day operations.

Known for her efficiency and professionalism, Katrina is often the first point of contact for clients and plays a key role in maintaining Wonderley & Hall’s high standard of service.

In 2020, Rebecca joined Wonderley Family Law, bringing her extensive experience and expertise to the firm. Although originally from another place, Rebecca's family moved to Toowoomba when she was just eight years old, allowing her to call this vibrant community her home.

With a career spanning over two decades, Rebecca began her journey as a trainee Legal Secretary back in 1995. Her wealth of experience shines through as she diligently supports the solicitors she works with and serves as a reliable resource for the clients who entrust their legal matters to them.

Beyond her professional endeavors, Rebecca finds joy and solace in her personal pursuits. When she's not hard at work, you can often find her tending to her garden, cultivating a beautiful and serene oasis. Additionally, Rebecca channels her creativity into crafting exquisite quilts, creating treasured keepsakes for her beloved family and friends.

Rebecca's dedication, experience, and genuine passion for her craft make her an invaluable asset to the team at Wonderley Family law.

Matt Gilchrist is a dynamic executive leader with over 30 years of experience driving strategic growth, operational excellence, and business transformation across a range of industries. As Practice Manager at Wonderley & Hall, he brings a wealth of leadership expertise and a proven track record in scaling service-based businesses and optimising day-to-day operations.

With a strong background in governance, compliance, stakeholder engagement, and legislative interpretation, Matt has delivered impactful outcomes in both private and regulated environments. His approach is driven by innovation, continuous improvement, and a deep commitment to leading high-performing teams.

His career highlights include launching and growing a successful skin cancer clinic, implementing advanced IT systems to improve compliance and care, and delivering significant cost savings across multi-site operations.

Matt’s technical acumen and people-first leadership style make him a valuable addition to the Wonderley & Hall team as the firm continues to grow and serve communities across Queensland.

Craig first joined the firm in 1993 as an article clerk before becoming a partner in 1998. 

Outside of work Craig is pasionate about car racing and is a member of both the the Qld Historic Touring Car Association. and the Historic Racing Car Club Qld Inc.  

Damian joined the firm in 1999 before becoming a partner in 2004.  

Outside of work Damian is a passionate musician and singer.