Board Members and Executive Assistants

We are pleased to have a diverse, highly-credentialed team on our Board. 

Members and Executive Assistants are drawn from all branches of legal practitioner, legal academic and community organisations.

Ross Lee

Ross Lee

President

Ross Lee has been a solicitor since 1998 following an eight-year insurance career. He values influential, ethical legal practise, keeping in touch with clients, cost efficiencies and results. Lee Lawyers does not advertise – reputation is its currency.

An effective litigation advocate and nationally-accredited mediator, Ross resolves client disputes in commercial, building, property, body corporate, insolvency and estate matters. Legal risk management is a special interest. Ross has a strong practice in general insurance, life insurance and compensation claims. He is one of few lawyers accredited as an ANZIIF Certified Insurance Professional (CIP). Prior to law, Ross practised as an underwriter and loss adjuster – giving great insight, now working for the insured.

A QLS Senior Counsellor since 2013, Ross is also a commissioned Notary Public – a requirement for international matters. He comes from a long line of service in the Gold Coast community and is founding president of My Community Legal.

David Lobbezoo

David Lobbezoo

Vice President, Collaborations

David is a Consultant for Paul Dent Lawyers, Carrara where he focuses on business, commercial, property and succession law. He has extensive experience in business sales and acquisitions, franchising, commercial and retail leasing, property sales and estate planning and administration. David is committed to providing the best possible legal service at a fee that is attractive to his clients.

David has volunteered as a solicitor for My Community Legal since 2020 and brings over 35 years of experience in the legal profession to his role as Vice President. He has a passion for using the law to help people, believes it is essential to support the next generation of lawyers and to give back to the community.

George Pharmacis

George Pharmacis

Treasurer, Major Events

George Pharmacis is the Principal of Pharmacis Canning Lawyers, originally Canning Lawyers, serving the Gold Coast for over 20 years. George holds a Bachelor of Laws (Bond) and Post Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (Bond). Having achieved a First Place in Electronic Banking Law, he went on to Corporate and Commercial Law Specialisation and General Legal Practice Specialisation.

George specialises in Criminal, Domestic Violence, Family Law, Wills, Estate Planning and Probate, Litigation and Dispute Resolution and he is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court and High Court of Australia.

Although George has been practising law for many years it is his strong commitment to the community that benefits his clients the most.  George has adopted the Latin phrase ‘Esse quam videri ‘ (To be, rather than to seem) as his motto, which sums up his personal character and business practice particularly well. Using his innate ability to quickly assess and weigh up a client’s options, George focuses on achieving the best outcome for the client while endeavouring to avoid expensive time consuming litigation.

Mechelle Blue

Mechelle Blue

Secretary, Indigenous Relations

I am in my final year of the Bachelor of Laws at Southern Cross University. I completed a Diploma of Crime and Justice Studies in 2020 with Tafe Queensland. In 2021 I received the Southern Cross University Fred Herron Prize for Mediation for achieving the best result in Mediation and Dispute Resolution. I am interested in a range of areas of law and am motivated by the underpinning ideal that justice should be accessible to all.

I began volunteering with My Community Legal as an Advice Night Volunteer in November 2021, and I currently hold the positions of Team Leader and Cultural Officer at the Robina offices. Volunteering with My Community Legal is a rewarding experience that has contributed to my professional development while providing me the opportunity to participate in an initiative that serves the community’s interests.

Chris Barron

Chris Barron

Board Member, Social

I’m a Managing Partner of Collas Moro Ross and practice predominantly in Litigation and Commercial law. I’m experienced in representation and dispute resolution as a solicitor advocate, and regularly appear for clients in matters across various jurisdictions.

I strive to meet my client’s expectations to offer no-nonsense, practical and commercial solutions when they come to us with their disputes or other legal issues. I am also currently admitted to candidature in the Master of Laws LLM (Applied Law) majoring in commercial litigation with the College of Law, with the goal of eventually becoming an Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation.

Andrew Bell

Andrew Bell

Board Member, Compliance

Andrew is an experienced IT systems professional and admitted solicitor. Andrew is an expert in large systems implementations, data, and reporting, having worked in some of Australia’s largest corporate and government organisations.

Andrew has proven experience working projects from planning stages through to final delivery, with emphasis on client outcomes.

Andrew maintains professional emphasis on the production of detailed technical documentation, workforce planning and change management to accompany IT infrastructure. Andrew shares his systems expertise as the IT Coordinator for My Community legal.

Mitch Brown

Mitch Brown

Board Member, Community Engagement

Elizabeth Englezos

Elizabeth Englezos

Board Member, Griffith University Engagement

Elizabeth Englezos is a lecturer and Ph.D candidate at the Griffith Law School, Griffith University.

She is a former volunteer with the Refugee and Immigration Legal Service, Brisbane and editor of the Griffith Journal of Law and Human Dignity.

Elizabeth holds degrees in laws from Griffithy University and Pharmacy from the University of Sydney.

Miranda Podleska

Miranda Podleska

Board Member, Bond University Engagement

Miranda is an admitted Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and High Court of Australia.

Miranda holds a Bachelor of Economics degree from the University of Tasmania, Graduate Diploma in Applied Finance and Investment from the Australian Securities Institute and Diploma of Law from the New South Wales Legal Profession Admission Board. She completed her Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at Bond University.

Miranda commenced her professional career in banking and finance and prior to entering legal practice she worked exclusively in building and property development for over a decade.   Miranda’s key areas of legal practice are commercial and property law and her extensive experience gives her a sound understanding of the needs of clients who operate in the business and corporate sector.

Miranda joined Bond University in 2017 and teaches Property Law Practice, Banking and Finance Law and Corporate and Commercial Practice in the Centre for Professional Education.

Associate Professor, Mandy Shircore

Associate Professor, Mandy Shircore

Board Member, Southern Cross University Engagement

Mandy is an experienced legal academic and lawyer. She has held leadership positions in the tertiary sector including Head of Law at James Cook University and Associate Dean of Teaching and Learning.

With a passion for access to justice and community law, Mandy has developed and coordinated clinical legal education opportunities for students domestically and internationally. Her work has been recognised through university and community awards.

Throughout her career, Mandy has held numerous governance positions on NGO Boards and Community Organisations.

Andrew Perju

Andrew Perju

Executive Assistant to President

Andrew Ibrahim

Andrew Ibrahim

Executive Assistant to Treasurer

As a focused and driven student, I believe I can fulfill any role and support their goals. My history of academic success and collaborative contributions illustrate a high level of dedication. I believe your organizational mission and my career path are well-aligned for a successful future.

I bring strong leadership aspirations and key strengths in collaboration, customer service, and critical thinking. Focused on continued growth and progress, I am skilled in improving operations and processes while inspiring teams to deliver superior performance.