Nathan Donovan | Director
Nathan is a Brisbane based lawyer. Nathan loves the outdoors. When’s he’s not mountain biking (he has the scars to prove his foolhardy commitment to the sport), Nathan is pleading with his children to stop playing computer games and go hiking (or at least to go outside). Nathan is a coffee snob who cringes every time he listens to himself smugly ordering a doppio. He also breaks the cardinal rules of good social manners by happily talking about politics and religion. Nathan is an active member of his local church and volunteer director and advisor to a number of charities.
Profile and Experience
Nathan has practiced as a solicitor in Queensland since 2005.
Nathan has a broad and well-rounded practice including not-for-profit and charity law, commercial law, dispute resolution, property law and wills and estate law.
Nathan is a sought-after legal advisor who is valued for his insightful legal analysis and his capacity to help navigate client’s safely and as quickly as possible through legal issues.
Nathan’s client’s include schools, churches, charities, SMEs and individuals. His experience includes:
Charity/NFP Law
- Charity/NFP establishment and registrations including preparing bespoke constitutions;
- Charity law tax and duty advice;
- Governance and regulatory advice (including ACNC, privacy law, Non-State-School’s Accreditation Board);
- Discrimination law advice, including for faith-based school sectors; and
- Charity and church mergers and acquisitions and restructures.
Commercial Law
- Mergers and acquisitions, including business sales and share sales;
- Business succession and company restructure;
- Asset protection advice; Shareholder Agreements;
- Business partnership disputes;
- Employment advice, including employment contracts and advice on termination; and
- Preparing business terms and conditions
- Leases (Landlord and Tenant)
- Banking and Finance (including loans, mortgages and security)
Dispute Resolution
- Commercial legal proceedings in Queensland Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, District Court and Magistrates Court and Federal Court
- Experienced negotiator.
Recent Papers
Nathan regularly presents at conferences. Some recent papers include:
- Insurance Update: Navigating Options and Limitations and Optimising Policies. Delivered to LawSense School Law Conference, 7 June 2023
- Privacy Reforms and Impacts on School Policies and Planning. Delivered to LawSense: School ICT Law Conference, 12 September 2023
- An Unholy Alliance: Religious Advancement, PBIs and Taxation, Delivered to TVED 5th Religious Institutions Conference, 13 October 2023
- Overseas Trips and Exchanges: Navigating Obligations and Implementing Best Practice Risk Assessment and Management. Delivered to LawSense School Law Conference, 10 May 2024.
Board Experience
Nathan has served on a number of school, church and charity boards and audit and risk committees. He currently sits on the board of Outback Futures Limited, a Queensland-based PBI.
Kristel Winkler | Director
Kristel Winkler is a Brisbane based lawyer, married, and mum to five beautiful girls. In her down moments she loves reading and is a particularly avid history buff. She loves to surf and fish, although in recent days she is more likely to be found building sandcastles on the shore with her children. Being raised on cattle farms, she loves the outdoors and to garden, and when motivation strikes will evict the weeds from her vege patch and plant up a storm. Kristel is active in her local church and in the community, serving on the governance committees of schools and churches.
Kristel was admitted to the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2008.
Kristel’s fields of practice include charity and not for profit law, business & corporate law, contracts & property law, wills & estates, and elder law.
Kristel’s clients include not for profit and charitable entities, including churches and schools throughout Australia, and she aims to provide them with full service within the commercial division of the practice, including:
- Establishment of charity and business structures
- Drafting constitutions, governance documents, rules and governance policies
- Tax issues, tax & duty concessions for charities and not for profit entities
- Philanthropic structures
- Director and governance duties
- Policy development, general advice, and dispute resolution
- Mergers & acquisitions
- Property transactions
- Contract drafting and review, including terms & conditions
- Attending board and general meetings to provide advice and guidance
Kristel’s clients have included:
- Charities, and not for profits including public benevolent institutions, churches and parachurch organisations, schools, child care centres, aged care facilities, retirement villages, cultural and environmental charities;
- Businesses, from large corporations to small business owners; and
- Individuals, including conveyancing, wills and estates, estate disputes, granny flat agreements, dispute resolution.
Kristel has extensive experience advising on governance matters and assisting educational institutions in their dealings with the ACNC, ATO, ACECQA, Non-State Schools Accreditation Board, Queensland Independent Schools Block Grant Authority and various other stakeholders.
Recent Published Cases
Montessori Children’s Foundation v Commissioner of State Revenue [2025] QCAT 63: Kristel acted for the applicant in this matter which concerned a dispute regarding exemption from stamp duty liability sought by a charitable trust from the Queensland Revenue Office. The Tribunal considered the primary question as to whether “the Trust” satisfied the common law test for “an institution” , and consequently, whether it was entitled to registration pursuant to s 149C(1) of the Taxation Administration Act. The Applicant successfully argued that the Trust was more than a “mere trust”. Orders were made that the Applicant be registered as a charitable institution under the Act, with the judicial member setting aside the Respondent’s objection decision.
Recent Experience
- Large Acquisitions – Acquisition of a large school site by large educational institution from the Queensland Government, including internal licencing arrangements.
- Mergers & Acquisitions – Acquisition of large religious institution(s) by another religious institution, including complex trust considerations, real and personal property transactions, duty considerations, capital gains & GST issues, transfer of employees, dealing with control of multiple entities and novation of various contractual arrangements.
- Corporate Restructures – Restructure of national charity comprising various entities existing for differing charitable purposes, and including transfer of employees and property, and implementation of inter-entity management and services agreements.
- Business Acquisitions – sale and purchase of child care centres by large school; acquisition of retirement villages by large corporate client
- Charitable endorsements – dealing with complex and novel concepts around the definition of charity and religion, successfully answering notices of intention to refuse application for charitable registration with ACNC
- Incorporation of unincorporated entities (churches, charities and not for profits).
- Corporate Governance – “on call’ legal and corporate governance advice for board and corporate governance & risk committees of multiple national and state-based schools and charities.
- Financial institutions – advising large charitable lenders in relation to inter-company loans, Banking Act & AML/CTF Act compliance.
- Retirement Village – Acting for freehold retirement village operator managing residence and sale contracts for the sale and purchase of units, general advice regarding compliance and policies
- Structuring advice and implementation for denominational body.
Recent Papers
- Factoring Aged Care into Estate Planning – Delivered for TVED 19 April 2024
- Aged Care Residency Arrangements & the Estate Plan – Delivered for TVED 15 June 2021
- Boomers Beware – Providing Advice on Residential Property Options for the Older Generation -Delivered for TVED on 19 January 2021
Board Experience
Kristel sits on the board of Good Shepherd Christian School in Albany Creek, Queensland. She also sits on the board of HopePointe Church in Moodlu, Queensland.
Kristel formerly sat on the management committee of the Christian Lawyers Association (Inc).
Kathleen Stonehouse | Senior Associate
Kathleen Stonehouse is a Brisbane based lawyer, married, and with a bucket list full of artistic pursuits! However, with an extraverted toddler, new baby, escapee ‘inside’ cat, and excitable dog in tow, she’s more likely to unwind with an ‘arty’ action movie. At work, Kathleen enjoys connecting with clients to support their charitable goals for the broader public benefit, as well as their personal goals for stewarding and passing on an inheritance. She is driven by working collaboratively with others to provide clear advice and positive outcomes.
Kathleen holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Bachelor of Media and Communication with Distinction, and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the Queensland University of Technology. She was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia in 2013 and has worked for over 10 years advising individuals and organisations in areas including not for profit & charity law, wills & estates, and trade marks & personal property securities law.
Kathleen has experience advising and assisting clients in a variety of areas, including:
- Not for profit & charity structures, and restructuring
- Deductible gift recipient structures
- Drafting constitutions, governance documents, rules, and governance policies
- Tax issues, tax & duty concessions
- Public fundraising
- Director and governance duties & compliance
- Charitable mergers, acquisitions, and winding up
- Trade mark registration & protection
- Personal property security interests, including registration, enforcement, and releases
- Establishment of family discretionary trusts and private companies
- Wills & estate planning, including succession planning for entities
- Testamentary trusts, including special disability trusts in Wills
- Enduring Powers of Attorney & Advanced Health Directives
- Advice for Executors, including testamentary capacity issues
- Applications for Grants of Representation, including Probate of informal and missing Wills
- Estate administration (all aspects)
- Negotiation and settlement of estate disputes, including family provision applications
Board Experience
Kathleen sits on the board of M4 Australia Ltd, and of Questioning Christianity Ltd, a charity helping to connect the Christian story to life’s deepest questions.
Kathleen previously sat on the Council of Good News Lutheran School and Kenmore Church of Christ.
Jessica Michael | Lawyer
Jessica is a Brisbane based lawyer who is passionate about people and advocacy.
When she isn’t working or studying, Jessica likes to cuddle her very affectionate Golden Retriever, explore scenic walking trails across Brisbane and grow her collection of indoor plants.
Jessica is an active member of her local church and she regularly volunteers with parachurch organisations that provide support to University students living in Brisbane.
Jessica graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from Queensland University of Technology (QUT) in 2022 and holds a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the College of Law. She was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland in 2023.
Jessica has previously worked as an advocate for at risk university students as an Academic Advocacy Officer at the QUT Guild.
Jessica is the University Ministry Coordinator her local church and the University Ministry Team Leader at Red Frogs Australia.
Matthew Stone | Lawyer
Matthew is a Brisbane based lawyer with a focus on commercial law and commercial litigation, and who brings a wealth of real-world experience to his practice.
Before earning his dual degree in Law and Property and Real Estate, he owned and operated a successful plumbing and gas fitting business.
Matthew is married and has recently become a father.
Matthew graduated with a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Property and Real Estate from Deakin University in 2023 and holds a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the College of Law. He was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria in March 2024.
Matthew has previously worked as a paralegal in the areas of planning and property law, including assisting with planning matters before the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal and the Supreme Court of Victoria.
He has also received his Certified Practicing Valuer accreditation and is an Accredited Fellow of the Australian Property Institute (API).
Harry Burgess | Law Clerk
Harry is a Law Clerk and life-long Brisbane local. Soon to graduate with a dual degree in law and journalism, he has a special interest in news, media, and the internet.
He has a passion for food, with a particular taste for low and slow barbeque. His other interests include boxing, reading, and the cinema.
Cara Morcom | Office Manager
Cara Morcom is our Office Manager, married, and a mum of two gorgeous girls. Cara immigrated from South Africa more than ten years ago and is convinced that Brisbane is one of the greatest cities in the world! In her down time, she loves crafting, sewing, and baking.
Spending time with the family over the weekend usually involves walks along the bay, exploring the great outdoors, and seeking out the array of markets and activities that Brisbane has to offer.
Cara is an active member and volunteer at her local church and enjoys community events.
Cara has a long history of management roles stretching over twenty years in a variety of industries. When it comes to the legal field, she has worked in financial, paralegal, and customer service positions and brings with her a wealth of industry experience.
Cara has Tafe qualifications in Bookkeeping and holds a B-Tech National Diploma in Photography.
Samantha Sowter | Receptionist/Personal Assistant
Samantha serves as our Receptionist and Personal Assistant to both Nathan and Kristel. She has a keen interest in fashion, enjoys iced oat milk lattes, and has a passion for medieval history.
Outside of work, Samantha enjoys browsing Pinterest, spending time with her two adorable (and slightly chubby) cats, and exploring new cafes.
Samantha brings a wealth of experience from various roles in retail and customer service. Since completing high school, she has further developed her skills through a range of courses.