Our Team
Liz Catton
LEGAL PRACTITIONER, ACCREDITED FAMILY LAW SPECIALIST
Liz has been recommended as a leading Family and Divorce Lawyer for the Sunshine Coast on the Doyle’s list in 2018, 2019 and 2020.
Before specialising as a Family Lawyer, Liz practised in the areas of commercial and corporate law in Brisbane. She was the Principal Lawyer on the team responsible for significant reforms to natural resources legislation in Qld drafting the Water Act 2000 and worked in-house for NAB and the Australian Banking Industry Ombudsman.
Liz draws upon her broader legal background to complement the skills she has developed providing family law advice in Central and South East Queensland since 2004. Liz was the Co-Practice Group Leader for a large family law division of a national law firm immediately prior to establishing Catton & Tondelstrand Lawyers. Liz understands that clients can be overwhelmed by their situation. She takes the time to listen to her clients concerns and to deliver well considered practical advice. Liz is skilled in Court litigation as well as alternatives for resolving disputes such as mediation and arbitration.
Qualifications and Professional memberships:
Bachelor of Laws (Hons) QUT
Master of Laws QUT
Accredited Family Law Specialist
Admitted Supreme Court of Queensland
Admitted Supreme Court of Victoria
Admitted High Court of Australia
Member Law Council of Australia (Family Law Section)
Member Family Law Practitioners Association
Member Queensland Law Society
Volunteer Suncoast Community Legal Service
Member Sunshine Coast Law Association
Member Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network
Member BNI Northern Lights, Mooloolaba
Past Director, Australian Corporate Lawyers Association
Past inaugural President of the Mackay Regional Community Legal Centre
Angela Tondelstrand
LEGAL PRACTITIONER, ACCREDITED FAMILY LAW SPECIALIST
Angela has been recommended in Doyle’s List as Leading Family Lawyer, Sunshine Coast, 2020, Leading parenting and children’s matters lawyer, Sunshine Coast, 2019, Leading family and divorce lawyer, Sunshine Coast, 2019 and Recommended family and divorce lawyer, Sunshine Coast, 2018.
Angela has practiced almost exclusively in family law since her admission in 2004 and became a Queensland Law Society Accredited Specialist in 2011. Angela was the Co-Practice Group Leader for a large family law division of a national law firm immediately prior to establishing Catton & Tondelstrand Lawyers.
Angela works hard to assist clients in traversing the pathway between separation and settlement, by carefully listening and strategizing the best outcome at the soonest opportunity. Angela has a wealth of experience in all areas of family law, from complex property settlements to simple consent orders, binding financial agreements (pre-nuptial, post-nuptial, or cohabitation), parenting disputes, court proceedings, child support and domestic violence.
Angela resolves disputes through a variety of means including written negotiations, round table conferences, mediations, and where necessary, court proceedings.
Qualifications and Professional memberships:
Double degree: Bachelor of Business (economics) and Laws QUT
QLS Accredited Family Law Specialist
Admitted Supreme Court of Queensland
Admitted High Court of Australia
Member Law Council of Australia (Family Law Section)
Member Family Law Practitioners Association
Member Queensland Law Society
Member Sunshine Coast Law Association
Member Sunshine Coast Business Women’s Network
Adele Meredith
office manager
Adele brings a wealth of experience to our team. She has a Bachelor of Information Studies from Charles Sturt University specialising in Librarianship. For the past 17 years Adele has worked on the Sunshine Coast and interstate as a paralegal primarily in the areas of family law, child protection, succession law and conveyancing.
Adele oversees and develops our information systems through automation and record management for the benefit of our clients and is responsible for general office management. Adele thrives on organisation and drives our team to ensure we can deliver the best outcomes for our clients.
When not at work or enjoying time with her family Adele can be found coordinating local book club meetings or enjoying some reading time herself.
Chloe English
lawyer
Joining the CTL family in January 2021 Chloe has quickly become a valued team member.
She holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from QUT and a Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Art History and English Literature, from the University of Queensland.
Chloe is passionate about assisting clients through what can be a very challenging time in their life and finds great fulfilment in family law. Outside of work, Chloe enjoys cooking, baking and gardening.
Rohit Maharaj
LAWYER
Highly educated, Rohit is a seasoned Family Lawyer and an accredited Mediator who has had his own successful practice in Victoria prior to relocating to the Sunshine Coast in 2021.
His areas of expertise is now focussed solely on family law, but in the past he has also practiced in both Wills & Estates and Criminal Law which only serves to enhance his current focus.
Highly skilled at mediation and family dispute resolution Rohit has quickly become a valued member of our team and his gentle, kind disposition means clients are very comfortable from their first meeting.
With string values based on family and community, Rohit believes in giving back and over the years has worked with migrants assisting them to address legal issues and providing access to Alternative Dispute Resolution, relationship counselling, pre-litigation mediation, conciliation, and round table conferencing. He has also provided pro bono advice assisting in the areas of Domestic Violence and Children’s issues.
Kris Barnes
finance manager
With an extensive background in accounting and financial services Kris has worked for some of Australia’s largest and iconic organisations including AMP, ING and ANZ Funds Management.
Kris became a Chartered Account before serving 15 years in the funds management industry and completed an MBA during that time. Kris used those skills gained in operations and project management, focussed his career on implementing business integrations that would benefit businesses as they grew by streamlining and automating systems that would enhance the customer experience while ensuring the business remained agile and financial.
Kris relocated from Sydney in 2005 and worked for a highly respected local law firm specialising in commercial law from 2013 before joining us in March 2021.
Community minded Kris has freely given his time over the years, to many not-for profits on the Sunshine Coast including Nambour Festival Inc, Rotary Club of Nambour, Children’s Therapy Centre and Woombye Care Inc.
Amanda Raines
ADMIN assistaNT
Amanda, along with a team of admin assistants, provides support to our Directors.
Amanda excels at multi- tasking, a skill she employs at work and at home where she and her husband are kept busy raising their four children.
Amanda has developed a keen interest in family law support and enjoys her interaction with our clients.
Shannon Cook
ADMIN Assistant
Shannon joined the CTL team in October 2020 and provides admin support to Liz Catton as well as to the broader team.
Having previously worked in a large accounting firm she has a solid background in companies and trusts.
Her efficient manner and attention to detail coupled with her bubbly, outgoing personality is appreciated by clients and the team.
When not at work Shannon loves to spend time with her family and friends, enjoying all the Sunshine Coast has to offer.
Laura Rush
Reception
Laura joined Catton & Tondelstrand in 2020 and brings with her a wealth of experience in client-facing roles where she was highly regarded for her exceptional customer service and people skills.
Having previously held roles in both the banking and hospitality sectors Laura joins us as our “Director of First Impressions”.
Laura is passionate about making a difference and this is evidenced by the many volunteer roles she has held over the years.