Who We Are

Bruce Doyle is a specialist accredited family lawyer.  He commenced practice in 1983 and, apart from two years as Solicitor in Charge of Family Law for the Northern Territory Legal Aid Commission in the 1990s, has been in private practice in Brisbane.  Bruce qualified as a mediator and arbitrator over 25 years ago and is a Collaborative Lawyer. He has held part time appointments dealing with:

  • Complex Child Support disputes as Senior Case Officer
  • Complex Child Protection cases as Deputy Chair of the Children’s Services Tribunal.

Bruce has held leadership roles in the profession as:

  • President Queensland Law Society 2011
  • President Family Law Practitioners Association Queensland 1999-2000
  • Law Council of Australia Family Law Section Executive 2001-2
  • Law Council of Australia Director 2010-11

Elizabeth Shearer is a general practitioner, who has worked as a solicitor and manager in a small and large, private and public practices since 1986.  Elizabeth specialises in the legal problems of everyday life, with a unique understanding of how all aspects of the law can impact a particular case.  She is an expert in the provision of Discrete Task or Unbundled Legal Services, and in dealing with clients with complex needs.  Elizabeth also trained as a mediator over 25 years ago, and has held leadership roles in the profession, including a term as President of the Queensland Law Society in 2021. She is currently:

  • An Executive Director of the Law Council of Australia
  • Appointed to all States and Territories’ Professional Standards Councils
  • A Queensland Law Society Senior Counsellor
  • A Member of the Queensland Law Society Ethics Committee and Chair of the Access to Justice Pro Bono Committee.

Our Recent News

Problem solving in a crisis – the general practice lawyer

April 8, 2022

This week, I was reminded of the value the general practice lawyer’s experience and perspective can bring to clients in crisis. Even though we’re there to deal with the varied legal aspects of a crisis, and not to provide personal support, I notice our clients are very comforted by what we do. It’s worth dissecting […]

The general practice solicitor

March 4, 2022

Half of the population experiences a legal problem in any one year. Only half of them ever seek any sort of advice. That is surprising. But what is shocking, is that of those who do seek advice for a legal problem, only around 30% seek advice from a lawyer. The rest ask other people: friends […]

About Shearer Doyle Law

Shearer Doyle Law is a law practice in Brisbane. Bruce Doyle and Elizabeth Shearer established Shearer Doyle Pty Ltd in 2013 to provide practical, individually tailored solutions for people with legal problems.

We act for clients directly, but we also act as independent experts retained to resolve part of a case. This may be alongside the Court Process or instead of going to Court.