About Stephen Browne Personal Injury Lawyers

OUR EXPERIENCED TEAM

Team Member of Stephen Browne Personal Injury Lawyers

Mary Browne

Legal Practice Manager | Special Counsel

Mary Browne is a Senior Associate and the Legal Practice Director of the Stephen Browne Perth office. She leads a dedicated team of compensation law experts, focused on achieving outstanding outcomes for their clients. Besides her work in Workers’ Compensation, Mary is involved in Stephen Browne’s Public Liability and Criminal Injuries Compensation practice areas.

Mary has more than a decade’s experience working in the legal industry, and was admitted to legal practice in 2013. She studied law at Murdoch University, graduating with distinction. Mary pursued a career in law given it combined her strong verbal advocacy skills and her desire to make a difference in the lives of injured, and often less fortunate, people.

In her personal life, Mary is a qualified yoga instructor and enjoys kick boxing. She speaks conversational Polish, with a basic reading ability. She is a member of both the Law Society of Western Australia and the Australian Lawyers Alliance.

James Lassen

Legal Practice Manager | Senior Associate

James has worked in personal injury law since 2011, starting while he completed his Bachelor of Laws (with Distinction) at Murdoch University. He was admitted to practice in 2016 in the Supreme Court of Western Australia and the High Court of Australia. James has experience in multiple areas of personal injury law, including helping clients who have been injured on the road, while at work or in a public place to access the compensation they deserve. He has a special interest in psychological injury claims and is driven to empower his clients by providing clear, comprehensive and pragmatic advice. Prior to joining the legal industry, James served in the Australian Army and worked for many years in the construction industry. He believes this has given him a unique perspective in his approach and to managing his clients’ claims to ensure the best result.

“I fight extremely hard for my clients and I take pride in ensuring the best possible outcome is achieved. I am always in their corner and I will always stand up for their rights.”

Claire Fowler

Practice Leader | Associate

Claire is an Associate and is the Practice Leader of our motor vehicle accident department at Stephen Browne Lawyers, however she has experience in all areas of personal injury litigation.

Claire completed a Bachelor of Laws at Edith Cowan University followed by a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice with the College of Law. She was admitted to practice as a lawyer of the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2019.

Claire is currently studying her Master of Laws with the College of Law, majoring in mediation and dispute resolution.

In her spare time, Claire is very active and enjoys competitive trail running, cycling, ocean swimming, hiking or spending time with her family and friends. Claire also volunteers as the State Branch Secretary for the Australian Lawyers Alliance and as a Committee Member of the Women Lawyers of Western Australia.

Rising Star Injury & Compensation Law Rising Stars – Western Australia, 2024 – Doyles Guide

Sophie Hegarty

Practice Leader | Senior Associate

Sophie completed a Bachelor of Arts in Law with Criminal Justice at Letterkenny Institute of Technology in Ireland, graduating in 2015. Following this, Sophie migrated to Western Australia and completed a Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at Murdoch University and the University of Western Australia in 2017.

Prior to joining Stephen Browne Lawyers, Sophie commenced her legal career as a paralegal in 2016 at sister company, Bradley Bayly Legal and was admitted as a practitioner of the Supreme Court of Western Australia in June 2018.

Sophie has worked on both sides of personal injury litigation, having represented both plaintiffs and insurers and has experience in workers’ compensation, motor vehicle accidents, fatal accidents, public liability, criminal injuries compensation and institutional childhood sexual abuse claims.

Sophie has also assisted in RSPCA prosecutions, providing advice to the society on a pro bono basis.

Nakkie Le Roux

Practice Leader | Senior Associate

Nakkie is a Practice Leader and Senior Associate based in the Stephen Browne Perth office. Nakkie’s practice focuses on motor vehicle accident compensation but she also manages workers’ compensation and public liability claims.

She has more than two decades’ experience working as a lawyer in personal injury claims and litigation in South Africa and Australia. She obtained her legal qualification at Rand Afrikaans University, Johannesburg and Murdoch University, Perth. She was admitted to legal practice in Western Australia in 2011.

Nakkie has the compassion, skill and experience required to assist injured people in achieving positive outcomes in their personal injury claims. She appreciates how difficult it can be to recover from an injury and enjoys helping injured people get the medical treatment and compensation they deserve.

When not working on interesting cases, Nakkie enjoys spending time in Australia’s great outdoors.

Leading Public Liability Compensation Lawyers (Plaintiff) – Western Australia, 2022 – Doyle’s Guide
Recommended Work Injury Compensation Lawyers (Plaintiff) – Western Australia, 2021 – Doyle’s Guide
Recommended Work Injury Compensation Lawyers (Plaintiff) – Western Australia, 2016 – Doyle’s Guide

Joachim Azzopardi

Senior Associate

Joachim Azzopardi is a Senior Associate, based in Stephen Browne’s Perth office, practicing predominantly in Public Liability and Workers’ Compensation law while also managing Motor Vehicle Accident and Criminal Injuries Compensation claims.

Joachim has practiced in personal injury law for more than a decade and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia and the High Court of Australia in 2013.

Joachim finds it personally rewarding and emotionally fulfilling to use his legal knowledge and experience to make a positive difference to the lives of his clients who have been injured in the workplace and/or through no fault of their own.

In his personal life, Joachim tries to spend as much time as possible on, or near, the water whether that be fishing, surfing or reading a good book. Joachim sits on the board for not-for-profit organisation Fishability which focuses on enhancing the well-being and self-esteem of people living with disabilities through recreational fishing. Joachim is a member of the Law Society of Western Australia.

Chris Browne

Senior Associate

Chris completed a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce at the University of Notre Dame.

After joining the firm in January 2015, Chris completed a Diploma of Legal Practice with the College of Law, and was then admitted as lawyer of the Supreme Court of WA in December 2015.

Chris works in the firms Motor Vehicle department.

Interests include travelling, playing golf and watching football and cricket.

Leading Motor Vehicle Accident Compensation Lawyers (Plaintiff) – Western Australia, 2024 – Doyle’s Guide

Bonnie Whyte

Associate

Bonnie is an Associate, based in the Perth Office, who has specialised in personal injury law since completing her Bachelor of Laws at Notre Dame University in 2017.

Bonnie was admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2018 and spent the beginning of her legal practice providing advice to a range of employer and insurer clients, particularly Workers’ Compensation matters.

Bonnie now manages a range of personal injury claims, specialising in Workers’ Compensation, Criminal Injuries Compensation and Public Liability Matters, and has experience in motor vehicle, professional indemnity and medical negligence claims.

In her time off, Bonnie loves spending her time outdoors and loves travelling WA and overseas.

Lauren McKeown

Senior Solicitor

Having spent more than two decades working in workers’ compensation, Lauren McKeown brings considerable experience to Stephen Browne in this complex, evolving area of law. She has particular expertise in representing workers with claims for complex physical and psychological injuries. In addition, she is well-versed in Public Liability law and has represented clients within the practice area.

Lauren is passionate about assisting her clients, who are understandably struggling due to their injuries, to access their entitlements and receive the support they deserve. Her decision to practise in plaintiff personal injury law stems from her time spent working for insurance agencies, where she witnessed insurers denying claims which, on the available evidence, should have been accepted. Now, as a plaintiff lawyer, Lauren’s developed understanding of how insurers work allows her to anticipate and react to attempts by insurers to deny or reduce claims.

Lauren completed a Bachelor of Science (Health & Safety) at Curtin University, graduating in 2002, following which she worked as a workers’ compensation claims advisor for insurers and a self-insurer.

Lauren studied law at the University of Western Australia, graduating in 2007. She was admitted to practice in 2009 and has worked as a lawyer since. A member of both the Law Society of Western Australia and the Australian Lawyers Alliance, Lauren has a well-developed professional network which aids her pursuit of the best possible outcome for her clients.

Stephen Browne

Retired

Stephen was born in Perth in 1953. He spent much of his early years in Kalgoorlie, where his father was the Federal Member for the seat of Kalgoorlie. His family shifted to Melbourne in 1962, and Stephen went to school there. In 1970 Stephen returned to Perth and completed his final year of secondary schooling at Hale School. Stephen then attended the University of WA where he graduated with a Bachelor of Jurisprudence and a Bachelor of Laws. Stephen then returned to Kalgoorlie and completed his Articles with lawyer and MP, Julian Grill. Following his admission to the Bar, the firm of Grill Browne was established. Whilst in Kalgoorlie Stephen was elected to the Kalgoorlie Town Council. He also played football for the Kalgoorlie football club and captained the North Kalgoorlie Cricket Club. Stephen returned to Perth in 1983 and established the firm, Stephen J Browne. In 1999, the Practice changed its name to its present name, specialising in personal injury law. Outside of the law Stephen is a member of the Sea View Golf Club, where he served as Vice Captain, played cricket for the Claremont- Cottesloe Cricket Club, where he served as a Director.

Stephen is married to Suzette, has three children, Hayley, Andrew and Christopher, and 2 grandchildren. After a celebrated legal career, including numerous recommendations by Doyle’s Guide mentioned below, Stephen retired at the end of 2021.

Keith Taylor

Solicitor

Keith is a Solicitor in our Workers’ Compensation and Public Liability teams based in the Stephen Browne Perth office.

Keith has more than twenty years’ experience working in the legal industry and was admitted to legal practice in the UK in 1992. He worked as a Plaintiff lawyer for victims of industrial injury and occupational disease before becoming an Ombudsman. He also had a judicial appointment in England before relocating to Australia in 2021. He was admitted in WA in 2023. Keith is an accredited civil and commercial mediator.

Keith pursued a career in law driven by his sense of social justice and a desire to help the less fortunate people who needed expert advice.

In his personal life, Keith was recently awarded an in MA in Criminology, plays 8-ball pool and has become an avid follower of AFL and is Dockers fan.

DeInya Naderi-Rad

Solicitor

Based in the Stephen Browne Perth office, Delnya is a distinguished solicitor specialising in Disability Insurance. With a solid foundation in law from Curtin University where she achieved her Bachelor of Law and Commerce, majoring in Marketing in 2020, Delnya brings a combination of legal prowess and strategic thinking to her role. Her commitment was further solidified with her admission to legal practice in the Supreme Court of WA in April 2022.

Driven by a genuine passion for the welfare of others, Delnya chose the path of law. Her inclination towards Personal Injury law isn’t just professional but deeply personal. Having the opportunity to immerse herself in a diverse range of disputes, she feels a particular pull towards representing plaintiff clients. For Delnya, nothing is more rewarding than securing justice for those who need it most.

Beyond her professional commitments, Delnya cherishes the moments spent with her family, diving into a good book, and appreciating the simple joys life has to offer.

For those seeking a dedicated, compassionate, and proficient advocate in the realm of Disability Insurance, Delnya stands as a beacon of hope and determination.

Leanne Downsborough

Senior Paralegal

Leanne is a senior paralegal working in the workers’ compensation field.

Leanne joined the firm in 2003. Prior to joining the firm, Leanne had worked as a paralegal in the personal injury area since 1994.

Her interests include renovating her home, her family, cooking and travel.

Tina Brennan

Senior Paralegal

Tina is a senior paralegal specialising in workers compensation, public liability claims, motor vehicle accidents and criminal injuries compensation.

Tina graduated with a Diploma in Professional Legal Studies in 2003. After completing her Diploma, she was given the opportunity to work at a leading law firm in Ontario, Canada. Tina then went on to work for a top general practice law firm in Dublin, Ireland. After a 6 year career with the firm she decided it was time for a change of scenery (and weather) and moved to sunny Australia where she joined the firm in 2012 and was able to utilise her skills in a new challenging environment.

In her spare time, Tina enjoys reading, travelling and spending time with friends and family.

Jani Theseira

Senior Paralegal

Jani is a senior paralegal with many years of experience in personal injuries. She works under the supervision of Mary Browne to manage a broad portfolio of matters that include workers’ compensation, public liability, motor vehicle and criminal compensation claims.

Jani joined our firm in 2002 as our receptionist. She worked as a legal assistant before being promoted to paralegal in 2007. She left Stephen Browne in 2018 to broaden her experience and returned in 2021.

Jani enjoys her role assisting clients to navigate the often-stressful compensation process to achieve successful, timely outcomes.

Outside of work Jani manages her son’s basketball team and is the co-social coordinator of her children’s football club. In her downtime you’ll find her in her garden, at a karaoke bar and occasionally giving serious thought to regular exercise.

Cheriese Ebert

Senior Paralegal

Cheriese is a Senior Paralegal specialising in Public Liability, MVA, and Workers Compensation.

Cheriese has more than a decade’s experience in the legal industry and is driven to helping her clients achieve the justice they deserve whilst supporting them throughout their journey.

In her personal life Cheriese loves socialising with family, friends and work colleagues and enjoys keeping fit and healthy.

Blaire Bebbington

Senior Paralegal

Blaire is a Senior Paralegal in the Stephen Brown Perth office. She has provided support to clients in personal injury law for over a decade, during which time she has honed her skills in motor vehicle accidents, criminal injury compensation, public liability, medical negligence, workers compensation and catastrophic claims.

Blaire works with determination and compassion, to ensure that each client gets the best possible outcome and service. Knowing that her work can bring justice and peace of mind to someone at a point in their lives when it really makes a difference, makes the work all that more rewarding.

When Blaire’s not working, she’s travelling!

Ana Vanderbijl

Senior Paralegal

Ana is a Senior Paralegal managing personal injury claims for motor vehicle accidents, public liability and workers’ compensation under the supervision of Sophie Hegarty.

Ana found her calling for personal injury law in 2014 and has never looked back. During that time she amassed a wealth of experience and together with Sophie, has helped to achieve great outcomes for their clients.

Her interests include spending time with her family, her two Golden Retrievers and fast cars!