Kel Connelly - Lawyer

Stacks/The Law Firm, Tweed Heads

Tweed Heads

Kel specialises in all areas of Compensation law, conducting matters for individuals in NSW and QLD. He also has experience conducting Commercial Dispute Litigation matters, and Employment matters, such as unfair dismissal cases. Prior to joining Stacks/Northern Rivers in 2005, Kel worked in Magistrates Court Administration in varied senior roles including Coroner, conducting inquests in the country, then as a Chamber Magistrate in Parramatta, before entering private practice in 1979 and becoming a Litigation Partner. As such, he has a wealth of legal experience, and performs the roles of both a lawyer and consultant to other members in the group. An experienced and personable solicitor, Kel is a NSW Law Society Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury, a member of the Australian Lawyers Alliance, and Past President of the Central West Regional Law Society. He has been practicing law for 36 years.

Kel specialises in Motor Vehicle Accident, Workers Compensation, Insurance Disputes and Liability claims. He has conducted a wide variety of cases over the years, including reported matter Mitchell v Central West Health Service, a Workers Compensation case which sets out the steps a Judge must take in making an award under Sect. 40 of the NSW Workers Compensation Act. Kel also achieved a successful result for his client in The Trustees of the Roman Catholic Church for the Diocese of Bathurst v Koffman, a case involving a high school student who was injured while waiting at a bus stop outside his school, and which held that the school had breached its duty of care by not providing adequate supervision for students after school hours.

Kel often conducts matters for international clients who have been involved in accidents whilst holidaying in Australia. He is currently running a case for a Canadian client who was run over by a boat while she was scuba diving, and has a client from San Diego who was involved in a motor vehicle accident in Byron Bay. One of Kel’s key skills is his ability to really listen to his clients and respond with empathy and honesty. His breadth of legal experience means that he has an excellent grasp of Compensation practices and procedures, and he has achieved some outstanding financial results for his clients over the years.

Born and raised in Dubbo, Kel has spent most of his life in the country. The grandfather to three grandchildren, he is a keen golfer and a Past President of the Central West Golden Oldies Rugby Club. Until recently Kel often played for the Central West Old Bulls. He enjoys fishing at various spots around the Tweed area, or in Nelson Bay.

Kel likes to help genuine and deserving country people receive a just result. His expertise in Compensation law is greatly valued by his clients and colleagues alike.