About Stephen Browne Personal Injury Lawyers

OUR EXPERIENCED TEAM

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.

Rebecca Pendrill

General Manager

Rebecca was appointed the General Manager in August 2024 and is also a Senior Associate lawyer at Bradley Bayly Legal (a law firm which is related to Stephen Browne Lawyers in its ownership and operation). Since her admission as a practitioner to the Supreme Court of Western Australia in 2014, Rebecca has been involved in many complex civil litigation matters, with her primary area of practice involving the representation of catastrophically injured plaintiffs, up to and including trial. Rebecca continues some work in her role as Senior Associate at the related firm, in addition to her managerial position at Stephen Browne Lawyers.

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James Lassen

Legal Practice Director | Special Counsel

James has worked in personal injury law since 2011. He combines his legal work with practice management at Stephen Browne Personal Injury Lawyers, leading and supporting our talented teams to deliver high-quality legal representation.

James completed a Bachelor of Laws (with Distinction) at Murdoch University. In 2016 James was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Western Australia and the High Court of Australia.

Experienced in multiple areas of personal injury law, James is a passionate advocate for his clients who have been injured:

On the road

At work

In a public place

James is committed to securing the compensation his clients deserve. He has a special interest in psychological injury claims and is driven to empower his clients by providing clear, comprehensive and pragmatic advice.

Before joining Stephen Browne Personal Injury Lawyers James served in the Australian Army and worked for many years in the construction industry. This experience has given James a unique perspective in building and managing his clients’ claims to ensure the best outcomes.

“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 | Senior Associate

Claire is an Senior 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

Mary Browne

Special Counsel

Mary Browne is a Special Counsel at 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.

Joachim Azzopardi

Special Counsel

Joachim is Special Counsel in the Perth office of Stephen Browne Personal Injury Lawyers. He has over a decade of experience in personal injury law, having been admitted to the Supreme Court of Western Australia and the High Court of Australia in 2013.

Joachim advocates for clients who have been injured:

On the road

In a public place

At work

Due to a crime

Joachim finds it professionally and personally rewarding to use his legal knowledge and experience to positively impact his clients’ lives, after they were injured through no fault of their own.

Giving back to his community is important for Joachim. He is a board member of not-for-profit organisation Fishability, which provides accessible fishing opportunities for children and adults living with disabilities, to enhance their well-being. Joachim is a member of the Law Society of Western Australia.

Away from practising law, Joachim tries to spend as much time as he can on or near the water — recreational fishing, surfing or reading a good book.

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

Senior Associate

Bonnie is an Senior 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.

DeInya Naderi-Rad

Senior Solicitor

Based in the Stephen Browne Perth office, Delnya is a distinguished senior 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.

Tom Prior

Solicitor

Tom Prior is a member of the Law Society and the Australian Lawyers Alliance. Specialising in Motor Vehicle Accidents, Public Liability & Workers’ Compensation, Tom looks to bring justice to those who deserve it.

Tom’s variety of experience working for both plaintiff’s and defendant’s gives him a balanced perspective on claims.

Alex Copeland

Solicitor

Based in Stephen Browne’s Perth office, Alex is a solicitor in our Motor Vehicle Accident, Workers’ Compensation, Public Liability and Criminal Injuries Compensation teams.

Prior to joining Stephen Browne Personal Injury Lawyers, Alex balanced his university studies with valuable professional experience working in boutique personal injury firms as a legal assistant and paralegal.

In his final year of legal studies at Murdoch University, Alex completed a Refugee Law unit in Geneva, Switzerland and visited United Nations sites. This has broadened and informed Alex’s perspective on Australian and international law.

Alex enjoys working as a part of a team to reach workplace goals. He is committed to achieving the best outcomes for his clients. You can find Alex on LinkedIn here.

“My greatest strength is my ability to understand and explain various legal issues to my clients. I listen to each client’s experience to understand how their injury has impacted their life, and work to find the legal solution that best suits them.”

Awards and Rankings

What Our Clients Say…

Over the last 30 years we have worked hard to deliver our clients outstanding results and ensuring they get the compensation they rightly deserve.

Thank you so much for going above and beyond the call of your job and really caring about my health and situation. I wish you the best of luck in the future and hope you get back a bit of what you give out every day to all your clients./p>

Michaela

I have received the compensation which is much more than I expected. I still need some exercise for my back, but luckily I have almost recovered 100%. I believe this is a gift from God. Thank you again for your friendly and professional work.

Sue

Very happy with the service and help I received with my case. Would definitely recommend Stephen Browne Lawyers to anyone seeking a lawyer. They were upfront about fees and the sort of outcome I could expect. Special thanks to Cheryl!

Nat S

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