Our people

Charlie Marino – Managing Partner

You will find Charlie Marino at the helm of Marino Moller Lawyers, steering a course that is motivated by passion and the drive to create a difference for Queenslanders in the Far North. Charlie’s goal is to build a strong firm, which provides legal direction and is a successful asset for its clients; a firm that is genuine in its mission to provide legal expertise, when it matters.

Charlie Marino is one of Cairns’s most high profile lawyers. Raised and schooled in Cairns, Charlie was perplexed by the local talent who moved away from the region to chase a legal career “down south” and was determined to stay and work within the region.

Once having commenced his studies at the University of Queensland in Brisbane Charlie returned to Cairns in 1979, and commenced a five year Articles of Clerkship with a local firm, whilst studying as an external student with the Queensland University of Technology.
In 1988, Charlie was a founding partner of Marino Moller Lawyers (formerly Marino and Smith Solicitors).

Areas of law

Charlie’s expertise lies in the property development area. He has obtained and negotiated approvals with many local authorities and dealt extensively with Council officers in conjunction with development consultants. Charlie has a broad range of experience in the Planning & Environment Court having appeared in many trials but at the same time having being able to negotiate outcomes for clients that are acceptable to Council’s. Since commencing his practice Charlie has been able to build a rapport with many local families and is frequently called upon to advise in relation to generational and succession planning issues.

Industry experience

Charlie has developed from a general practitioner where he dealt with all areas of a legal practice to now hone in on his preferred areas of property development and dealing with generational issues. Charlie also has taken on the role of Managing Partner and has developed skills in managing a five branch firm overseeing the evolution of Marino Moller Lawyers as a prominent firm in regional Far North Queensland.

Clients

Charlie’s clients include many second and third generation families in Cairns as well as public companies and local and southern based property developers. More recently Charlie assisted with the acquisition of development parcels for a retail shopping centre. Charlie represented his client to negotiate town planning approvals, supervise specialty tenancy leasing and management of the centre, and negotiate commercial terms with a national tenant. Charlie actively attended onsite meetings to coordinate with local authorities, civic and building contractors, and tenants to resolve and achieve opening of the centre.

Charlie has also been involved in the approval processes for Kanimbla Heights Estate (800 Lots), Redlynch Central Estate (300 lots) and Yungaburra Village Estate (250 lots).

Memberships & Associations

Member Queensland Law Society
Association Member and Past Senior Vice-President Cairns Agricultural Pastoral & Mining
Committee Member Cairns Show Association
Member of Board of Directors Far North Queensland Hospital Foundation
Member Urban Development Industry Association (Cairns)
Member Planning Institute Australia (Queensland)
Association Member Queensland Environmental Law
Committee Member and Honorary Solicitor Redlynch Junior Soccer Club

Qualifications

Bachelor of Laws
Solicitor - Supreme Court of Queensland - 1985
Graduate Diploma Australian Institute of Company Directors
Solicitor – High Court of Australia

5 things our people like about being at Marino Moller

Kelly Reaston, Associate
“I started at Marino Moller as a law graduate a few years ago.
The support and experience is brilliant and I feel like my opinion counts. That’s very important to me.”

Jenny Grant, Office Manager
“I enjoy working with a firm that gives back to the community and offers employees opportunities to grow professionally and personally.
Marino Moller Lawyers are the epitomy of local lawyers supporting the local community – even supporting the Far North Queensland development of futsal and junior cricket.
Improving the quality of life in our communities is a proud tradition in our firm.
Marino Moller Lawyers is dedicated to supporting charitable activities that result in building stronger communities.”

Brett Moller, Partner
“With video link and teleconferencing, it doesn’t matter where my clients are throughout Far North Queensland.
Supporting the rural community is much easier and faster today.
Marino Moller strives to be at the forefront of technological advancements.
Supplying you with the right equipment and software so we can communicate more effectively — that’s our goal.”

Trish Whitby, JP
Legal Assistant
“The best thing about working here is being part of an extremely talented team.
If you don't know something, someone very close by inevitably does and is happy to share their knowledge with you.”

Vicki Barnett,
Conveyancer Commissioner for Declarations
“With the boom in real estate, we see many conveyancers come and go in other firms.
We have a solid team who know their profession and have been here for years.
I love my clients. They even send us flowers!”