Every member of our team holds strong to the same core values that shape our practice: integrity, exceptional advocacy and services; acting with dignity, purpose and fairness.
Leeha James – LLB, BA(Hons), MAICD
Personal Injuries Accredited Specialist
Director/Principal
Leeha’s experience and expertise is wide and varying. For more than 25 years now, she has represented clients from many backgrounds, occupations and industries, including everyday individuals, trade unions, community and not-for-profit organisations, and professional bodies Australia-wide. Leeha does not just specialise in compensation law; she specialises within compensation law, with special focus in relation to fatal and catastrophic injury, complex and complicated injuries, workplace health and safety, psychosocial hazards and occupational cancer.
Simon James – BA, LLB, M. Public Admin, GAICD
Special Counsel
Simon James is a seasoned legal professional and former Chief Inspector with the Queensland Police Service, bringing over 30 years of public service experience to his role at James Law. With qualifications in Justice, Law, Public Administration, and Corporate Governance, Simon specialises in compensation law, particularly for government and emergency service workers. His expertise includes occupational cancer claims, civil litigation and administrative law. A passionate advocate for firefighters, Simon also volunteers with the Firefighters Cancer Foundation Australia. He currently serves as a Referee to the Queensland Development Tribunal and sits on the Queensland Law Society Rules Committee.
Jessica Hodge – Dip.Comm, BA, LLB (Hons), GDLP, GDipLaw
Practices in medical negligence, Queensland workers’ compensation, motor vehicle and public liability matters.
Senior Associate
Jess is a dedicated personal injury solicitor with a passion for advocacy and social justice. She holds a Bachelor of Arts/Laws (Hons) from the University of Queensland and was admitted to practice in 2016. Jess began her career in commercial litigation before focusing on personal injury law, where she now practices in medical negligence, workers’ compensation, motor vehicle, and public liability matters at James Law. A long-time mooting enthusiast and mentor, she is also the Secretary of Basic Rights Queensland, supporting vulnerable communities with legal advocacy. Jess is known for her love of case law and deep dives into medical research.
Rae Chafer
Rae is our chief protector of what makes us tick –our firm culture, ensuring that we maintain a friendly, flexible and inclusive workplace that encourages and enables us all to shine and deliver the best possible legal services to our clients. When not being fiercely protective of the James Law team and those who we help, as Office Manager Rae also makes sure our operations run like clockwork.
Catherine Sheather
Catherine has over 30 years’ experience working in law firms, mainly in personal injuries compensation; an area she is passionate about because it involves helping people to achieve positive outcomes following injury, illness and accidents. Catherine and our Principal Leeha James worked together 25 years ago and have come together again as a team at James Law.