To contact Gerard Houlihan via email please click here
Gerard Houlihan's areas of legal expertise are wide-ranging. For 15 years he
has worked primarily in commercial law. His practice has a strong focus on family
businesses. He mainly provides advice on the acquisition and sale of businesses,
leasing and franchise arrangements.
Absolutely committed to his clients, Gerard subscribes to what he calls the 3A client
service philosophy - availability, affability and ability. He values strong client
relationships and recognises the need to make every transaction as easy as possible
for every client. He has disciplined himself to return telephone calls on the same
day they come in and regularly takes calls from clients after hours. No client would
ever accuse him of using legal jargon unnecessarily.
He is especially interested in the tax issues that face small to medium-sized businesses.
Along with a group of accountants, he is invited to speak at grazing seminars annually
on this topic and other issues.
Increasingly, clients are calling on Gerard's skills in estate planning. His
understanding of clients' business arrangements and structures, his skill in
quickly identifying potential areas of liability and his ability to develop sound
working relationships with each client's accountant help bring a greater sense
of control to estate planning and wealth management. He is highly regarded for his
expertise in examining the forensic details of an estate.
Gerard has worked on a number of matters that have had significant implications
in this State. He acted as a solicitor for the Sisters of Mercy on one of the first
co-location between a State hospital and a private hospital in Queensland - the
only instance where a hospital was given freehold title. He was also jointly instrumental
in the incorporation of Mercy Health and Aged Care CQ Ltd.
During his tenure as a board member and former Chairman of Mercy Health and Aged
Care, Gerard has made a significant contribution to the provision of health services
in the Central Queensland region.