About Us
Anni Gethin, Principal solicitor
Dr Anni Gethin is the principal solicitor of Senior Justice. Anni has extensive experience in family law and litigation as principal of Brigid Justice Ltd, a specialist national law firm for domestic violence victim survivors. Anni has also successfully sued perpetrators of abuse for damages, and advocated for victims in criminal, consumer, and employment law matters.
Passionate about advocacy and justice – Anni now brings her legal skills and experience to the service of senior Australians. Prior to becoming a solicitor, Anni ran a research consultancy and was an academic teaching in public health and aged care services programs.
Anni lives in the Blue Mountains NSW, and is currently living the full Gen X life, being a mother of 4 children (3 adult sons and a 15 year old), and grandmother of 3; plus provides support to her elderly mother (including how to operate the remote on the new ‘stupid TV’). For sanity and balance Anni does calisthenics, bush walks daily with dog Loki, and is a practising Quaker.
Peter Vogel, Senior Solicitor
Peter Vogel lives in the Blue Mountains with his wife and the youngest two of his five children. Peter came to law late in life, after 40 years as a technologist and inventor. In his twenties, Peter co-developed the world’s first commercial sound sampling electronic musical instrument, the Fairlight CMI. During the eighties, the Fairlight was used by many of the world’s leading recording superstars including Stevie Wonder, Kate Bush, Herbie Hancock, Peter Gabriel and most of the other big names of that time. He moved on to develop technology for use in aged care, including “Vitalcall”, Australia’s most popular personal emergency alarm.
Peter has a long standing passion for social justice and environmental causes. In the 1970s and 1980s he was involved in campaigns which played a significant role in banning cigarette advertising in Australia. He was arrested at the Franklin River blockade. He also helped the Wayside Chapel’s Rev. Ted Noffs establish “Life Education”, which is now Australia’s largest, independent health and drug education provider for school children.
At the turn of the century (before streaming video) Peter invented “IceTV”, a set-top box which provided a digital video recorder with an on-screen TV guide. The TV networks did not like the idea of time-shifted TV viewing which could easily skip ads, and in 2006 the Nine Network sued Peter’s company. The case was fought all the way to the High Court of Australia, which in 2009 ruled in IceTV’s favour. The decision is recognised as a significant landmark in Australian copyright law.
Many years in court defending attacks on his business ventures and a passion for social justice inspired Peter to become a solicitor, admitted in 2019 to practice in all Australian courts. Since then, Peter has achieved success for a wide range of clients, for example:
- Small business owner invoiced for goods he never ordered
- Landlord blocked café owner’s access to business
- Compensation for unfair termination of employment
- Cosmetic surgery that didn’t deliver what was promised
- House sitters who wouldn’t leave
- House falling down due to dodgy builder
- Visa applicant paid an agent who disappeared with his money
- Retirement village residents threatened with eviction
- Dispute between private company investors and directors
- Builder denying responsibility for faulty deck
- Disability discrimination in NSW public school
- Money loaned to grand-daughter who claimed it was a gift, not a loan
- Transmission replaced free although car years out of warranty
- Refund of fees charged by incompetent vet
Kay Abela, Family Lawyer
Kay has lived in South East Queensland for most of the last 30 years, and is a mother to three sons of whom she is eminently proud. Having been through divorce more than once herself, Kay understands the emotions and difficulties that face separating families and is committed to helping her clients through one of the most difficult times they will face in their lives.
Being passionate about family law, Kay’s qualifications include:
- Master of Applied Law (Family Law), November 2017
- Accreditation as a Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner, January 2016
- Graduate Diploma of Family Dispute Resolution, December 2015
- Entered on the High Court Register of Legal Practitioners, Federal Court of Australia and the Family Court of Australia, October 2011
- Admission as a Legal Practitioner, Supreme Court of Queensland, September 2011
- Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, July 2011
- Justice of the Peace (Qualified), April 2011
- Bachelor of Laws, October 2010
Kay is also a proud member of the following associations:
- Qld Law Society
- Family Law Section (FLS) of the Law Council of Australia
- Family Law Practitioners Association of Qld
- Qld Association of Collaborative Practitioners
- Women Lawyers Association of Qld
- Family Law Pathways Network – Greater Brisbane, Gold Coast, Townsville and Mackay-Whitsunday chapters
