John Brooksby


Professional Information

John was originally admitted to practice in the United Kingdom. He worked in the West End of London with Manches & Co, before emigrating to Australia.

John worked with Dwyer Durack & Dunphy for 2 years prior to joining Peter Dowding at Paterson & Dowding with a brief to set up a union based industrial and litigation practice.

As a partner in Paterson & Dowding, John set up a significant practice in representing individuals and unions in various industrial tribunals. He also built up a substantial personal injury and general plaintiff orientated practice dealing with all aspects of workers compensation, industrial law and civil and personal injury litigation.

In 1988 John set up an insurance-based practice with Mark Greenland at Greenland Brooksby.
Greenland Brooksby operated for a period of 18 years until John was appointed a Director and In-House Counsel at WHL Legal.

John joined John Toohey Chambers in July 2011.

In June 2020 John became a founding member of Michael Kirby Chambers.

John is available to accept briefs for opinion work, advice, trial and Appellate advocacy in personal injuries, civil and commercial litigation, industrial (Fair Work and WAIRC) and all Family Provision and insurance matters.

Areas of Practice


  • Appeals
  • Commercial Law
  • Contract Law
  • Coronial Inquiries
  • Employment Law 
  • Equity
  • Industrial Law
  • Insurance
  • Personal Injury
  • Professional Negligence
  • Royal Commissions and Commissions of Inquiry
  • Trusts
  • Wills, Estates and Inheritance 
  • Workers Compensation


Membership of Professional Organisations


  • Western Australian Bar Association
  • Law Society of Western Australia



Contact Information


Michael Kirby Chambers

Level 27, St Martins Tower
44 St Georges Terrace
Perth WA 6000

T: (08) 6316 4720

M: 0437 486 977

E: john.brooksby@bigpond.com


Admitted to Practice


  • United Kingdom
  • Western Australia
  • Papua New Guinea
  • High Court of Australia


Qualifications


  • LL.B.


Elected to WA Bar Association


July 2011