With a family history in North Queensland spanning four generations, Chris understands the demands and expectations of people living in rural and regional areas.
Apart from a stint in Canberra where he worked in a ministerial advisory position in the Howard Government advising on defence force personnel issues, Chris has always lived and worked in North Queensland.
He worked in private legal practice in Cairns and Innisfail for 11 years before starting his own legal practice, Kahler Lawyers, in 2016.
Throughout the North Queensland community, Chris has earnt a reputation amongst his peers and clients as a dedicated, hard-working and outcome driven lawyer.
Chris’ ability to quickly grasp and analyse complex legal issues with highly-regarded and respected attention to detail give clients peace of mind that their matters are in the most capable hands. In addition, his extensive Court room and litigation experience makes him the first choice for clients seeking to achieve the best possible outcome.
Chris is a passionate rugby union supporter and has played five seasons of rugby with the Innisfail Vikings.
Qualifications
Admitted as a legal practitioner to the High Court of Australia (2006)
Admitted as a legal practitioner to the Supreme Court of Queensland and Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory (2005)
Bachelor of Laws, James Cook University (2004)
Bachelor of Arts (Politics), James Cook University (2004)
Justice of the Peace (Qualified) (1998)
Community Involvement
Chris is committed to supporting his local Innisfail and Cairns communities, and has served in numerous community organisations:
- Member of the North Queensland and Far North Queensland Law Associations since 2003
- Member of the Queensland Law Society since 2005
- Board member of FNQ Volunteers Inc Cairns from 2006 to 2009
- Parish councillor with St Margaret’s Anglican Church West Cairns from 2008 to 2009
- Secretary and committee member of the Innisfail Vikings Rugby Union Club from 2009 to 2011
- Diocesan councillor of the Anglican Diocese of North Queensland from 2011 to 2015
- Deputy Chair of Committees to the Synod of the Anglican Diocese of North Queensland from 2012 to 2018
- Bishop’s representative to the Synod of the Anglican Diocese of North Queensland since 2012
- Board member of Warrina Aged Care Innisfail from 2013 to 2022
- Vice-President of Warrina Aged Care Innisfail from 2015 to 2018
- Chair of Committees to the Synod of the Anglican Diocese of North Queensland since 2018
- President of Warrina Aged Care Innisfail from 2018 to 2022
- Presenter (Continuing Professional Development), Far North Queensland Law Association 2022 and 2023
- Councillor, Queensland Law Society (2 year term, commencing 1 January 2024)
- Member of the Innisfail District Chamber of Commerce, Industry and Tourism
- Volunteer for St Albans Anglican Church during the annual Innisfail Show for over 20 years
- Volunteer for the Salvation Army and Red Cross during annual door knocks and collections throughout Innisfail and Far North Queensland for over 10 years
