Don't Tell

Stephen Roche was raised on a dairy farm on the Darling Downs and is the ninth youngest of ten children. He has seven older brothers.

He fell into a career in the law when he applied for a job as an 'Articled Law Clerk' with a local law firm in 1981. He is now the longest serving member of that firm. Formerly the Managing Partner and CEO, he has been an integral part of growing from a single office in Toowoomba to now having a national presence. He has spearheaded Shine Lawyers through a considerable growth period over the last two decades, and it is now the third largest plaintiff litigation law firm in Australia.

Stephen was among the first solicitors in Queensland to be awarded Specialist Accreditation in Personal Injuries by the Queensland Law Society. Stephen holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Masters of Laws degree from QUT. He is a past President of the Australian Plaintiff Lawyers Association (Queensland Branch), and a past member of the National Executive. Stephen has made a significant contribution to the protection of civil and common law rights for all Australian citizens. Regarded as an 'activist', he is passionate in his belief that the rights of us all are being eroded by our governments, and he is not afraid to stand up against insurance companies and corporate Australia.

A progressive thinker and strategist, he has played an active role over many years in meeting with governments and with various stakeholder bodies as an advocate for people's rights. He has been involved in many high profile cases including major group actions against multinationals like McDonalds, and litigation against powerful institutions like churches that have breached their duty of care.

His innovative attitude in a corporate workplace also saw him direct The Shine Centre of Learning initiative. The vision began with turning a property in South-East Queensland into a residential place of learning, where staff go to acquire skills, knowledge and attitudes from national and international experts.

He is a Fellow of the Australian Institute of Management, a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, and an active member of TEC.

Stephen is married to Wendy and they have four adult children. Don't Tell is Stephen's first book.

prelude            7 december 2001......................................................... 1

chapter 1        for sale........................................................................ 3

chapter 2        early days.................................................................... 9

chapter 3        preppies get a head start............................................. 13

chapter 4        short walk.................................................................. 19

chapter 5        nine eleven................................................................ 25

chapter 6        the complaint............................................................. 29

chapter 7        heads in the sand....................................................... 33

chapter 8        runaway.................................................................... 37

chapter 9        ghosts from the past.................................................. 43

chapter 10      p is for paedophile...................................................... 49

chapter 11      how hot is hot?.......................................................... 57

chapter 12      newspaper headlines.................................................. 67

chapter 13      going through hell...................................................... 79

chapter 14      where there are shadows........................................... 97

chapter 15      a view from above.................................................... 105

chapter 16      lyndal’s mum gives evidence..................................... 121

chapter 17      medical evidence...................................................... 139

chapter 18      the defence opens its case........................................ 161

chapter 19      mr brewster............................................................. 181

chapter 20      from the frying pan into the fire................................ 197

chapter 21      nearing the end........................................................ 221

chapter 22      questions for thejury................................................ 233

chapter 23      the verdict......