Sponsor Spotlight – Michael Pannach – Connolly Suthers Lawyers
We love our Sponsors and know that without them our events wouldn’t be as easy to run! The crew at Connolly Suthers Lawyers are right behind you every step of the way (see what we did there haha). As sponsors of the Connolly Suthers Many Peaks Trail Run they are here for you from first step to last sprint. Choose from 11km or 18km trail run through the Pallarenda trails (and don’t forget the really cool abseil inclusion!!)
We chatted to Michael Pannach to find out a little more about what makes them tick.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Freedive and spearfish! I spend vast amounts of my time in and on the water. Whether I’m freediving, spearfishing, swimming laps or paddling my surf ski, I’m never far from the water. I have a huge amount of respect and appreciation for the ocean and I have dived in many beautiful locations around Australian and overseas in places such as Tonga, Fiji, Tahiti and the Red Sea.
I was introduced to competitive spearfishing by local legend (and fellow Adventurethoner) Dr Adam Smith. Spearfishing competitions are usually held across 1-3 days, where divers must swim for up to 6 hours per day covering 6-10km swimming and diving continually, often as many as 100 breath-hold dives from 1 to 30 metres in depth searching for fish. The aim is to catch a range of different species (one of each type).
But it’s not just about catching fish, we will sometimes spend a weekend freediving in Lake Eacham (Tablelands) or freediving on the reefs or wrecks recreationally to film or take photographs. My fondest memories are of some wonderful encounters with whale sharks, humpback w
hales, dolphins, turtles, dugongs and some very big (and mostly) peaceful sharks.
Introducing my two young boys to the ocean is also something that I now really enjoy.
What is your favourite Adventurethon memory?
Six years ago I purchased a mountain bike and competed in the Magnetic Island Enduro as part of a team. I had a horrible race but I was absolutely hooked. I purchased a surf-ski soon after and I have not missed many of the local races since.
What makes these events so memorable is the atmosphere and strong connection to family fun and healthy living.
What was the last movie you saw?
I have two young boys = so anything and everything by Pixar.
If you weren’t a lawyer what would you be?
A musician. I very nearly pursued a career in music. If only I had a crystal ball to see how that would have panned out…
More about Michael…(the serious stuff)
Michael is a Litigation Partner with Connolly Suthers, joining them in 2001 after having completed his studies. He was admitted to practice as a lawyer in Queensland in 2003.
Michael returned to Connolly Suthers in 2006 before being appointed as a Partner in July 2010.
Michael has practised in a variety of areas including commercial law, estate planning and immigration law. Predominantly he has practised in the field of general litigation and insurance claims representing individuals against a range of corporations, employers, WorkCover and motor vehicle insurance companies.
Qualifications/Affiliations
- Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland
- Solicitor of the High Court of Australia
- Bachelor of Arts – Bachelor of Laws (James Cook University)
- Member of the Australian Lawyers Alliance
Contact Michael or any of the Connolly Suthers crew here