Toby Boys has spent his career helping people navigate conflict with a steady hand and a clear head.
Long before dispute resolution and mediation became standard parts of the legal landscape, Toby was drawn to understanding why conflicts arise and how they can be resolved in ways that truly work for everyone involved.
While studying law and psychology at the University of Queensland, he recognised that resolving disputes was more about people, not just the legal issues behind it. That early insight shaped the kind of lawyer he would become.
By the time he finished his Bachelor of Laws (1st class hons) and Bachelor of Arts degrees, Toby had already completed formal mediation training with the Department of Justice and Attorney-General (1998), setting him on a path that would weave together deep litigation experience with a passion for more collaborative solutions. He began his career at McCullough Robertson in Brisbane, gaining invaluable experience on some of Queensland’s longest and most complex Supreme Court trials.
A few years later, he broadened his horizons to London, where he spent time as a Senior Dispute Adviser and mediator at Europe’s largest ADR provider, The Centre for Effective Dispute Resolution. Toby then transferred to the Enforcement Division of the UK’s Financial Services Authority where he worked as an Advanced Associate in the Market Integrity section, honing his skills on major market misconduct and insider trading investigations.
When he returned home to Brisbane in 2006, Toby joined Holding Redlich, where he spent nearly two decades helping clients navigate complex commercial disputes. He rose to become a Partner in the Dispute Resolution and Litigation team (since 2009), but over time, he saw an opportunity to do things differently.
He founded DRM Legal with a simple philosophy: to offer a more respectful, efficient, and practical path through conflict, backed by deep expertise in both mediation and litigation.
Today, Toby works with clients across a broad range of industries and dispute types, from commercial contracts and shareholder disputes to regulatory investigations, property and leasing and insolvency matters. Whether advising companies behind the scenes, stepping in as a trusted adviser alongside in-house legal teams, or acting as an independent mediator, Toby brings a steady, strategic presence to every matter he handles.
Toby’s professionalism and ethics have earned him widespread recognition, including listings in The Best Lawyers in Australia and Doyle’s Guide, and the trust of colleagues across the profession.
Through DRM Legal, Toby is committed to helping his clients move forward with confidence, drawing on a network of trusted specialists and a collaborative approach that always keeps their best interests at the centre of his work.
Professional Achievements
Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation
Best Lawyers Australia for Alternative Dispute Resolution, Litigation and Commercial Law
National Accredited Mediator
Doyle’s Guide - Leading Lawyer in Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Doyle’s Guide - Recommended Mediator
What They’re Saying
Toby’s Previous Case Experience:
Throughout his career, Toby has guided clients through some of the most challenging disputes in Queensland and beyond.
His case experience spans a wide range of industries and legal issues, including:
- Commercial disputes of all varieties, which includes disputes about commercial contracts, equitable rights, estoppel, restitution and claims arising under commercial legislation such as the Australian Consumer Law;
- Corporate and organisational disputes, including acting in director and ownership disputes, shareholder oppression cases, partnerships, joint ventures, incorporated and unincorporated associations;
- Insolvency and finance-related matters, including advising administrators and liquidators, creditors and debtors and guarantors;
- Mining and resource industry, including a complex claim in the Land Court of Queensland arising from special-purpose legislation, a large joint venture dispute (which included a 9-month long trial), a coal port pricing arbitration and mining lease objection hearings;
- Property and leasing matters, including disputes about sale contracts, property development contracts, options, commercial and retail landlord and tenant matters and statutory trustee matters;
- Equity and trusts, such as disputes about trustee conduct and beneficiary rights;
- Regulatory proceedings, including acting in Commissions of Inquiry (including the 2011 Queensland Floods Commission of Inquiry), insider trading and director investigations by ASIC and acting as an “independent solicitor” in a civil search and seizure order.
Whether acting behind the scenes or taking the lead, Toby is trusted for his balanced, respectful approach and his ability to help people find practical, forward-focused outcomes, even in high-stakes or emotionally charged environments.