HE IS a new face in the Rose City, but new Gaffney Lyons and McMahon Solicitors principal Laurie Watling has extensive ties to the Southern Downs.

Mr Watling took over the practice earlier this month, after moving from Brisbane, where he owns another firm in Caboolture.

Despite his recent move to the area, Mr Watling was born and raised in the region and said he always wanted to return.

"I was born in Tenterfield and went to school in Wallangarra and Stanthorpe," Mr Watling said.

"I own a property between Killarney and Liston.

"I always wanted to come back to the Southern Downs and spend more time here.

"I've still got my practice in Caboolture so at the moment I'm commuting between the two but I'll be moving down here permanently."

A lawyer with more than 30 years experience, Mr Watling has experience in a variety of areas such as criminal law, traffic matters, estates and acting for people buying and selling.

But Mr Watling said he hoped to do more work with estates and wills in Warwick.

"I would like to get away from court work a bit more," he said.

"I might do the odd matter but there is a different clientele in Warwick to the city."

While the firm now has a new principal, Mr Watling said he would try to keep changes to a minimum.

"It's still the same name and the same staff, it's just a new principal," Mr Watling said.

"I am a people person so I want to get out and visit people but otherwise I don't want to make changes.

"I just want to assist people - normally if someone comes to a solicitor they are in an awkward situation."