Search Results

  • Weinstock Aaron

    Aaron Weinstock appears and advises in commercial disputes, focusing on energy and resources, banking and finance, and insolvency.

    Before coming to the Bar, Aaron practised as a solicitor in commercial disputes at Mallesons Stephen Jaques, now part of King & Wood Mallesons.

    Aaron was educated at the Universities of Melbourne and Cambridge; at Cambridge, he came equal top of his class.

    "From 1st July 2011, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation."

  • Wilkinson Jonathan

    Jonathan practices in commercial litigation.

    Before coming to the bar, Jonathan was a lawyer at Norton Rose Australia. He had a general corporate and commercial law practice, with a focus on commercial contracts, Corporations Act and ASIC regulatory matters, valuation advice, ASX advice, takeovers, and mergers & acquisitions.

    Jonathan also worked in the dispute resolution group on a variety of litigious commercial matters. He has worked as a solicitor advocate on debt recovery, insolvency, bankruptcy, employment, trade practices and contract dispute matters.

    Jonathan has appeared or instructed in most State and Federal courts including the Supreme, Federal, County and Magistrates' Courts, and VCAT.

    He is a recipient of the prize for most outstanding advocate in the Supreme Court of Victoria's Hanover Moot.

    In 2010, Jonathan was Associate to the Honourable Justice Hargrave in the Supreme Court of Victoria. He worked predominantly in the Commercial Court and the Commercial & Equity list. During this time, His Honour's chambers also sat in the Practice Court and the Court of Appeal.

    "From 20th May 2011, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation."

  • Alice Wharldall

    Alice practises primarily in commercial and public law, including constitutional and judicial review matters. She also accepts briefs in common law, employment and industrial relations matters.

    Before coming to the Bar, Alice practised as a solicitor in both public law and commercial litigation. Most recently, she was Principal Solicitor in the Constitution and Advice team at the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office, where she conducted complex litigation in the High Court, State courts and the Federal Court. Alice also advised on issues of administrative decision-making, constitutional law and statutory interpretation.

    Prior to joining the VGSO, Alice was a lawyer in insolvency and commercial litigation at Allens, and Associate to the Hon. Justice Davies in the Federal Court.

    Alice holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons, 1st Class) and Bachelor of Arts (French) from the University of Adelaide. She was awarded multiple academic prizes, including for the highest average mark in all compulsory and elective subjects in the Bachelor of Laws.

    Alice read with Frances Gordon KC. Her senior mentor is Philip Solomon KC. Her CV can be found here.

    Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

  • Stephanie Young

    Stephanie has a diverse practice with a particular focus on insurance law, common law, personal injuries and public law. Stephanie is reading with Justin Hooper and her senior mentor is Jeremy Ruskin KC.

    Prior to joining the Victorian Bar, Stephanie was a Senior Associate at Barry Nilsson where she built upon her extensive knowledge in the area of professional indemnity claims in addition to managing a number of public liability and institutional abuse claims. Prior to this, Stephanie was a Managing Principal Solicitor with the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office (VGSO), where she developed a general and diverse litigation practice for a range of government clients and emanations of the State. Her portfolio spanned torts and breach of statute, general public law litigation, judicial review proceedings, and reviews pursuant to the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act 1997.

    Before joining the VGSO, Stephanie spent five years at specialist insurance litigation firms, where she built her practice in professional indemnity, management liability claims and subrogated recoveries. Stephanie was admitted as a lawyer in the State of New York in 2009 and worked in a small reinsurance law firm for a number of years before moving to Melbourne in 2011.

    Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

  • Daniel Wright-Neville

    Daniel practises in commercial and public law, with a particular focus on building and construction, environment, land and property disputes. He also accepts briefs in industrial and employment law.

    Before coming to the Bar, Daniel practised in commercial litigation and public law at Minter Ellison and Baker McKenzie. He acted for private, government and overseas clients in a range of complex disputes, including planning challenges and nuisance proceedings involving major projects, construction disputes, class actions, high-profile public inquiries and regulatory prosecutions. He was also an Associate to the Honourable Justice Digby, when his Honour was the Judge-in-Charge of the Technology, Engineering and Construction List at the Supreme Court of Victoria. He holds a Juris Doctor and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne.

    Daniel is reading with Georgie Coleman and his senior mentor is Meg O’Sullivan KC.

    Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation

  • Szydzik Melanie

    Melanie practices in commercial, tort and consumer law in the Federal and State courts. She has particular experience in class actions.

    Melanie is the Chair of the Class Actions Committee of the Commercial Bar Association.

    Before commencing in law, Melanie worked as a scientific researcher, predominantly in synthetic organic chemistry.

    Class actions

    Clarke v JB Hi-Fi Group Pty Ltd – Supreme Court of Victoria, consumer class action

    Bergman v Sportsbet Pty Ltd – Supreme Court of Victoria, consumer class action

    Krakouer v AFL – Supreme Court of Victoria, racial vilification class action

    Thomas & anor v The A2 Milk Company Limited – Supreme Court of Victoria, securities class action

    Tham v Australian Capital Territory [2024] FCA 1508 – Federal Court of Australia, employment class action, settlement approval hearing

    Laricchia v Wisetech Global Limited – Supreme Court of Victoria, securities class action

    Gawler v Fleetpartners Group Ltd – Supreme Court of Victoria, securities class action

    Stallard & anor v Treasury Wine Estates Limited – Supreme Court of Victoria, securities class action

    Huang v Star Entertainment Group Ltd – Supreme Court of Victoria, securities class action

    • [2023] VSC 561 – multiplicity and group costs order

    Lay v Nuix Ltd; Batchelor v Nuix Ltd; Bahtiyar v Nuix Ltd - Supreme Court of Victoria, securities class action, led by Simon Marks KC

    • (2022) ACSR 27; [2022] VSC 479 – multiplicity and group costs order

    Bogan v Estate of Peter John Smedley – Supreme Court of Victoria, securities class action

    • [2023] VSC 105 – security for costs

    Crawford v ANZ & ors – Supreme Court of Victoria, unfair conduct claim, led by Michael Rush KC

    • [2022] FCA 657 – bankrupt lead plaintiff, application for extension of time
    • [2021] VSC 573 – group costs order
    • [2021] VSC 578 – discovery

    McNickle v Huntsman Chemical Company Australia Pty Ltd & ors – Federal Court of Australia, negligence class action concerning Roundup

    • [2024] FCA 1353 – settlement approval hearing
    • [2024] FCA 807 – trial limited to general causation
    • [2023] FCA 1268 – expert opinion evidence
    • [2023] FCA 1216 – case management re closing submissions
    • [2023] FCA 662 – initial trial common questions
    • [2022] FCA 1596 – expert evidence
    • [2022] FCA 1596 – admissibility of expert evidence
    • [2022] FCA 133 – adjournment of trial
    • [2021] FCA 780 – appointment of assessors
    • [2021] FCA 370 – expert evidence

    Shimshon v MLC Nominees Pty Limited & anor – Supreme Court of Victoria, superannuation class action, led by Nicholas Owens SC and with Dr Shipra Chordia

    • [2022] VSCA 18 – costs
    • (2021) 402 ALR 724; [2021] VSCA 363 – appeal re preliminary question
    • [2020] VSC 640 – determination of preliminary question

    Andrianakis v Uber Technologies Inc & ors and Salem v Uber Technologies Inc & ors – Supreme Court of Victoria, conspiracy by unlawful means

    • [2024] VSC 733 – settlement approval hearing
    • [2024] VSC 436 – unregistered group members
    • [2023] VSC 366 – privilege
    • [2023] VSC 56 – strike out application
    • [2022] VSC 643 – privilege appeal
    • [2022] VSC 196 – privilege, including misconduct exception
    • [2021] VSC 744 – sample group members
    • [2020] VSC 885 – strike out application
    • (2020) 61 VR 580; [2020] VSCA 186 – appeal of strike out decision
    • [2020] VSC 152 – amendment to group definition
    • [2019] VSC 850 – strike out application

    Turner v Bayer Australia Ltd & ors, product liability class action, led by Fiona Forsyth KC

    • [2021] VSC 241 – approval of discontinuance and withdrawal of part of the proceeding

    ACN 117 641 004 Pty Ltd v S&P Global Inc – Federal Court of Australia, acted for the second applicant in a dispute concerning whether the proceeding ought to be stayed

    Sister Marie Brigid Arthur (Litigation Representative) v Northern Territory of Australia, settled, administrative law class action, led by Dan Star KC

    • [2020] FCA 215 – settlement approval application
    • [2019] FCA 859 – dispensation with notice requirements

    Court v Spotless Group Holdings Limited – Federal Court of Australia, settled, securities class action, led by Peter Collinson KC

    • [2020] FCA 1730 – settlement approval application

    Fernbrook (Aust) Investments Pty Ltd v AMP Limited – Federal Court of Australia, securities class action, led by Richard Attiwill QC (now the Honourable Justice Attiwill)

    Fletcher v Lendlease Corporation Limited & anor – Supreme Court of New South Wales, securities class action

    Caason Investments Pty Ltd v Simon Xiao Fan Cao – Federal Court of Australia, acted for applicant in dispute with funder

    Bywater v Appco Group Australia Pty Ltd – Federal Court of Australia, settled, employment class action, led by Kristine Hanscombe KC

    Money Max Int Pty Limited v QBE Insurance Group Limited – Federal Court of Australia, settled, securities class action, led by Bernie Quinn KC

    • [2018] FCA 2101 – costs
    • (2018) 358 ALR 382 – settlement approval application

    Manus Island Class Action – Kamasaee v Commonwealth & ors

    • [2018] VSC 138 – settlement distribution scheme
    • [2017] VSC 537 – settlement approval application, led by Fiona Forsyth (now KC)
    • [2017] VSCA 121 – scope of issues to be determined in class action trial, led by David Curtain KC and Fiona Forsyth
    • Ruling No 9 [2017] VSC 171 – live streaming of evidence to group members, led by David Curtain KC
    • Ruling No 8 [2017] VSC 167 – class closure in a group proceeding, led by David Curtain KC and Fiona Forsyth
    • Ruling No 7 [2016] VSC 770 – public interest immunity: foreign relations and Australian Red Cross documents
    • Ruling No 6 [2016] VSC 605 – public interest immunity: foreign relations and International Committee of the Red Cross documents
    • Ruling No 5 [2016] VSC 595 – public interest immunity: cabinet documents, led by Bret Walker SC
    • Ruling No 4 [2016] VSC 492 – public interest immunity; sample foreign relations claims, led by Bret Walker SC
    • Ruling No 3 [2016] VSC 438 – public interest immunity; cross examination in relation to cabinet documents, led by Bret Walker SC
    • Ruling No 2 [2016] VSC 404 – client legal privilege

    Murrindindi Black Saturday Bushfire Class Action – Rowe v AusNet Electricity Services Pty Ltd & ors

    • [2015] VSC 232 – settlement approval application, led by Fiona McLeod SC & Richard Attiwill KC
    • [2014] VSC 553 – expert conclaves
    • [2014] VSC 474 – appeal, client legal privilege, led by Fiona Forsyth

    Kilmore Black Saturday Bushfire Class Action – Matthews v AusNet Electricity Services Pty Ltd & ors

    • [2014] VSC 663 – settlement approval application, led by Robert Richter KC and Lachlan Armstrong (now KC)
    • Ruling No 32 [2013] VSC 630 – role of assessors, led by Andrew Keogh SC (now the Honourable Justice Keogh)
    • Ruling No 31 [2013] VSC 575 – application made pursuant to s 138 of the Evidence Act 2008 (Vic) to exclude evidence obtained improperly, led by Andrew Keogh SC
    • Ruling No 19 [2013] VSC 180 – appointment of assessors, led by Andrew Keogh SC
    • Ruling No 10 [2012] VSC 379 – expert conclaves, led by Tim Tobin SC and Lachlan Armstrong
    • Ruling No 9 [2012] VSC 340 – expert evidence, led by Tim Tobin SC and Lachlan Armstrong
    • Ruling No 6 [2013] VSC 422 – client legal privilege, led by Andrew Keogh SC
    • Ruling No 3 [2013] VSC 116 – obligations under the Civil Procedure Act 2010 (Vic) and client legal privilege, led by Andrew Keogh SC
    • Ruling No 1 [2011] VSC 167 – application to regularise the proceeding when issued without authority of the representative Plaintiff, led by Robert Richter KC and Michael Lee (now the Honourable Justice Lee)

    Earglow Pty Ltd v Sigma Pharmaceuticals Ltd – Federal Court of Australia, securities class action (settled), led by Julian Burnside KC and Lachlan Armstrong

    Commercial and Consumer Law

    Alcoa of Australia Limited & ors v AusNet Transmission Group Pty Ltd & anor – Supreme Court of Victoria

    Gold Coast Marine Aquaculture Pty Ltd v Aqua Star Pty Ltd & ors – Federal Court of Australia, led by David Collins KC

    Riley v Riley – Supreme Court of Victoria, settled, partnership dispute

    Cargill Australia Ltd v Viterra Malt Pty Ltd – Supreme Court of Victoria, sale of business, led by Richard Attiwill KC; Court of Appeal [2023] VSCA 304 – application for leave to appeal indemnity costs order

    Riviera Farms Pty Ltd v Accensi Pty Ltd – Supreme Court of Victoria, settled, contaminated herbicides, led by David Collins KC

    IOOF Holdings Limited v Maurice Blackburn Pty Limited – Supreme Court of Victoria, settled, confidentiality in whistleblower documents, led by Richard Attiwill KC and Fiona Forsyth

    Other

    Chief Commissioner of Police v Paterson [2023] VSC 172 – firearm prohibition

    Inquiries

    Hazelwood Mine Fire Inquiry 2015 – Investigation into increased incidence of deaths (report available at http://hazelwoodinquiry.vic.gov.au/201516-report/volume-ii-investigations-into-2009-2014-deaths)

    Own Motion Inquiry of the Office of the Racing Integrity Commissioner – Investigation into Laming, Potgieter and Zeyaur Rahman (public summary of the report available at https://racingintegrity.vic.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0018/164151/Public-Summary-Report-Own-Motion-June-2021.pdf)


    Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

  • Tehan Myles

    Myles practises mainly in commercial law, with particular experience in contract, equity, class actions, trade practices, competition, corporations, insurance, professional negligence, telecommunications and technology matters. Myles also has experience in matters involving sports law and defamation.

    Before coming to the Bar, Myles spent over 7 years as a solicitor and then senior associate in the Dispute Resolution group at King & Wood Mallesons, working on a broad range of commercial disputes.

    Prior to undertaking his Articles, Myles spent a year as an Aide to two Governors of Victoria – John Landy AC MBE and Professor David de Kretser AC.

    Myles is a member of the Bar’s Audit, Finance and Risk Committee.

    Some representative matters include:

    • Purchase of business; breach of warranty; misleading conduct: Transonic v Tilakee [2024] VSC 86; [2021] VSC 413 (led by Jack Rush KC and Nick De Young KC, instructed by MinterEllison).
    • Class actions; superannuation: Janssen v OnePath Custodians, Federal Court of Australia [2024] FCA 497 (ongoing) (led by Philip Crutchfield KC and Nick De Young KC, instructed by King & Wood Mallesons).
    • Professional negligence: Pearce v Waller Legal Pty Ltd [2024] VSC 779 (ongoing) (led by Philip Solomon KC, instructed by Lander & Rogers).
    • Defamation: Hun v Aljazeera International (Malaysia) SDN BHD [2023] FCA 1546; [2023] FCA 1103 (led by Renée Enbom KC, instructed by Thomson Geer).
    • Misleading or deceptive conduct: Lanhai Pty Ltd v 7-Eleven Stores Pty Ltd [2023] VSCA 45; [2022] VSC 132; [2021] VSC 587 (led by Philip Solomon KC, instructed by Norton Rose Fulbright Australia).
    • Data/privacy: acting in relation to a number of regulatory investigations into cyber breaches.
    • Wills; estoppel: Re Connock [2023] VSC 488; [2023] VSC 420; [2021] VSC 122; [2021] VSC 64 (unled, instructed by Hall & Wilcox).
    • Contract; misleading or deceptive conduct; restraint of trade: Reid (and ors) v Slade (and ors), Supreme Courts of Victoria and NSW (ongoing) (led by Sam Rosewarne KC, instructed by McCullough Robertson).
    • Royal Commissions: Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability (2023, led by Renée Enbom KC, instructed by Ashurst); Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry (2018, unled).
    • Fraud; equitable duties; contract: Directed Electronics OE Pty Ltd v OE Solutions Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 462; [2022] FCA 1404; [2022] FCA 254 (unled, instructed by McClusky’s Lawyers).
    • Legal professional privilege: Quebani Pty Ltd v McDonald’s Australia Limited (Appeal) [2023] VSC 439 (led by Rob Craig KC, instructed by Norton Rose Fulbright Australia).
    • Telecommunications; contract; misleading conduct: Business Service Brokers Pty Ltd v Optus Mobile Pty Ltd [2022] VSC 774; [2022] VSC 283; [2021] VSC 547; [2021] VSC 310 (led by Gina Schoff KC, instructed by Danaher Moulton).
    • ASIC regulatory proceeding; misleading conduct; penalties: Australian Securities and Investments Commission v Allianz Australia Insurance Limited [2021] FCA 1062 (led by Suresh Senathirajah KC, instructed by ASIC).
    • Banking; unconscionable mortgage terms: First Mortgage Capital Pty Ltd v Westpac Banking Corporation Ltd [2021] NSWSC 1143 (unled, instructed by Diamonds Solicitors).
    • Employee restraint of trade: Liberty Financial Pty Ltd v Jugovic [2021] FCA 607 (unled, instructed by Herbert Smith Freehills).
    • Competition; administrative review: Application by Flexigroup Limited (No 2) [2020] ACompT 2 (unled, instructed by ASIC).
    • Oppression; corporations: Pacific Dairies Limited v Orican Pty Ltd & Ors [2019] VSC 647 (unled, instructed by DLA Piper).
    • Trusts; equitable duties: Alston v Cormack Foundation Pty Ltd [2018] FCA 895 (led by Allan Myers KC and Ian Hardingham KC, instructed by Frenkel Partners).
    • Contractual interpretation; intellectual property: Apple & Pear Australia Ltd v Pink Lady America LLC [2017] HCASL 83; [2016] VSCA 280; [2015] HCATrans 348; [2015] HCATrans 349; [2015] VSC 617 (led by Rodney Garratt KC, instructed by Hall & Wilcox).
    • Competition; compliance review: Acting as a Compliance Reviewer in respect of orders made by the Federal Court concerning a competition law compliance program (unled, instructed by King & Wood Mallesons).
    • Sports law: acting for a party in the AFL Inquiry into allegations of racism at the Hawthorn Football Club and associated Australian Human Rights Commission complaint (led by Justin Graham KC, instructed by Frenkel Partners); counsel assisting the AFL Tribunal in the Essendon supplements matter; counsel for various players in the AFL Tribunal, AFLW Tribunal and VFL Tribunal; acted as Tribunal and Appeal Board member for various sports.


    From 23 Oct 2014, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation

  • Crutchfield Philip

    Philip holds Commerce and Honours Law Degrees from the University of Melbourne and a Master of Laws from the London School of Economics and Political Science. 

    He did articles at Mallesons Stephen Jaques in 1987 and was admitted to the partnership on 1 January 1996. He signed the Bar Roll in November 1998 and took silk in 2009.

    Philip is a former Senior Fellow in the Law Faculty of the University of Melbourne, a member of the University of Melbourne Law School Foundation Board, a member of the University of Melbourne Humanities Foundation Board, a Fellow of the Australian Academy of Law, a board member of the Victorian Bar Foundation and a former President of the Commercial Bar Association of Victoria.

    He was a reporter for the Commonwealth Law Reports and the author of a text book, Corporate Voluntary Administration Law, now known as Crutchfield’s Voluntary Administration.

    Outside of the law, Philip is a public company director and the Chair of the Bell Shakespeare Theatre Company.


    From 01/07/2008, Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

  • Collingwood Nicola

    Nicola was an Associate at Maddocks before coming to the Bar where she practised extensively in the local government, planning and environment field.

    As a solicitor, Nicola regularly appeared at VCAT in relation to merits appeals, declaration applications, and enforcement order and contempt proceedings.

    Nicola also had the carriage of appeals from VCAT to the Trial Division of the Supreme Court and the Court of Appeal in relation to questions of law arising from planning matters.In 2007, Nicola was seconded to the Department of Sustainability and Environment to prosecute summary and indictable wildlife, forestry, and environmental offences and matters on behalf of Heritage Victoria and in her final year at Maddocks Nicola was seconded to Yarra City Council as in-house counsel.

    On her admission, Nicola worked for the Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (Qld) and in the Advocacy Unit at Crown Law. Nicola also gained commercial litigation experience at a specialist property and litigation firm before joining Maddocks in 2005.

    Nicola currently practises in the local government, planning and environment field. She also appears in liquor licensing matters and at the Victorian Commission for Gambling Regulation.

    Nicola lectures in health and environment law at Swinburne University and teaches statutory planning at RMIT.

    Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

    Nicola is currently acting as junior counsel for Volunteer Fire Brigades Victoria, the CFA volunteer firefighters representative association, in the 2009 Victorian Bushfires Royal Commission.

  • Cherry Sarah

    Sarah's practice has a particular focus on professional negligence, disciplinary matters and costs disputes.

    She is also regularly briefed in general commercial matters and particularly insurance disputes.

    She also appears in guardianship, administration and Part IV proceedings.

    Sarah appears in interlocutory applications, trials (in Melbourne, regional Victoria and interstate) and on appeals, as well as in mediations. She is regularly briefed to advise in costs disputes, potential disciplinary proceedings and general commercial matters. Her advice is practical and solution-focussed.

    Before coming to the bar in 2005, Sarah was a solicitor for 9 years in Australia and the UK. She was the inaugural head of the Ethics Department at the Law Institute of Victoria and has lectured regularly on professional standards issues.

    She is a former member of the panel of examiners for Monash University, an occasional tutor at the Leo Cussen institute, and a regular speaker by invitation at law practices and conferences.

    Recent decisions include -

    Costs disputes and appeals arising from costs proceedings

    Russels v McCardel [2014] VSC 287 (instructed by the Australian Legal Costing Group before Bell J), successfully defending an appeal from the Costs Court involving provisions of the Electronic Transactions (Victoria) Act 2000 and Part 3.4 Legal Profession Act 2004.

    GLS v Goodman Group Pty Ltd (2015) VSC 627 (instructed by Debra Paver Costs Lawyer before Macaulay J), successfully defending an appeal from the Costs Court involving complex arguments on the law of accord and satisfaction in the context of legal costs under the Victorian statutory regime and the right to review under Division 7 Legal Profession Act 2004.

    Eagle Lawyers v Career Education Consultants Australia Pty Ltd & Anor [2013] VCC 1263 (before Anderson J), successfully obtaining judgment against the first defendant in an action for recovery of legal costs and a dispute as to the basis of charging.

    Numerous costs disputes in VCAT, the Magistrates’ Court and the Supreme Court.

    Disciplinary hearings and appeals

    Tuferu v Legal Services Commissioner [2013] VSC 645 (instructed by the Office of the LSC before Zammit AsJ), successfully defending a judicial review and appeal as to sanction following findings of professional misconduct.

    Numerous disciplinary proceedings since 2009. See most recently for example LSC v Rhoden (Legal Practice) [2015] VCAT 1546, LSC v Tuferu (Legal Practice) [2013] VCAT 1438, LSC v Khan (Legal Practice) [2013] VCAT 651.

    General commercial

    Cross Country Realty Victoria Pty Ltd & Anor v Ubertas 350 William Street Pty Ltd [2015] VCC 1012 (with T North SC instructed by Brand Partners before Lacava J), successfully striking out the plaintiffs’ claim and obtaining summary judgment on a counterclaim relating to payment and retention of commission in breach of mandatory disclosure obligations under the Estate Agents Act 1980, and opposing a subsequent successful application for leave to appeal with D Collins SC.

    Solari v CGY Insurance Ltd (No.1) [2015] VCC 207 (before Misso J), considering the construction of contractual terms in a claim against a deemed manufacturer and brought directly against the insurer pursuant to s601AG Corporations Act 2001.

    Probate, administration and Part IV

    Matthews v Matthews [2009] VSC 308 (Osborn J) - successfully applying to remove an executor on grounds of serious misconduct.

    Re will and estate of Angelo Marotta (dec’d) [2011] VSC 324 (Zammit AsJ) - successfully defending a claim for summary dismissal under Part 4.4 of the Civil Procedure Act 2010; the implications of “no real prospect of success” in the context of a Part IV claim.

    From 19th July 2012, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

  • Chadwick Wong

    Chadwick practises primarily in public law, commercial and regulatory law, and white-collar crime. He has particular interest in corporate misconduct, class actions, international law and human rights.

    Before coming to the Bar, Chadwick had a broad career spanning the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. He was most recently General Counsel at Grata Fund, a public interest litigation funder, working on cases involving climate litigation, gender discrimination and First Nations rights. Previous roles have included Acting Principal Solicitor and Senior Solicitor at the Public Interest Advocacy Centre specialising in strategic litigation, Associate at Allens working on regulatory investigations and disputes, and Adviser at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, advising on public law and policy, including in national security.

    Chadwick was also Associate to the Hon Justice Mortimer, now Chief Justice of the Federal Court.

    Chadwick holds a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts in Government and International Relations from the University of Sydney. He also has a Master of Laws specialising in International Law (with Distinction) from the Australian National University

    Chadwick read with Fiona Batten. His senior mentor is Neil Clelland KC.

    His recent cases include:

    Public and regulatory

    • Active Sports Management Pty Ltd v Industry Innovation and Science Australia (judicial review of taxation decision, led by Stephen Lloyd SC and Fiona Batten)
    • GRP18 v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs [2024] FedCFamC2G 927 (unled)
    • JSWC and Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs (Migration) [2024] AATA 2 (unled)
    • EWO18 and Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs (unled, Minister conceded)
    • Dzajkovska and National Disability Insurance Agency [2023] AATA 3952 (unled)
    • Advice work relating to the listing of private health insurance benefits as well as numerous statutory interpretation and migration advices

    Class actions

    • Yong v Westpac Banking Corporation (shareholder class action, led by Wendy Harris KC, with Leana Papaelia, Dion Fahey, Tom Rawlinson)
    • Janssen v OnePath Custodian Pty Ltd & Ors (superannuation class action, led by Kristine Hanscombe KC, with Alexandra Folie, Tim Farhall, James Page, Michela Agnoletti)

    Crime

    • CDPP v Bowen (insider trading, led by Neil Clelland KC and Ruth Shann SC, with Felicity Fox)
    • Various bails, committals, pleas and appeals for the OPP and defence


    Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

  • Harley Schumann

    Harley practises in all areas of commercial, employment and regulatory law. 

    Prior to coming to the bar, Harley had a career spanning over 15 years in Australia and Hong Kong. He held senior positions across both private practice and in the government, including as a senior lawyer at the Fair Work Ombudsman and as a partner of global law firm, Mishcon de Reya.

    During his career, Harley has specialised in commercial litigation and arbitration, and particularly in the fields of contract, insolvency, employment, professional negligence and civil penalty proceedings. He has been involved in and led some of the largest and most complex financial cases in Australia and Hong Kong, particularly in the context of corporate fraud with significant cross-border elements, involving the intersection between Australia, Hong Kong SAR, Mainland China and offshore jurisdictions.

    Harley holds a Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours, as well as a Masters in Law (BCL) from the University of Oxford, graduating with Distinction (highest honours).

    Harley is admitted as a solicitor in the High Court of Hong Kong and was conferred Higher Rights of Audience to practise as a Solicitor Advocate in civil matters in Hong Kong, where he developed experience in advocacy. He was also an Associate to the Honourable Justice Layton in the Supreme Court of South Australia.

    Harley is reading with Georgie Coleman and his senior mentor is Kathleen Foley SC.

    Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

  • Tom Carmody

    Tom practises broadly and accepts briefs in all areas, with a particular emphasis on criminal law and media law, and a keen interest in common law and public law.

    Before coming to the Bar, Tom was an Associate to the Honourable Justice Incerti of the Supreme Court of Victoria. In that time, Tom assisted her Honour with a series of landmark bail rulings (including Re PJ, Re Terei and Re McLaughlin) and several significant decisions under the Serious Offenders Act. Prior to admission, Tom worked closely with a criminal barrister and at a boutique media law firm. In an earlier life, Tom was an actor (bartender) in LA.

    Tom holds a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Sydney, where he was awarded the Aaron Levine Prize for Criminal Law, and is currently pursuing a Master of Laws at the University of Melbourne (with a focus on media and IP law). Tom also holds a Bachelor of Arts (English, Australian Indigenous Studies) from the University of Melbourne and a certificate in winemaking from UC Davis.

    Tom is reading with Amelia Beech and his senior mentor is Chris Winneke KC.

    Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

  • Brianna Melville

    Brianna practises broadly across common law and criminal jurisdictions, with a particular interest in torts and personal injury. Brianna is available to appear in all metropolitan and regional courts.

    Prior to coming to the Bar, Brianna was associate to her Honour Judge Morrish at the County Court of Victoria. Brianna assisted her Honour in hearing and management of civil and criminal jury trials, appeals, and interlocutory matters. As her Honour is the Judge in Charge of the Medical Negligence List, Brianna also assisted in the daily running and administration of the list.

    Earlier, Brianna worked at a small suburban law firm where she assisted in providing general legal services to clients in a wide range of areas including wills and estates, building disputes, binding financial agreements and sale of businesses.

    Brianna holds a Juris Doctor from Monash University and a Bachelor of Arts (criminology and politics) from the University of Melbourne.

    Brianna is reading with Rachel Ellyard and her senior mentor is Michelle Britbart KC.

    Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

  • Alex Lee

    Alex practises mainly in public and commercial law.

    Before coming to the Bar, Alex was Counsel Assisting the Solicitor‑General of the Commonwealth, an Associate to Chief Justice Kiefel of the High Court of Australia, a Senior Solicitor in the constitutional law team at the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office, and Counsel at the Australian Government Solicitor. He commenced his legal career at Allens, in litigation and dispute resolution.

    Alex has a Bachelor of Arts (Economics), a Diploma in Languages and a Juris Doctor from the University of Melbourne. He later obtained a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School. He has taught constitutional law at the University of Melbourne.

    Alex is reading with Olaf Ciolek. His senior mentor is Kathleen Foley SC.

    Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

  • Tess Simpson

    Tess practises primarily in commercial and public law.

    Prior to coming to the Bar, Tess served as an associate to the Honourable Justice Elliott of the Supreme Court of Victoria. She also worked as a solicitor at Holding Redlich where she acted in a range of complex commercial disputes, royal commissions and white-collar criminal law matters.

    Tess holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Juris Doctor from the University of Melbourne.

    In addition, Tess holds Negative Vetting 1 security clearance from the Australian Government Security Vetting Agency. She has a particular interest in corporate crime and regulatory investigations.

    Tess is reading with Katherine Brazenor and her senior mentor is Kateena O’Gorman SC.

    Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

  • Haban-Beer Astrid

    Astrid Haban-Beer has a practice incorporating criminal law, public law and regulatory investigations. Astrid’s practice includes appearing in jury trials, royal commissions, inquests and investigation hearings.

    Astrid has particular experience with matters involving organised crime, white collar crime including Federal Court criminal matters, corruption matters, Commonwealth Code matters, public interest immunity, and matters involving the intersection of criminal and civil law.

    Astrid is on the panel of special counsel able to be appointed under the Terrorism (Community Protection) Act 2003 (Vic).

    Astrid also has a special interest in mental impairment and hearings conducted pursuant to the Crimes (Mental Impairment and Unfitness to be Tried) Act. Astrid appears in special fitness hearings and supervision order/review proceedings.

    Astrid has a strong civil regulatory background and has acted for and against regulators across jurisdictions, including in both civil and criminal proceedings in the Federal Court, and state courts and tribunals.

    Astrid has a current high level security clearance and has capacity to undertake sensitive matters in a range of legal and/or investigatory contexts.

    Astrid undertakes court appearances (trials, pleas, committals and applications) and advice work across all jurisdictions, in criminal, quasi-criminal and civil proceedings, covering areas of:

    • proceedings arising out of investigations conducted by the ACCC, ASIC, ATO, AFP and IBAC;
    • Open Courts Act - suppression orders and related applications;
    • Murder, and violent crimes;
    • dangerous driving causing death;
    • White collar crime (including criminal proceedings in the Federal Court);
    • mental impairment (including special hearings and review proceedings);
    • public interest immunity and other privileges (including subpoena arguments);
    • competition and consumer law including civil penalty proceedings;
    • terrorism, organised crime and national security;
    • fraud and corruption offences;
    • drug offences;
    • sexual offences, including Commonwealth Criminal Code offences;
    • internet and cyber offences, including Commonwealth Criminal Code offences and privacy offences;
    • customs (including tariffs), biosecurity and quarantine offences, and animal cruelty matters;
    • copyright matters; and
    • Coroner's Court matters.

    Astrid has frequently acted for government and institutional clients, and individuals in a number of Royal Commissions including:

    • The Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants
    • The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
    • The Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption
    • The Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry.

    Astrid is a Victoria Legal Aid Criminal Trial Preferred Barrister, and holds an Indictable Crime Certificate (ICC).


    From 16 May 2013, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.

  • Brittany King

    Brittany practises in common law, insurance law and administrative law (judicial review), with a special interest in class actions. She is available to appear in all metropolitan and regional courts.

    Before coming to the Bar, Brittany was Associate to the Honourable Justice J Forrest and the Honourable Justice Tsalamandris at the Supreme Court of Victoria. Brittany assisted their Honours in the hearing and management of civil trials (both jury and judge alone), appeals and a range of interlocutory matters. Prior to this, Brittany worked at a national firm in the area of professional indemnity insurance.

    Brittany holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Master of Speech Pathology from the University of Melbourne, and a Juris Doctor from Monash University.

    Brittany read with Ben Jellis KC and her senior mentor is Jeremy Ruskin KC.


    Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation. The information referred to above has been supplied by the barrister concerned. Neither Victorian Bar Inc nor the barrister's clerk have independently verified the accuracy or completeness of the information and neither accepts any responsibility in that regard.

  • Wheelahan Eugene

    Eugene practises principally in tax law. He has acted for both taxpayers and the Commissioner of Taxation in leading cases in the High Court and Federal Court.

    Eugene advises and acts in disputes involving issues such as consolidation, transfer pricing, the CFC rules, thin capitalisation, double tax treaties, capital gains tax, the debt/equity rules, capital/revenue distinctions, losses, GST, taxation of trusts and Part IVA. He acts for clients in the mining, infrastructure, telecommunications and financial services industries, among others, providing opinions and assisting them in their dealings with the Commissioner during reviews, audits, objections and litigation.

    Eugene has a Master of Tax from the University of Melbourne where he is a Senior Fellow of the Law Faculty lecturing in the subject Tax Litigation and, previously, Tax Avoidance and Planning.

    He is the immediate past President of the Tax Bar Association and a Fellow of the Tax Institute of Australia.

    Eugene is consistently recognised in publications such as Doyles Guide, Chambers and Partners Asia Pacific, Who's Who Legal and Best Lawyers.

    Recent or significant cases in which Eugene has appeared as silk include (client in bold):

    • PepsiCo Inc. v Commissioner of Taxation (Full Federal Court – currently before the High Court)
    • Mylan Inc. v Commissioner of Taxation (Federal Court)
    • Bechtel Australia Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (Full Federal Court)
    • Minerva Financial Group Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (Full Federal Court)
    • Landcom v Commissioner of Taxation (Full Federal Court)
    • Ausnet Services Limited v Commissioner of Taxation (Full Federal Court - decision pending)
    • Clough Limited v Commissioner of Taxation (Full Federal Court)
    • Watson v Commissioner of Taxation (Full Federal Court and application to High Court for special leave)
    • Mussalli v Commissioner of Taxation (Application to High Court for special leave)
    • Moreton Resources Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (Full Federal Court)
    • Auctus Resources Pty Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (application to the High Court for special leave)
    • BHP Billiton Ltd v Commissioner of Taxation (High Court)

    From 24/07/2008, Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.

  • Alpins Fiona

    Fiona has a broad national practice as an advocate and adviser, in private and public law matters.

    She practises principally in taxation law (federal and state), commercial law, regulatory law and administrative law, at trial and appellate level.

    Fiona is listed as a leading administrative and public law barrister in Victoria in Doyle's Guide.

    Fiona is a former Deputy President of the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (2012-2017). She is a member of the International Association of Tax Judges.

    Fiona is also a former Senior Fellow at Melbourne Law School (2002, 2004-2005).



1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17