Seb practises in commercial litigation, including contracts, class actions, corporations, equity, insurance, and insolvency. He has experience appearing, both led and unled, in the Federal Court of Australia and Supreme Court of Victoria, as well as other courts and tribunals.
In addition to his commercial practice, Seb regularly appears to prosecute matters on behalf of the Commonwealth and also practises in sports law.
His experience before coming to the Bar includes:
Seb commenced his legal career as Associate to his Honour Judge William Everson of the District Court of Queensland. He graduated from the University of Queensland with degrees in Law (with Honours) and Science.
He read with Banjo McLachlan. Philip Crutchfield KC is his senior mentor.
Selected cases:
Appellate
Australian Grand Prix Corporation v World Touring Melbourne Limited – Court of Appeal, Supreme Court of Victoria – alleged breach of contract (led by Philip Crutchfield KC and Geoff Kozminsky)
Commercial law
Indi Pty Ltd as Trustee for the Hewitt Business Trust vs InComm TCN Holdings Pty Ltd – Supreme Court of Victoria – alleged breach of contract (led by Nicholas De Young KC)
Newman & Anor v Chubb – Supreme Court of Victoria – insurance dispute (led by Hamish Austin KC and Jessica Apel)
Intellectual property
Deakin University v Peter Macreadie & Anor – Federal Court of Australia – alleged breach of consumer law and trademark dispute (led by Luke Merrick KC)
Roller Networks Australia Pty Ltd v Rat Pack Adventures Pty Ltd & Ors – Federal Court of Australia – alleged breach of copyright and misuse of confidential information (led by Luke Merrick KC)
Interlocutory
Ryan Meuleman v Slater & Gordon Ltd – Supreme Court of Victoria – return of subpoena (led by Philip Crutchfield KC)
Stuart Smith (Liberal Party of Australia) v City of Boroondara – Supreme Court of Victoria – urgent interlocutory injunction concerning election materials during the 2025 Federal Election (led by Dean Luxton)
Sports law
AFL – providing written advice to the Board of an AFL Club
AFL – preparing written submissions to the AFL Tribunal on behalf of players
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
Ben practises in commercial, public law and discrimination matters. He has a significant practice in work-related areas, including employment law, industrial law and occupational health and safety.
Ben appears at trial and appellate level for a diverse range of clients. He regularly appears for corporations, government departments, individuals and associations at State and federal levels. He acts for clients in a variety of industries, including healthcare, education, manufacturing, construction and banking and finance.
Before coming to the Bar, Ben worked in private practice at Holding Redlich, predominantly in the workplace relations and safety team. He also practised in-house at KDR Victoria Pty Ltd (trading as Yarra Trams) and accepts briefs directly from in-house counsel.
Ben holds a Bachelor of Laws (with Honours) and Bachelor of Arts from Monash University.
Ben read with Jack Tracey KC. His senior mentor is Jonathan Kirkwood SC.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
Jonathan practices in commercial litigation.
He has a broad commercial practice involving trial and appellate advocacy, pleadings, opinion work and mediations principally in the Supreme Court and County Courts of Victoria.
He practices primarily in contracts, corporations law, insurance, real and personal property, partnerships and trusts, consumer law, banking and finance.
SELECT CASES:
SUPREME COURT OF VICTORIA
NAB v ANEW Climate LLC: Supreme Court of Victoria proceeding briefed by NAB regarding international account transfers, “Know Your Customer” regulations, freezing order, default judgment, garnishee application (with Hamish Austin KC)
GFL Developments Pty Ltd v SJ Moore Road Pty Ltd: Supreme Court of Victoria proceeding about real estate agent’s exclusive auction authority, whether certain and binding, entitlement to commission.
Manpreet Singh v Singh Associates Pty Ltd: Supreme Court of Victoria proceeding regarding unit trust dispute, alleged manufactured debts, oppression. Related subpoena disputes.
Candibon Pty Ltd v Nameplan Pty Ltd: Supreme Court of Victoria proceeding about partnership profits from greenfield site development projects. Security for costs application, subpoena dispute with implied waiver issue, further discovery applications, application to amend pleadings regarding contribution for “same damage”, application to withdraw admissions in pleadings.
Alco Aluminium Pty Ltd v Ferny Creek Store Pty Ltd & Ors: Supreme Court of Victoria proceeding briefed by lender about secured debts, consolidated loans, variations and oral terms.
Melbourne City Council v ATET: Supreme Court of Victoria proceeding briefed by MCC insurer about licence revocation, damages claim by licensee.
Tom Gibbons Pty Ltd v Vantage Integrated Services Pty Ltd & Ors: Supreme Court of Victoria proceeding about shareholder oppression.
M&R Transport (Vic) Pty Ltd v ISR Truck City Geelong Pty Ltd & Ors: Supreme Court of Victoria proceeding about shareholder oppression.
Gordion Holdings Pty Ltd v Ionnides & Ors: Supreme Court of Victoria proceeding regarding setting aside foreign default judgment, indemnity costs.
Kanyon Pty Ltd v Brett Hartwig: Supreme Court of Victoria proceeding about supplier indemnity under s 274 of ACL. Application to join third party supplier.
Archery Capital Pty Ltd v Rujan Properties Pty Ltd: Supreme Court of Victoria proceeding about enforcement of loan agreement, deed of forbearance, possession order, indemnity costs.
Frog Swamp Pty Ltd v Statewide Secured Investments Pty Ltd: Supreme Court of Victoria proceeding to set aside statutory demand; genuine dispute regarding valuation evidence (and many other statutory demand and creditors petition matters, not listed here)
Davison v Kempson: Successful appeal in Victorian Court of Appeal regarding testator family maintenance provision claim.
Secretary to the Department of Justice v YEE: Successful appeal in Victorian Court of Appeal from VCAT decision (with Phillip Solomon KC).
COUNTY COURT OF VICTORIA
SNH Products Pty Ltd (Veganpet) v Advanced Pet Care of Australia Pty Ltd: Supreme Court of Victoria proceeding about breach of supply contract, fitness for purpose, misleading and deceptive conduct, loss and damage.
Veneziano Coffee Roasters Pty Ltd v Appliance Maintenance Company Pty Ltd: County Court of Victoria proceeding briefed by insurer about applicability of Goods Act to commercial coffee roaster from USA, expert evidence about fitness for purpose.
Uebergang v AAI Limited: County Court of Victoria proceeding briefed by insurer about policy of insurance for property damage, remediation costs, inconvenience damages.
Palomares v Insurance Manufactuers of Australia Pty Ltd & Ors: County Court of Victoria proceeding briefed by insurer about policy of insurance for property damage, mould expert dispute, inconvenience damages.
Ashford v AAI Limited: County Court of Victoria proceeding briefed by insurer about policy of insurance for property damage, remediation costs, inconvenience damages (with Tyson Wodak).
Real Estate Institute of Victoria Ltd v Realestateview.com Pty Ltd: County Court of Victoria proceeding about breach of contract to produce real estate TV series, loss and damage, misleading and deceptive conduct, estoppel, quantum meruit, unjust enrichment.
Melbourne Facades Pty Ltd v CPB Contractors Pty Ltd and Lendlease Engineering Pty Ltd: County Court of Victoria proceeding about breaches of level crossing removal works contracts, written and implied terms, variations and waiver, misleading and deceptive conduct, estoppel and quantum meruit.
30HM SDA1 Pty Ltd v Accelerated Loans: County Court of Victoria proceeding about debt recovery by private lender.
Maersk Line A/S v Fertinvest Australia Pty Ltd: County Court of Victoria proceeding regarding breaches of bills of lading for shipping and freight costs.
OTHER EXPERIENCE
Brightgreen Pty Ltd v Marcott Pty Ltd: VCAT dispute regarding unlawful re-entry of leased premises, whether ‘retail premises’, whether land tax payable, whether unjust enrichment (with Robert Hay KC).
Jonathan also has extensive experience with interlocutory applications associated with all commercial disputes, including caveat removals, security for costs, subpoena applications, freezing and Mareva orders, and costs applications.
He runs The Commercial Law Barrister blog and endeavours to run a paperless practice.
"From 20th May 2011, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation."
Roshena practises in commercial and public law.
Prior to coming to the bar, Roshena was a Senior Associate at Corrs Chambers Westgarth. Roshena acted for multinationals, government authorities and large public and private entities in a variety of matters in the Federal Court, Supreme Court and appellate courts.
Roshena holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from Monash University and a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne.
Roshena read with the Honourable Justice Catherine Button and her senior mentor was the Honourable Justice Niall (then Solicitor-General for Victoria).
Practice
Roshena has advised and appeared both led and unled in commercial and public law matters. Select matters in which Roshena has been briefed include:
Connective Services Pty Ltd & Anor v Lees & Ors (reserved) – acted for defendant directors in a 52 day trial in the Supreme Court of Victoria involving allegations of breaches of directors’ duties (led by Michael Borsky QC).
Crown Melbourne Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and Licence
Perth Casino Royal Commission
Acting for the State of Victoria in disputes regarding the West Gate Tunnel Project (led by Martin Scott QC).
Acting for the taxpayer in a confidential transfer pricing matter.
Warrnambool Cheese & Butter Factory Company Holdings Limited v Mondelez Australia (Foods) Limited - environmental contamination (led by Tomo Boston QC).
Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry.
Amcor Flexibles Group Pty Ltd v AIG Australia Limited [2016] FCA 1428 – acted for insurer in dispute regarding breach of warranty on business purchase (led by Catherine Button QC).
Bodycorp Repairers Pty Ltd v GDG Legal Pty Ltd & Anor [2018] VSCA 32 and Bodycorp Repairers Pty Ltd v GDG Legal Pty Ltd & Anor [2017] VSC 200 – professional negligence (settled). Appeared both unled and led by Catherine Button QC.
Lopez v Harstedt Pty Ltd [2018] VSCA 19, Harstedt Pty Ltd v Tomanek [2018] VSCA 84 and Harstedt Pty Ltd v Apollo Development Enterprises Pty Ltd [2017] VCC 834 – fraudulent breach of trust and on appeal to the Court of Appeal (led by David Robertson QC).
Harstedt Pty Ltd v Lopez & Ors [2018] VCC 1361 - transfer of land with intent to defraud creditors (led by David Robertson QC).
Australian Motoring Services Pty Ltd v Victorian WorkCover Authority (VCAT, 2017) - acted for statutory authority in an insurance premium dispute (unled).
Celsius Fire Services Pty Ltd v Magistrates’ Court of Victoria - acted for plaintiff in Supreme Court judicial review proceedings arising out of a prosecution under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (Vic) (led by Timothy McEvoy QC and Anthony Strahan QC).
Dominion WFS Pty Ltd and Ors v Ace Insurance and Ors (Supreme Court of New South Wales) - contraventions of the Corporations Act and the Superannuation Industry (Supervision) Act (led by Andrew Coleman SC and Andrew Bailey).
After completing articles at a city firm and experience as a solicitor in regional Victoria, Sarah read with the late Geoff Flatman QC and signed the Bar Roll in 1989. Her main focus has always been Criminal Law. She holds an Indictable Crime Certificate and is on the VLA Criminal Trial Preferred Barrister List. She has been on the list of counsel retained by the OPP for many years.
Sarah has a busy criminal practice, appearing regularly in jury trials, committals and appeal courts. She is available for both prosecution and defence work. She also has extensive experience in the Coroners’ Court, at quasi-criminal tribunals and appearing in coercive examinations.
Louise practises primarily in commercial and public law.
A list of Louise’s recent matters can be found on her VicBar Profile here.
Before coming to the Bar, Louise was the General Counsel at the First Peoples’ Assembly of Victoria, where she delivered strategic advice on a broad range of public law, commercial and corporate governance matters. She has experience in inquiries and investigations.
Earlier, Louise worked as a Senior Associate at Clifford Chance LLP in London, where she specialised in complex commercial disputes and Environmental, Social, Governance (ESG) risk. She began her career at King & Wood Mallesons in Melbourne, in commercial litigation. Louise also served as Associate to the Hon. Justice Kenny AM of the Federal Court of Australia.
Louise holds a Master of Laws from Columbia University, where she was named a James Kent Scholar for outstanding academic achievement. She also holds a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Melbourne.
Louise read with Alexander Solomon-Bridge. Her senior mentor is Kathleen Foley SC.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation
Experience
John's mediation and ADR interest goes back to when he first became accredited as an ADR Specialist in 1994 with the Law Institute.
Here is his full history:
John will travel wherever he is called!
John is familiar with Gippsland (having established the Victorian Bar there 1983 - 1989), Albury-Wodonga region, Wagga Wagga, and Wangaratta (having worked as a Solicitor for a National firm managing their Estate Litigation and Family Law 2012-2014) and having appeared on circuit in Albury, Bendigo and Ballarat in the Family Court and FCFCoA.
John says:
"I believe that there is a solution for every dispute and that Mediation can not only save both parties costs but also achieve a resolution that may not be available at the end of a long, costly and often bitter court dispute."
John has a broad commercial practice with a particular interest in professional negligence matters. John also acts in matters involving contract law, property law (including leasing), insolvency and bankruptcy, the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth) and incorporated associations.
John also acts in wills, probate and family provision matters.
John is a Nationally Accredited Mediator and accepts briefs to mediate commercial disputes, wills and probate and family provision matters and disputes involving incorporated associations.
John also has experience in sports law having been a tribunal member for the Victorian Amateur Football Association (VAFA) since 2018. John is also the chair of the Independent Integrity Division at the VAFA and has undertaken racial discrimination conciliations on behalf of the VAFA.
John is an author for the Victorian Courts civil procedure commentary published by Thomson Reuters. John graduated from the University of Melbourne with bachelors degrees in Laws (Hons) and Arts.
Cases can be found here.
From 01 May 2014, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
Luisa has a broad civil law practice, including general commercial law, public law and tort law.
Luisa has experience in contractual disputes, misleading and deceptive conduct disputes, trademark and passing off, copyright infringement, and media and defamation. She also has experience acting in royal commissions.
Luisa also practises in family law and is experienced in representing clients in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia (Div 1 and 2) at the trial and appellate levels. She is regularly briefed to advise and appear - both led and unled - in complex property disputes and trust matters, including on behalf of third parties.
Luisa regularly advises - both led and unled - on complex statutory interpretation issues, insurance coverage disputes, and defamation.
A sample of Luisa’s recent experience includes:
Litigation (party represented is underlined)
Melbourne Market Authority v Biodynamic Marketing Co Ltd & Ors (2025) (ongoing) - led by P Crutchfield KC and Kat Brazenor.
Albeck v Dentons Australia Ltd & Anor (2024) (ongoing) – adverse action complaint, breach of settlement agreement – led by Anthony Strahan KC.
Genesalio & Genesalio (No 5) [2024] FedCFamC1F 450 – application for joinder and summary dismissal application – led by Albert Dinelli KC.
Monash IVF Pty Ltd & Ors v Insurance Australia Ltd (settled 2024) – led by Anthony Strahan KC.
Genesalio and Genesalio (No 4) [2023] FedCFamC1A 216 – appeal from order dismissing application for disqualification of primary judge for apprehended bias – led by Albert Dinelli KC.
Krapivensky v Brodsky & Ors (2023) – cross-vesting application – led by Michael Wyles KC.
Genesalio & Genesalio (2023) 67 Fam LR 186 – appeal from joinder decision – unled.
Genesalio & Genesalio [2023] FedCFamC1 160 – application for joinder – led by Albert Dinelli KC.
Royal Commissions and inquiries
Yoorrook Justice Commission (2023 - ongoing) – briefed on behalf of the State of Victoria – led by Dan Star KC, Georgina Coghlan KC, Elizabeth Bennett SC, Emrys Nekvapil SC, with Helen Tiplady, Sarah Keating and others.
Before coming to the Bar, Luisa was an Associate to the Honourable Justice Digby in the Supreme Court of Victoria, and to the Honourable Justices Macmillan and McEvoy in the Family Court of Australia, and a solicitor at Media Arts Lawyers.
Luisa holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Melbourne, and a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Business (MediaComms) (Hons) from Monash University.
Luisa read with Helen Tiplady, and her senior mentor is Penny Neskovcin KC (now the Honourable Justice Neskovcin)
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.
Brittany has a broad practice across public law, common law, criminal and quasi-criminal law matters. She has a particular interest in trial and appellate work.
Brittany holds an Indictable Crime Certificate (ICC).
Before coming to the Bar, Brittany practised as a solicitor in criminal, civil, and administrative law. She developed strong written and oral advocacy skills through her diverse experience.
Most recently, Brittany was an Associate to the Hon. Justice Jane Dixon in the Supreme Court of Victoria.
She was previously a Solicitor at Victoria Legal Aid, a Civil Lawyer at the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency in Alice Springs, and a Solicitor at the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office.
As a solicitor, Brittany regularly appeared and instructed in Courts and Tribunals. At VLA, she appeared frequently in Magistrates’ Court mentions, contest mentions, pleas, and intervention order proceedings.
Brittany read with Astrid Haban-Beer. Her senior mentor is Ruth Shann SC.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
Cal has a broad practice in public law spanning first instance and appellate matters. Cal also accepts briefs in some commercial law, common law and industrial law matters.
He has appeared in the High Court (special leave, led), the Federal Court (led and unled), the FCFCA (led and unled), the Supreme Court of Victoria (Court of Appeal and Trial Division, led and unled), the Supreme Court of Queensland (Trial Division, led), the County Court of Victoria (unled), the VCAT (led and unled), the AAT (led) and the Coroner’s Court of Victoria (led and unled).
Cal also has experience acting for CEOs, senior executives, and Ministers of the Crown called before boards of inquiry, parliamentary inquires, regulators (e.g., APRA), anti-corruption commissions (e.g., IBAC) and ombudsmen, including when subject to compulsory examination.
Cal holds an LLM (Public Law) from the London School of Economics and Political Science (2012 to 2013), where he studied as a Chevening Scholar, and was awarded the Stanley De Smith Prize for the best overall performance in the public law specialism. In his undergraduate studies, Cal was awarded the Dean’s Merit List Award in Law.
Cal read with Nick Wood S.C., and his senior mentor was Sturt Glacken K.C.
Before coming to the Bar, Cal was Deputy General Counsel/Senior Adviser to the then Premier of Victoria (2016 to 2021), an adviser at the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (2014 to 2016), and a solicitor in the commercial team at Hunt & Hunt Lawyers (2011 to 2012).
Cal currently sits on the Indigenous Justice Committee of the Victorian Bar, and is a member of Koiki Mabo Chambers.
For a sample list of cases and inquiries, click here.
From 7 May 2021, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
Ben specialises in commercial law and appears in trial and appellate courts in all jurisdictions in Australia.
Ben was called to the Bar in 2007. He read with Stephen McLeish SC (now Justice McLeish of the Court of Appeal).
Prior to coming to the Bar Ben was an Associate to (then) Justice Finkelstein at the Federal Court of Australia, a solicitor at Blake Dawson Waldron (now Ashurst) and a management consultant.
Ben has a Juris Doctor degree from the University of Melbourne where he was awarded the Dean's Award (Stage 2) and subject prizes for taxation, trusts and evidence. Ben also holds a Bachelors degree and a Masters degree in Economics.
Ben has been listed in Doyles Guide in the areas of Leading Commercial Litigation & Dispute Resolution Junior Counsel (2023, 2024 and 2025) and Leading Insolvency & Restructuring Junior Counsel (2022, 2023 and 2024).
Cases in which Ben has appeared include:
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.