Matthew Hooper SC practices in common law, principally in personal injury cases of all kinds, professional negligence claims, and insurance indemnity disputes. He has a special interest in appeals and complex cases, such as those involving interpretation of workers compensation legislation and the Wrongs Act, the construction of insurance contracts, and choice of law questions (including in cross-border cases).
Matthew predominantly appears in the Supreme Court, including the Court of Appeal, as well as the County Court. He has appeared several times in the High Court of Australia. His recent cases include:
From 03 May 2012, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
Aaron Weinstock appears and advises in commercial disputes, focusing on banking and finance, energy and resources, corporations and securities.
Before coming to the Bar, Aaron practised as a solicitor at 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."
Julia has a broad practice that includes commercial law, public law, criminal law and industrial disputes. She has appeared in trial and appellate matters, led and unled, across those areas.
Prior to the Bar, Julia was an Associate to the Hon Justice Nettle AC in the High Court in 2018 and to the Hon Chief Justice Warren AC in the Supreme Court in 2015 to 2016. She was previously a Principal Solicitor at the Office of Public Prosecutions and a solicitor in the Litigation and Victoria Police branches of the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office.
Julia holds a Bachelor of Science (Mathematics and Statistics) and a Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours; Supreme Court Prize) from the University of Melbourne. She also holds a Bachelor of Civil Law (Distinction) from the University of Oxford. She has lectured in Remedies and Torts in the JD program at Melbourne Law School.
Recent cases in which Julia has appeared include:
From 7 May 2021, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
Julia practises broadly, with an emphasis on criminal law, regulatory and disciplinary matters, inquests and inquiries. She also accepts briefs in public law and appears in some common law matters, such as major torts.
Prior to coming to the bar, Julia was a solicitor advocate at the North Australian Aboriginal Justice Agency, an associate to the Hon. Justice Jane Dixon in the Supreme Court of Victoria and a solicitor at Fitzroy Legal Service in a health-justice partnership with St Vincent’s Hospital.
Julia holds a Bachelor of Arts (Media & Communications) from the University of Melbourne and a Juris Doctor from Monash University.
Julia is reading with Amelia Beech. Her senior mentor was the Hon. Justice Elizabeth Bennett.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation
Sam practises in a wide range of common law and commercial matters, with a focus on personal injury, intentional torts, WorkCover, Transport Accident and public liability matters. He also has experience in judicial review and Coronial Inquests.
Before coming to the bar Sam was an Associate at MinterEllison where he acted for a wide range of public and private clients in personal injury and general insurance matters. Sam also gained extensive litigation experience as a solicitor at the Victorian Government Solicitors Office (VGSO).
Sam accepts briefs to advise and appear for both plaintiffs and defendant. He has experience appearing both led and unled in the Supreme, County Court and Magistrate’s Court of Victoria. He also has a practise in the appellate jurisdiction.
Sam read with Michael Clarke and his Senior Mentor is Liam Brown SC.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
Timothy accepts civil and commercial briefs, and is a Nationally Accredited Mediator (AMDRAS). He is a Reporter for the Victorian Reports.
Before being called to the Bar, Timothy was a solicitor at MinterEllison (2014-17), and Associate to the Honourable Justice Beach of the Federal Court of Australia (2017-18).
Timothy is admitted to the degrees of Master of Laws (2022), Juris Doctor (2013), and Bachelor of Arts (2010) in the University of Melbourne, where he was an Editor of the Melbourne Journal of International Law (2013). He is a Professional Member of the Australian Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association (RITP), and a Graduate Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors (GAICD).
He read with Robert Craig (as his Honour then was).
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.
Karen has a broad practice in common law, insurance and administrative matters, with a focus in health and medical law.
Prior to coming to the bar, she was a solicitor at K&L Gates in the insurance litigation team where she had carriage of a range of medical negligence and other personal injury claims. She acted on behalf of hospitals, health practitioners, emergency services and other organisations, instructed both directly and through insurers.
Karen has acted in complex, multi-party civil litigated claims, high profile coronial inquests, health privacy proceedings and disciplinary matters. She is also familiar with statutory insurance regimes, having acted in a range of claims arising out of workplace injuries and transport accidents. Karen has particular expertise and interest in novel duty of care issues, medical consent cases as well as claims arising out of obstetric and gynaecological treatment.
She has provided continuing professional development seminars and legal updates to clients on a range of topics, including Limitation of Actions Act (Vic) 1958 issues, judicial review decisions and the development of wrongful birth claims in Victoria.
In addition to her background, Karen has an interest in health regulation, product liability and criminal proceedings arising out of the provision of healthcare.
Karen is reading with Robert Harper and her senior mentor is Roslyn Kaye KC.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
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 specialises in criminal law and accepts briefs in other areas.
Tom has appeared unled and with a leader in jury trials as counsel for the defence, and in numerous summary trials, intermediate appeals, and contested applications.
He commenced his legal career as a solicitor at Galbally & O’Bryan, and worked for a number of years at NAAJA as a solicitor-advocate and the manager of the East Arnhem Land practice. Tom has also worked at Legal Aid New South Wales. Before signing the Victorian bar roll, Tom practised at the Northern Territory bar and was a founding member of Mindil Chambers.
Tom holds a master’s degree from UCLA School of Law where he was a Dean's Fellow.
He was also judicial extern for the Honorable David O. Carter of the Federal District Court of Central California, sitting principally in the civil docket.
Tom also worked as a researcher for Professor Angela Riley, and represented the Native Nations Law & Policy Centre at the United Nations in Geneva as an accredited delegate in relation to his research.
Tom accepts work internationally, most recently spending time in northern Myanmar training local lawyers and advising on strategic human rights litigation for an international non-governmental organisation.
Tom has spent a number of seasons as the reporting officer representing AFLNT in tribunal hearings.
Tom also accepts work in jurisdictions interstate, and is a member of the New South Wales Legal Aid Indictable Criminal Law Barrister Panel, and the Northern Territory Indictable Legal Aid Panel.
He is reading with Anthony Lewis and his senior mentor is Ruth Shann SC.
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 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 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.
Alannah practises broadly across public law, commercial law and all areas of employment, industrial relations, discrimination and occupational health and safety law.
Before coming to the Bar, Alannah was a Senior Solicitor in the Human Rights team at the Victorian Government Solicitor's Office, where she conducted litigation under the Charter of Human Rights and Responsibilities Act 2006 (Vic) and advised the Victorian Government on a range of Charter issues.
Earlier, Alannah worked as a Senior Associate in the Workplace Relations & Safety team at Lander & Rogers, where she advised and represented private and public sector clients in general employment, industrial, discrimination and occupational health and safety matters.
Alannah also served as an Associate to the Honourable Justice Richards of the Supreme Court of Victoria.
Alannah has a Juris Doctor and a Bachelor of Arts with first class honours from Monash University, where she won prizes for individual subjects and overall performance.
Alannah is reading with Sarala Fitzgerald and her senior mentors are Jonathan Kirkwood SC and Kylie Evans KC.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
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.
Philip has a significant practice, regularly appearing in both appeals and trials: in the High Court of Australia, the Federal Court of Australia and the Supreme Court of Victoria. His principal areas of practice comprise: administrative law, contracts, commercial and corporations law, taxation, equity and trusts, insurance (including personal injury), and negligence.
Philip is listed as a leading Australian Queen’s Counsel by Chambers and Partners (Asia-Pacific: 2018, and then each year following); as a leading commercial litigation and dispute resolution Queen’s Counsel in Victoria in Doyles Guide (2015, and then each year following); and as a Leading Silk (Class 1) in The Legal 500.
Chambers and Partners described Philip as follows:
Philip Solomon is widely acknowledged by interviewees as an “outstanding barrister”, a number noting that, as one source puts it, he is “a silk who involves himself as much in the detail as in the broad strategic direction of the case.” Several of his most valuable qualities are listed by a client who reports that he is “very strong in the commercial area, has great financial literacy, takes control of the situation without getting distracted by all the noise, and can spot what is going to happen.” Particularly noted for his busy appellate practice, he is also seen in tax disputes, on large commercial cases and in high-level cross-border litigation.
Legal 500 described Philip as follows:
Excellent written and oral advocate; crisp, clear and concise. A pleasure to deal with in running cases and works well behind the scenes with junior Counsel.
Philip graduated from the University of Melbourne with the degree of Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours in 1991; and was awarded a Master of Law Degree with First Class Honours from the University of Cambridge in 1994.
Details of Philip’s previous appearances may be seen via the CV link.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
Emily Golshtein practises primarily in common law and administrative law, including commissions and inquiries. Emily is regularly briefed to advise, prepare written work, and appear in trials, appeals and other hearings within those fields.
Before coming to the Bar, Emily was Senior Associate to the Honourable Justices Kaye AM and Bell AO in the Supreme Court of Victoria. As an Associate, Emily worked in both the trial and appellate divisions of the Court. Prior to her Associateships, Emily worked as a solicitor at the Transport Accident Commission (TAC), and in the Office of the Co-Prosecutors at the United Nations Extraordinary Chambers in the Courts of Cambodia.
Emily is listed in the 2024 and 2025 Doyle's Guide as a leading junior counsel in administrative and public law. Emily is a member of the Common Law Bar Association and Women Barristers Bar Association.
Emily read with Anna Robertson (now Her Honour Judge Robertson). Her senior mentor is Jeremy Ruskin KC.
A selection of recent and ongoing matters in which Emily has been briefed can be found here.
From 9 Dec 2016, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
Hannah has a broad commercial law practice.
Hannah accepts briefs in a variety of areas including complex contractual and financial disputes, insolvency, class actions, regulatory investigations, equity and trusts, Australian consumer law and Corporations Act matters. This broad commercial practice also extends to property and constructions matters, partnerships and franchising disputes.
Prior to coming to the Bar, Hannah worked as a Senior Associate at Gadens where she had an extensive commercial practice advising and acting for clients in a range of matters, including:
During her time as a solicitor Hannah has appeared in various proceedings including in the Supreme Court of Victoria, Federal Court of Australia, and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT).
Hannah holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) and Law from the University of Wollongong.
Hannah is reading with Ben Gibson and her senior mentor is Hamish Austin KC.
Jeremy practices in common law (with a particular interest in professional negligence and workplace incidents), administrative law, professional regulation, coronial inquests, inquiries, insurance, and judicial review. Jeremy also has an interest in regulatory prosecutions.
Prior to coming to the Bar, Jeremy had 15 years’ experience as a solicitor in private practice acting for defendants; and as a government lawyer for a national regulator.
As a solicitor in private practice Jeremy acted for defendants in a wide range of matters, including: common law negligence proceedings (professional negligence and workplace incidents); anti-discrimination complaints and associated proceedings; regulatory investigations and prosecutions by the Department of Health (Medicines and Poisons Regulation); investigations and prosecutions under occupational health and safety legislation; professional disciplinary investigations by the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (Ahpra) and the National Boards (and various State vet boards); coronial investigations and inquests; and associated appellate work. Jeremy also advised a major insurer with respect to claims made under professional indemnity insurance policies, including with respect to indemnity, liability and quantum. Jeremy finished his time in private practice as a Senior Associate at a mid-tier firm.
Most recently Jeremy was a Senior Legal Advisor at Ahpra where he advised Ahpra, the Boards, and investigators; and managed tribunal proceedings (referrals and merits review), and associated appellate work.
Prior to being admitted, Jeremy was Associate to His Honour Judge Barnett and subsequently His Honour Judge Misso in the County Court of Victoria.
Jeremy is reading with Raph Ajzensztat. His senior mentor is Ben Ihle KC.
Ross practises primarily in commercial law with an emphasis on corporations law, competition and consumer law, contractual disputes, class actions, equity and trusts, investigations and inquiries, intellectual property and public law.
Before coming to the Bar, Ross served as the Associate to the Honourable Justice Anderson at the Federal Court of Australia.
Ross also practised as a lawyer at Corrs Chambers Westgarth, in its commercial disputes and intellectual property teams where he acted in a range of complex commercial disputes and investigations.
He holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts from Monash University. Ross was also a student tutor in trusts law at Monash University.
He is reading with Jesse Rudd and his senior mentor is James Peters AM KC.
*Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation