- Jeremy Smith
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.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
- Michaela Kennedy
Michaela practises in all areas of common law, predominantly in personal injuries. Her practice includes workplace injuries, transport accidents, public liability, medical negligence, superannuation and insurance disputes.
She has a special interest in coronial inquests.
Before coming to the Bar, Michaela was an Associate at Maurice Blackburn. While at Maurice Blackburn, she worked within the firm’s Complex Litigation Team, focusing solely on County Court and Supreme Court litigation across Victoria, including the Mildura, Latrobe Valley and Geelong circuits.
In 2022, Michaela was the Victorian and Australian Golden Gavel winner, a stand-up comedy competition for lawyers. In 2023, she was a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 awards in the category of Health, Medical and Personal Injury.
Michaela holds a Bachelor of Laws from Deakin University.
Michaela is reading with Raph Ajzensztat and her senior mentor is James Mighell KC.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
- Ross Allen
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
- Killian Donohoe
Killian
practices in all areas of common law, with a particular focus on personal
injury (including industrial accidents, public liability, transport accidents,
institutional abuse and medical negligence) and insurance.
He
has special interests in health and medical law, defamation and professional
indemnity.
Before coming to the
Bar, Killian was a Senior Associate in Lander & Rogers’ general insurance
team in Sydney, practising in both New South Wales and Victoria. He acted on
behalf of private and government insurers in respect of common law damages claims
in the public liability and property damage streams, including advising on
indemnity issues. Killian was also a Senior Associate at Russell Kennedy where
he acted on behalf of the Victorian WorkCover Authority in defence of statutory
benefits, serious injury, and common law damages claims.
Killian holds a
Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University, as well as a
Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the Australian National University. He
is currently undertaking a Masters of Public Policy at the University of
Sydney.
Killian is reading
with Tom Storey and his senior mentor is Matthew Hooper SC.
- Adrian McMillan
Adrian has a practice focusing on compulsory acquisition, planning and environmental law, class actions and general commercial law.
Before coming to the Bar, Adrian was a Senior Associate at Slater and Gordon and a member of the Land Rights and Disputes team in the Class Actions department.
Adrian graduated with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of International Relations from La Trobe University. He is a Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Specialist in Planning and Environmental Law.
Adrian is reading with Ian Munt. His senior mentor is Meg O'Sullivan KC.
- Zeleznikow Sarah
Sarah practises primarily in commercial and public law. Sarah also accepts briefs in law enforcement, quasi-criminal and some common law matters.
Sarah is regularly briefed to advise and appear in trials, appeals and other hearings within those fields, including in competition and consumer, financial services, constitutional and statutory interpretation matters. In 2018, Sarah was part of the team of counsel assisting the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry.
Before coming to the Bar, Sarah was an Associate to the Hon Justice Stephen Gageler AC at the High Court of Australia. Sarah also worked as a Trial Division Researcher at the Supreme Court of Victoria, a solicitor in the Dispute Resolution team of King & Wood Mallesons, and a sessional lecturer in the JD program at Melbourne Law School.
Sarah holds undergraduate degrees in Arts and Law (with First Class Honours) from the University of Melbourne, and a Master of Laws from Harvard Law School.
Recent matters in which Sarah has been briefed include:
Commercial and regulatory law
-
Australian Uyghur Tangritagh Women’s Association Inc v Kmart Australia Limited (Federal Court of Australia, ongoing): for the respondent, led by J Kirkwood SC
-
Electoral Commissioner of the Australian Electoral Commission v Laming [2025] HCA 31; (2025) 99 ALJR 1260; [2024] HCASL 330 and (2024) 304 FCR 561: for the Commissioner, led by T Begbie KC
-
InstantScripts Pty Ltd v Secretary, Department of Health and Aged Care (Federal Court of Australia, 2024, resolved prior to hearing): for the Department, led by G Hill SC
-
Karpik v Carnival plc [2023] HCA 39; (2023) 280 CLR 640: for the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth and the ACCC, intervening, led by S Donaghue KC (then Solicitor-General of the Commonwealth) and R Higgins SC, with S Rajanayagam
-
Re Telstra Corporation Ltd [2023] ACompT 1; (2023) 376 FLR 1: for the ACCC, led by M Hodge KC, with D Roche and M Salinger
-
ACCC v Ashton Raggatt McDougall Pty Ltd [2023] FCA 351; (2023) 167 ACSR 376: for the ACCC, led by E Bennett SC
- Proceedings under the Anti-Money Laundering and Counter-Terrorism Financing Act 2006 (Cth) (Federal Court of Australia): for the CEO of AUSTRAC, led by M Hodge KC, with C Gleeson, A Poukchanski and W Liu
-
ACCC v BlueScope Steel Ltd (Federal Court of Australia): for the ACCC, led by M Hodge KC, with S Chordia (see, eg, [2020] FCA 625)
-
Vodafone Hutchison Australia Pty Ltd v ACCC [2020] FCA 117: for the ACCC, led by M Hodge KC and C Button KC, with N de Young, T Prince and D Foster
-
Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry (2018): Part of the team of counsel assisting, led by R Orr KC and M Hodge KC, with A Dinelli, E Dias, M Costello, M Hosking, C Schneider and T Farhall
-
Director, Consumer Affairs Victoria v The Reject Shop [2018] FCA 211: for the respondent company, led by R Orr KC and P Neskovcin KC
-
Application for merger authorisation by Tabcorp Holdings [2017] ACompT 1; ATPR 42-550: for the ACCC, led by A McClelland KC, with K Anderson, P Thiagarajan and I Cowen
-
Abrahams v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (Federal Court of Australia, 2017, resolved prior to hearing): for the applicants, led by R Merkel KC, with E Nekvapil
Sarah also has experience in: other aspects of Part IV of the Competition and Consumer Act 2010 (Cth), including cartel conduct (led by R Higgins SC, with A Poukchanski and O Ronan), misuse of market power (Federal Court of Australia, led by R Orr KC, with D Roche) and informal merger clearances (led by P Collinson KC with S Hogan and S Rajanayagam); the Australian Consumer Law (led by A McClelland KC and M Hodge KC); and proceedings under the Australian Securities and Investments Commission Act 2001 (Cth).
Constitutional law
-
Minister for Planning v IGA Retail Services Pty Ltd (High Court of Australia, ongoing): for the Commonwealth, intervening, led by T Begbie KC, with P Banerjee
-
EGH19 v The Commonwealth [2026] HCA 7: for the Commonwealth, led by S Donaghue KC, with M Hosking
-
Maxwell v Hersant [2025] VCC 1923 and Magistrates’ Court of Victoria, Case No P12425201: for the Attorney-General of Victoria, intervening (with M Brown in the County Court of Victoria)
-
YBFZ v The Commonwealth [2024] HCA 40; (2024) 99 ALJR 1: for the Commonwealth, led by S Donaghue KC, with M Hosking
-
Albyn Queensland Pty Ltd v Australian Postal Corporation [2024] VSC 584: for the Attorney-General of Victoria, intervening, with L Chircop
-
Yuan An v Australian Broadcasting Corporation [2024] VSC 518: for the Attorney-General of Victoria, intervening, with L Chircop
-
Vanderstock v Victoria [2023] HCA 30; (2023) 279 CLR 333: for the State of Victoria, led by R Orr KC, Solicitor-General for Victoria, with M Salinger
-
Carr v Attorney-General of the Commonwealth [2023] FCA 1500; (2023) 300 FCR 562: for the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth, led by T Begbie KC
-
Unions NSW v New South Wales [No 3] [2023] HCA 4; (2023) 277 CLR 627: for the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth, intervening, led by S Donaghue KC, with S Rajanayagam
-
Thurin v Krongold Constructions (Aust) Pty Ltd [2022] VSCA 226; (2022) 407 ALR 187: for the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth, intervening, led by G Hill SC
-
Minister for Immigration, Citizenship, Migrant Services and Multicultural Affairs v Montgomery (High Court of Australia, resolved prior to judgment): for the Northern Land Council, intervening, led by S Glacken KC
-
LibertyWorks Inc v The Commonwealth [2021] HCA 18; (2021) 274 CLR 1: for the Commonwealth, led by S Donaghue KC, with B Lim
-
Zhang v Commissioner of Police [2021] HCA 16; (2021) 273 CLR 216: for the Commissioner, led by S Donaghue KC and P Herzfeld SC
-
Palmer v Western Australia [2020] FCA 1220 and [2020] FCA 1221: for the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth, intervening, led by S Donaghue KC, with P Herzfeld and M Hosking
-
Zheng v Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police [2020] HCATrans 91: for the Commissioner, led by L Cheeseman SC, with D O’Leary
-
Smethurst v Commissioner of Police [2020] HCA 14; (2020) 272 CLR 177: for the Commissioner and the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth, intervening, led by S Donaghue KC and C Lenehan SC
-
Minogue v Victoria [No 2] [2019] HCA 31; (2019) 268 CLR 1: for the State of Victoria, led by P Hanks KC, with A Pound
-
Palmer v Australian Electoral Commission [2019] HCA 24; (2019) 269 CLR 196: for the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth, led by S Donaghue KC, with G del Villar
-
Re Canavan [2017] HCA 45; (2017) 263 CLR 284: for Mr Windsor, led by R Merkel KC and J Gleeson SC, with E Nekvapil
Sarah also has experience in matters relating to ss 51(xxxi) (High Court of Australia, led by R Orr KC, with T Goodwin), 90 (High Court of Australia, led by K Walker KC, Solicitor-General for Victoria, R Orr KC and C Young SC) and 109 of the Constitution (Supreme Court of Victoria, led by P Hanks KC).
Other public law matters
-
Patrick v Australian Information Commissioner [2024] HCASL 291: for the Commissioner, led by Z Maud SC, with A Wharldall
-
Northern Territory of Australia v Aboriginal Land Commissioner [2023] FCA 1183: for the Northern Land Council, led by S Glacken KC
-
Harris v Victorian Electoral Commission [2020] VSC 676; (2020) 62 VR 460: for the plaintiffs, led by P Hanks KC
-
DBE17 v Minister for Immigration and Border Protection [2019] HCA 47; (2019) 266 CLR 156 (and related proceedings in the Federal Court of Australia): for the applicant, led by B Walker SC and B Quinn KC, with M Albert and M Guo
-
Chief Commissioner of Police v AMJK Pty Ltd [2018] VSC 250: for the Chief Commissioner, led by P Hanks KC
-
Northern Territory v Griffiths; Commonwealth v Griffiths [2017] FCAFC 106; (2017) 256 FCR 478: for the native title party, led by S Glacken KC, with G Hill
- Proceedings in the original jurisdiction of the High Court of Australia, the original and appellate jurisdictions of the Federal Court of Australia and the Federal Circuit Court of Australia under the Migration Act 1958 (Cth): for both the applicant and the Minister, and both led and unled (see, eg, Lasalo v Minister for Immigration, Citizenship and Multicultural Affairs [2024] FCA 790)
Law enforcement and quasi-criminal matters
- Pre-committal and pre-trial hearings in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria and the County Court of Victoria: for the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police
-
Benbrika v Attorney-General of the Commonwealth; Attorney-General of the Commonwealth v Benbrika [2024] VSC 265; (2024) 74 VR 379: for the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth, led by P Hanks KC, with S Rajanayagam and M Jackson
-
Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police v Luppino [2021] FCAFC 43; (2021) 284 FCR 233: for the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, led by N Williams SC
- Proceedings under the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth) (County Court of Victoria): for the Commissioner of the Australian Federal Police, led by R Craig KC
- Proceedings under the Extradition Act 1988 (Cth): for the requested person, led by R Orr KC, C Harris KC and L De Ferrari SC (see, eg, United States v Ghodskani [2018] FCA 14)
Sarah also has experience in foreign bribery matters (led by R Orr KC, with M Keks).
Common law
-
Eildon Resort Pty Ltd v State of Victoria (Supreme Court of Victoria, resolved prior to hearing): for the State of Victoria, led by L Brown, Crown Counsel
- Tortious proceedings for the recovery of land (Supreme Court of Victoria, resolved prior to hearing): for a local council, led by R Orr KC, with R Knowles
- Proceedings alleging professional negligence against legal representatives (Supreme Court of Victoria): for a member of counsel, led by D Collins KC, and for a firm of solicitors, led by S Horgan KC
Sarah also has experience in matters involving false imprisonment, misfeasance in public office and novel duties of care.
Sarah was a reporter for the Commonwealth Law Reports from 2016-2022.
From 27 Oct 2016, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
- Claire Jago
Claire has a broad practice that includes class actions, general commercial law, public law and quasi-criminal law.
Before coming to the Bar, Claire was a Senior Associate at Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer working in class actions and general commercial disputes.
Claire also previously practised as a trial division solicitor at the Office of Public Prosecutions, and was an Associate to the Hon Justice Nettle AC at the High Court of Australia.
Claire holds a Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws (First Class Honours; University Medal in Law) from the University of Tasmania. She also holds a Bachelor of Civil Law (Dist) from the University of Oxford, where she was awarded the Rupert Cross Prize in Evidence.
Claire is an author of Zuckerman on Australian Civil Procedure: Principles of Practice (LexisNexis, 2023), and has lectured in Administrative Law, Tort Law and Remedies across the University of Melbourne JD and University of Tasmania LLB.
Claire is reading with Mark Hosking, and her senior mentor is Philip Solomon KC.
- Harriet Haig
Harriet specialises in common law and insurance litigation. Her practice includes work accidents, transport accidents, public liability, medical negligence and torts generally.
She is available to appear, advise and draft paperwork in all jurisdictions for both plaintiffs and defendants.
As a solicitor Harriet practised in insurance litigation. She has represented plaintiffs, corporations and insurers across a range of personal injury, public liability and other insurance matters.
Harriet was associate to His Honour Judge Ginnane in the County Court of Victoria. She assisted his Honour with hearing serious injury applications and common law damages trials, as well as managing the self-represented litigant serious injury list.
Harriet is reading with Julia Frederico and her senior mentor is James Mighell KC.
- Janey Nestadt
Janey has a broad practice and accepts briefs in civil law, criminal law and public law.
Before coming to the Bar, Janey was a solicitor at the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office where she gained extensive litigation experience in the County Court, Supreme Court and Court of Appeal.
Prior to the VGSO, Janey was an Associate to His Honour Judge McInerney of the County Court.
Earlier, Janey worked in regulatory and product compliance at MECCA Brands.
Janey studied at the University of Melbourne and holds a Juris Doctor, as well as a Bachelor of Science (Neuroscience) with first class honours.
Janey is reading with Amanda Burnnard and her senior mentor is Ben Ihle KC.
Liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards Legislation.
- Glacken Sturt
Sturt Glacken has a broad commercial and public law practice with emphasis on appellate work in equity and judicial review. He has appeared in a range
of prominent cases in the High Court, Federal Court and Supreme Courts. Prior to coming to the Bar, Sturt was a solicitor at Minter Ellison, and a
legal policy adviser in the Federal and State Parliaments.
For more detail, including key cases in which Sturt has appeared, see linked curriculum vitae.
From 01 Jul 2008, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.
- David Osz
David practises primarily in public and commercial law. He also accepts briefs in State revenue law matters, equity and trusts, quasi-criminal and general appellate matters.
Before coming to the Bar, David was a senior solicitor in the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office (Constitution and Advice Team), and Crown Counsel at the Office of the Solicitor-General in Tasmania. In the latter position, David was briefed to appear for and advise a wide range of clients in areas including constitutional law, administrative law, discrimination law, state revenue law and trusts law (including charitable trusts). He appeared, both led and unled, in all levels of Tasmanian courts and in the High Court of Australia.
David holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours in Law from the University of Tasmania.
David is reading with Sarah Zeleznikow, and his senior mentor is Chris Young KC.
Matters in which David appeared during his time as Crown Counsel include:
High Court
Led by S K Kay SC for the Attorney-General for the State of Tasmania (Intervening)
Led by M E O’Farrell SC for the Attorney-General for the State of Tasmania (Intervening)
Led by S K Kay for the Attorney-General for the State of Tasmania (Intervening)
Full Court of the Supreme Court of Tasmania
Led by S K Kay SC for the Attorney-General for the State of Tasmania
Led by M E O’Farrell SC for the Attorney-General for the State of Tasmania
Led by P Turner SC for the State of Tasmania
Led by M E O’Farrell SC for the State of Tasmania
- Jack Aquilina
Jack Aquilina specialises in tax and revenue
law across all areas of Federal and State taxation. He also appears in
appellate matters, commercial law and public law disputes.
In 2025, Jack was recognised in the Best
Lawyers 'One to Watch in Australia' as a leading practitioner in tax law.
Prior to being called to the bar, Jack was a
tax disputes solicitor and Managing Associate at Dentons, representing clients
in the tax dispute and litigation process, managing interactions with revenue
authorities, including tax audits and reviews. Jack advised clients
extensively as to the revenue consequences of their transactions and corporate
structures, particularly in minimising tax risk and to enable early compliance.
Jack's proven experience deploying a strategic,
commercial, and evidence-based approach to managing reviews, audit and complex
litigation has enabled him to achieve commercial and principled outcomes in the
best interests of his clients.
In addition to his work as a Barrister, Jack is
an Academic Practitioner at La Trobe University Law School where he leads the
tax and administrative law offerings. Jack has also been appointed a Teaching
Scholar at Deakin University Law School teaching tax law and a Senior Fellow at
the University of Melbourne, lecturing within the Tax Law Masters program.
Jack is a doctoral candidate at Deakin
University Law School completing research in the discipline of the law of
taxation.
Prior to Dentons, Jack had an extensive
experience in private practice as a tax disputes specialist in senior positions
at Holding Redlich, KPMG Law and Ernst & Young.
Jack has been admitted to the Masters of Laws
of Taxation at the University of Melbourne. He graduated with a Bachelor of
Laws with Honours (Tax Law) and a Bachelor of Arts from La Trobe University.
Jack is an admitted Australian Lawyer and
Officer of the Supreme Court of Victoria and also registered on the registry of
the High Court of Australia.
Jack is also a Fellow of The Tax Institute, a member of the Law Council of Australia's Taxation Committee and a member of the Law Institute of Victoria's Tax and Revenue and, separately the State Taxes Committee.
From August 2017-August 2018, Jack served as
Senior Associate to their Honours Justice Priest, Beach and McLeish of the
Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of Victoria and to her Honour Justice
Taylor of the Supreme Court Criminal Trial Division.
Jack Aquilina is reading with Angela Lee and
his senior mentor is Hon. G. Tony Pagone KC AC.
- Rosie Cham
Rosie practices mainly in public and commercial law, with specialist experience in class actions and administrative law.
Rosie was a graduate at Australian Government Solicitor and worked in AGS’s dispute resolution team before completing an associateship with the Hon Justice Mortimer, now Chief Justice of the Federal Court.
Prior to coming to the Bar, Rosie was a senior associate at Phi Finney McDonald where they worked on complex class action proceedings on behalf of consumers, shareholders and public housing tenants.
Rosie holds a Bachelor of Arts and Juris Doctor from the University of Melbourne. Rosie is reading with Eugenia Levine and their senior mentor is Sturt Glacken KC.
- Anderson Adrian
Adrian is an advocate practising in sports law, disciplinary tribunals and appeals, defamation, suppression orders, contempt, common law/personal injuries, criminal and general commercial law. He brings to the Bar experience as a senior executive in major professional sport.
A former partner of Corrs Chambers Westgarth, Adrian was General Manager of Football Operations of the AFL from 2004-2012 establishing the AFL’s integrity unit, tribunal system and heading negotiations such as the Collective Bargaining Agreement. At Corrs, he was the principal media law advisor to the Herald Sun and 3AW. He also acted for the AFL Players’ Association, the Australian Cricketers’ Association, Greyhound Racing Victoria, and professional athletes in disciplinary matters, anti-doping cases and contractual disputes.
Immediately prior to joining the Bar, Adrian:
- conducted an integrity review for Cricket Australia concerning the threats of match fixing and doping
- was appointed interim CEO of Cycling Australia by the Australian Sports Commission to implement governance and financial reform
- conducted a player welfare review on behalf of the NRL.
He has recently appeared in:
- The Game Meats Company of Australia Pty Ltd v Farm Transparency International Ltd [2025] FCAFC 104 (led by Paul Hayes KC).
-
Racing Victoria v Brash, German and Poy, decisions of VRT of 20 December 2024, 18 March 2025 and 31 March 2025.
- AFL Victoria v Taylor Duryea (Western Bulldogs) 3 September 2025
- Gerry Murphy (represented by Shane Drumgold KC) v Boxing Victoria (with Boxing Australia), Decision of National Sports Tribunal, NST-25-189059, 29 August 2025
- AFL v Alex Davies (Gold Coast Suns), AFL Tribunal, 19 August 2025
-
Goodrich v Kilmore Racing Club and Racing Victoria [2023] VSCA 37
- Defamation, ACL and injurious falsehood proceedings including recent defamation and injurious falsehood trials in the County Court in Spencer v McKay [2023] VCC 2238 and led by David Gilbertson KC in Holten v Fehsenfeld (jury).
- Disciplinary tribunals and appeals in the Supreme Court , Court of Appeal, VCAT, the Victorian Racing Tribunal, the Racing Appeals Tribunal NSW, and the AFL, AFLW, VFL, NBL, Swimming Victoria and Football Victoria tribunals, and the National Sports Tribunal
- The Coronial Inquest into the death of Maria James (led by Chris Winneke KC)
- A rape trial in the County Court in the matter of R v Leahy
- County Court negligence matters and serious injury applications
- General commercial and criminal law matters
He is a Vice President of the Melbourne Cricket Club, a Cricket Australia Conduct Commissioner, and Member of the Rules Committee of Harness Racing Australia.
Recent matters in which Adrian has appeared include:
Sports and other disciplinary matters and inquiries:
-
Preston Lions v Football Victoria, decision of FV Appeals Board of 19 November 2025 and Football Victoria v Preston Lions, FV Tribunal of 30 October 2025
- AFL NSW v Nicholas Pavlou (North Shore Bombers) 16 September 2025
- AFL Victoria v Taylor Duryea (Western Bulldogs) 3 September 2025
- Gerry Murphy (represented by Shane Drumgold KC) v Boxing Victoria (with Boxing Australia), Decision of NST-25-189059 of 29 August 2025
- AFL v Alex Davies (Gold Coast Suns), AFL Tribunal, 19 August 2025
-
Keating v Stawell Harness Racing Club, injunction application before Magistrate Greenway of 26 June 2025
-
Racing Victoria v Brash, German and Poy, decisions of VRT of 20 December 2024, 18 March 2025 and 31 March 2025
- Manningham United Football Club v Football Victoria, Mag T. W. Greenway, 17 April 2024 (action brought for failure to promote the club under s 67 Association Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic))
-
The Appellants v Gymnastics Australia, National Sports Tribunal, Appeals Division, NST-E24-4194 (selection issue)
- FA v Tolgay Arslan, Disciplinary & Ethics Committee of Football Australia, 14 Feb 2024
- AFL v Wil Powell (conduct unbecoming charge, May 2024)
- 2024 AFL Tribunal matters for Jimmy Webster, Kysaiah Pickett, Max King, Charlie Cameron, Jack Higgins
- Counsel assisting NBL in Aron Baynes NBL Tribunal hearing 12 October 2023
-
Chisolm United FC (challenge to dual registration penalty), FV Tribunal and Appeals Board, August 2023
-
Anthony Caminiti (StKilda FC), AFL Tribunal, 1 August 2023
- Counsel for Jason Burt in AFL inquiry into allegations at Hawthorn Football Club
-
Jacob Van Rooyen (Melbourne FC), AFL Tribunal 9 May 2023, Appeals Board with Will Houghton KC 11 May 2023
-
Goodrich v Kilmore Racing Club and Racing Victoria [2023] VSCA 37
-
Goodrich v Kilmore Racing Club and Racing Victoria [2022] VSC 803
-
Member of EDFL Player Payments Committee re Rupertswood and Keilor Park Football Clubs, 11 April 2023
-
Charlie Ballard (Gold Coast Suns), AFL Tribunal, 28 March 2023
- Swimming Victoria v Melbourne Swimming Club, Swimming Victoria Tribunal, 2 November 2022
-
Amy McDonald (Geelong), AFLW Tribunal, 11 October 2022
-
Jarrod Berry (Brisbane Lions), AFL Tribunal, 13 September 2022
-
Cam Rayner (Brisbane Lions), AFL Tribunal, 23 August 2022
-
Eric Hipwood (Brisbane Lions), AFL Tribunal, 5 July 2022
-
Boyd Woodcock (Southport FC) VFL Tribunal 20 April 2022
-
Tait Mackrill (GWS Giants) AFLW Tribunal 18 January 2022
- Sports Integrity Australia and Gymnastics Australia v Liddick, National Sports Tribunal (led by Paul Hayes QC)
- Coronial Inquest into the death of Maria James (for Mark and Adam James, led by Chris Winneke QC)
-
Harness Racing Victoria v Bellman, Racing Appeals Tribunal, 9 October 2021
- Football Victoria v Nunawading Football Club, Theo, Khalfallah and ors, FV Tribunal, 14 July 2021
- Counsel for Athletics Australia in selection disputes for Tokyo Olympics 2021
-
Toby Greene, AFL Tribunal 10 August 2021 and AFL Appeals Board 12 August 2021
-
Jack Viney, AFL Tribunal, 3 August 2021
-
Bailey Fritsch, AFL Tribunal, 4 May 2021
-
Douglas and Tormey v HRV [2021] VSCA 128
-
Goodrich v Kilmore Racing Club and Racing Victoria [2021] VSC 20 (strike out application re claims of breach of contract, denial of natural justice, restraint of trade)
- AFL/VFL Tribunal appearances for Essendon and GWS players 2015 - 2021
-
Douglas and Tormey v HRV [2020] VSC 568 (re jurisdiction of VCAT)
-
Racing Victoria v Richard Laming (application to test RV sample, Judge Bowman, VRT, 21 April 2020)
-
Dr Brennan v Veterinary Practitioners Board (stay application, Senior Member Wentworth, 28 February 2020)
-
Des Dooley v Greyhound Racing Victoria [2020] VCAT 189 (life ban reduced due to special circumstances)
-
Jeff Tabone v HRV [2019] VCAT 1701 (TCO2 presentation charge - alleged material flaw in testing procedure)
-
Scott Dyer v HRV, VCAT, 8 October 2019 (appeal on penalty - involvement in race fixing)
-
HRV v Tormey and Douglas, RADB (Chair Judge Hicks), 24-25 September 2019, (tubing charge)
-
Diane Dooley v GRV [2019] VCAT 1514 with Brendan Murphy QC ('special circumstances' under GRV Rules)
-
Toby Greene v AFL, AFL Appeals Board (Chair Murray Kellam QC), 19 September 2019 , with Ross Gillies QC
- AFLQ v Jason Burge, Tribunal 4 September 2019, and Appeal 10 September 2019
- WRFL v Deer Park FC, VFL Disciplinary Committee, 27 August 2019 (salary cap charges)
-
Racing Victoria v Monica Croston, RADB (Chair Judge Bowman), 17 July 2019 (cobalt administration charge)
-
RNSW v David Brideoake, Stewards' inquiry before Mr Van Gestel, decision published 18 June 2019
-
HRV v Scott Dyer, RADB, 22 May 2019 (merits, corrupt conduct, and interference with test charges)
-
GRV v Des and Diane Dooley, RADB, 29 January 2019
-
HRV v Jack, Pitt and Bartley [2018] VCAT 1981 with Chris Winneke QC, and RADB 16 November 2018 (stay application and appeal)
-
Tardio v HRV, Cavanough J, [2018] VSC 722, and previous application to vacate stay 20/11/18
-
Cameron Fitzpatrick v HRNSW, Racing Appeals Tribunal NSW, 19 June 2018 with C Winneke QC (severity appeal)
-
HRV v Eastman, RADB, 28 May 2018 (race fixing charges)
-
Adrian Kenyon v GRV, RADB, 23 April 2018 (EPO administration charge)
-
Russell Clarke v Racing Victoria [2018] VCAT 747 (trainer licence application)
- Chairman of the GRNSW Inquiry into the unauthorized export of greyhounds - Penalty decision for Michael Eberand (25/3/19), Decisions re Eberands, Cortis, Lagogiane (9/1/19), Michael Abbott (20/9/18), Farrugias (23/10/17), Paul Wheeler (20/4/18), Yiwen Xi and Wei Shan (24/4/18), and Cauchis (31/5/18)
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Joshua Henshaw v Basketball Victoria Incorporated, Magistrate McCallum, Case No. H13331912, 8 February 2018,(injunction under Associations Incorporation Reform Act 2012 (Vic))
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Ben Thompson v Racing Victoria, RADB (Chair Judge Bowman), 20 December 2017 (reckless riding charge)
- QAFL Tribunal for Palm Beach Captain Jesse Derrick prior to QAFL grand final 2017
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Victorian Building Authority v Jim Tsaganas [2017] VSCA 248 (with Chris Winneke QC)
- Cyan Racing v Rogers Engineering & Development Pty Ltd, SCV injunction application, J Forrest J, 10 January 2017
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Victorian Building Authority v Jim Tsaganas [2016] VCAT 1732 (plea before Dyer J)
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HRV v Kilduff [2017] VCAT 2068, Snr Member Butcher (testosterone administration charge)
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HRV v Vozlic [2017] VCAT 485, Vice President, Hampel J, (breach of conditions of disqualification)
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HRV v Aiken (Snr Member Butcher, 26/4/17)
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Racing Victoria v O’Brien, Mark Kavanagh and Dr Brennan (Decisions of RADB of 23/12/15 and 20/1/16)
- Racing NSW v Sam Kavanagh, Dr Brennan and Dr Mathews (Racing Appeals Tribunal NSW decisions 6/5/16 and 17/6/16)
- Greyhound Racing Victoria v Jason Thompson (RADB 3/4/17 and GRV appeal to VCAT 6/9/17)
- Greyhound Racing Victoria v Braden Finn RADB decision 23/6/16 (cocaine presentation charge)
- Victorian Football Federation Tribunal on behalf of North Sunshine Eagles SC and Diellon Memishi (2015)
- Appeal against grand final disqualification on behalf of Melbourne East Basketball Association to Basketball Australia Appeals Tribunal (20/9/16)
- Appeal on behalf of James Lawton and Adam Cullen to AFL Riverina Appeal Tribunal 5/9/15.
Defamation/ACL/injurious falsehood/suppression orders/commercial
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The Game Meats Company of Australia Pty Ltd v Farm Transparency International Limited (Costs) [2025] FCAFC 134, The Game Meats Company of Australia Pty Ltd v Farm Transparency International Ltd [2025] FCAFC 104, and The Game Meats Company of Australia v Farm Transparency International Ltd [2024] FCA 1455 (led by Paul Hayes KC)
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Philippe Wolgen v Report Card Pty Ltd, application to identify a defendant, orders of Button J, Federal Court, 25 July 2025
- Nikolic v Nationwide News {2025} VSCA 79 and [2024] VSC 380 (Gray J)
- Montesanstos v Director of Housing, summary judgment application, Ierodiaconou AsJ, 20 May 2025
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Kyle-Sailor v Heinke & ors [2024] FCA 43, application for non-publication order
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Spencer v McKay [2023] VCC 2238
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Clifftop v Google and Trip Advisor (preliminary discovery application) ,McEvoy J, Federal Court, 18/8/23
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Agustin-Bunch v Smith (No 3) [2023] VSC 227, with D Gilbertson KC, hearing of preliminary questions
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Hossain v Ali and Ors (Ruling No 2) [2023] VCC 514 re requirements of ss 12A and 12B of Defamation Act
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Lennon v The Herald and Weekly Times Pty Ltd (No 2) [2022] VSC 792 re Burstein mitigation plea
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Hossain v Ali and Ors (Ruling) [2022] VCC 2195 re serious harm and s 10A(5) of Defamation Act
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Miglani v Kanwaljit (Ruling) [2022] VCC 995, stay application granted pending criminal proceedings
- Holten v Fehsenfeld (defamation and injurious falsehood trial - jury verdict in favour of Dr Holten 7 June 2022)
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Agustin-Bunch v Smith [2022] (No 2) VSC 290 (defamation pleadings dispute)
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Stanowitsch International Pty Ltd v Steven Drake [2021] VCC 436 (ACL claim)
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Andrew Womersley v Victorian Highland Pipe Band Association and McLeod (County Court defamation claim)
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Farrah and DRF LLC v Smith and Doc Adam Pty Ltd [2021] VSC 158 (interlocutory injunction resisted)
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Holten v Fehsenfeld (Ruling) [2021] VCC 404 (pleading dispute in defamation and injurious falsehood claim)
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Patrick Lennon v The Herald and Weekly Times Ltd (ruling) [2021] VSC 147
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Abela v Tracey Grimshaw, Nine Network, and Neil Mitchell [2020] VCC 1237 (summary judgment for defendants)
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Janet Young v Steve Healy [2018] VSC 546 (extension of time and default judgment applications)
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Asmar v Fontana and Laurence [2018] VSC 382 (strike out application)
- Appeared for Nationwide News Pty Ltd and the Age Company Pty Ltd before Bromberg J on 1/2/19 to oppose suppression application on behalf of the AWU in AWU v Registered Organisations Commissioner and Ors
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Ptasznik v Australian Medical Association [2018] VSC 275
- Appeared for ABC opposing application for blanket suppression order in DPP v Pell, Chief Judge Kidd, 24/5/18
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Stuart Johnston v Nicola Holland [2017] VSC 597, John Dixon J, (with David Collins QC)
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Stuart Johnston v Nicola Holland [2017] VSC 448, Derham AsJ
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Hanks v Johnston [2015] VSC 570 and [2016] VSC 149
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Johnston v Holland [2016] VSC 340
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Nadinic v Nine Network Australia Pty Ltd (Supreme Court injunction application before Ginnane J, 13/5/15)
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Hanks v Johnston [2016] VSC 629
- advising and drawing pleadings in multiple other defamation and related proceedings issued in SCV, Federal Court, County Court and Magistrates Court.
Crime
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Victoria Police v Milad El-Halabi and ors, plea before Bayles J, 27 June 2024 (with Robert Richter KC), committal hearing before Magistrate Ballek, 6-7 March 2023.
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DPP v Clinton Leahy (rape trial in County Court of Victoria concluding 21 May 2019)
- committal hearings, pleas, interlocutory matters.
Common law/personal injury
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Beau Hart v Beaumaris Junior Football Club, South Metro Junior Football League, and Bayside City Council (with Jeff Moore QC)
- Multiple serious injury applications and personal injury proceedings.
Publications
From 15 May 2015, liability limited by a scheme approved under Professional Standards legislation.