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  • Abbey Burns - Abbey has been practising for many years in workplace relations, employment and discrimination matters, and has been with Russell Kennedy for 10 years. Abbey’s practice includes advising clients in a broad range of industries on workplace relations, employment law and discrimination matters.
  • Aisling Denham - Aisling joined Russell Kennedy from the Victorian Government Solicitor’s Office (VGSO). Aisling gained extensive experience acting for government clients across a range a matters including the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse (Royal Commission) and public law litigation involving, State and Commonwealth supervision order and detention order applications, prosecutions, coronial inquests and advisory work
  • Alexandra Lioudvigova - Alexandra is a lawyer specialising in administrative, statutory interpretation, regulatory, and criminal law.
  • Amanda Doring - Amanda acts for married, de facto and same sex couples, as well as representing children in litigated parenting matters in her role as an Independent Children’s Lawyer.
  • Amity Jarvis - Amity is a Senior Associate in the Corporate & Commercial team with broad commercial experience in a range of corporate transactions and advisory engagements. As well as practising in general corporate and commercial matters, Amity acts for both buyers and sellers in merger and acquisition transactions including business and share sale and purchase.
  • Amy Jenkins - Amy Jenkins, Principal, is the lead of our Family Law team. Amy has been working in the field of family law for more than 15 years and in that time has developed a keen awareness of the challenges separated parties often face.
  • Andrea Stefanesco - Andrea is a Principal in Russell Kennedy’s Victorian WorkCover Authority team. Andrea has extensive experience and expertise in personal injury workers compensation litigation and dispute resolution.
  • Andrew Parlour - Andrew is a Principal in the firm’s Corporate & Commercial team and acts for a variety of clients including multinationals and small to medium sized enterprises across a variety of industries.
  • Andrew Sherman - Andrew is the Chairperson of the Russell Kennedy Board. Andrew is a Law Institute Environment, Planning and Local Government Law Accredited Specialist. Andrew has particular skills in Water Law. His skills include major property and infrastructure projects with emphasis on negotiation skills and delivery of project outcomes.
  • Anita Courtney - Anita is a leading lawyer in aged care who focuses on delivering quality and practical advice to her clients. She assists aged care providers in both home care and residential care to comply with their responsibilities under the Aged Care Act 1997 and its Principles including the Aged Care Quality Standards as well as other relevant laws. Anita regularly assists aged care providers in responding to the Department of Health and Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and has represented aged care providers in challenging decisions of the regulators in the AAT and Federal Court. Anita has been assisting aged care providers in relation to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety and has recently been assisting providers in transitioning to the new Aged Care Quality Standards and home care pricing changes.
  • Anna Shilova - Anna undertakes broad property work, with a particular interest in commercial property matters, and specifically in community living, multi-dwelling accommodation and serviced facilities.
  • Anna-Lisa Ryan - Anna-Lisa has extensive experience in the Wills and Estates sectors from advising clients in relation to their estate planning wishes, to preparing documents that ensure a seamless transfer of assets and control of entities, to managing deceased estates.
  • Anthony Massaro - Anthony has been practising for 20 years in workplace relations, discrimination and safety matters, and has been with Russell Kennedy for 21 years. He has been recognised since 2014 by Best Lawyers for expertise in Occupational Health and Safety Law. He has contributed to articles in The Age, the Sydney Morning Herald, the Courier Mail and SmartCompany, and has spoken at various industry conferences.
  • Arti Chetty - Arti is a Special Counsel in Russell Kennedy’s Pro Bono Practice and has worked in the area of refugee and migration law for over 10 years. Arti has extensive experience working in refugee and migration law matters at all stages of the visa and visa cancellations process.
  • Ashleigh Warren - Ashleigh has been admitted in New Zealand since 2014 and in Victoria since 2019. Prior to joining Russell Kennedy, she spent three years in the Workplace & Safety team of a national Australian firm, where she gained a breadth of experience across all facets of workplace law including both employer and employee work, including undertaking a 4 month secondment to the Department of Health in the in-house employment team.
  • Audrey Capasso - Audrey is a Senior Associate in the Insurance & Compensation team. She commenced at Russell Kennedy as a Law Graduate in 2019, and has practiced in the I&C team since her admission in 2020.
  • Ben Keyworth - Ben is an experienced lawyer in Russell Kennedy’s Family Law team. Having worked as a Judge’s Associate and Deputy Associate in the Federal Circuit Court in the Family Law and General Division, Ben is familiar with the Court system, how it operates and its expectations. As a result, Ben is able to provide advice and represent clients confidently and strategically as they navigate their way through their Family Law property and/or parenting matter.
  • Ben Lloyd - Ben is a highly regarded senior member of our Government team with a wide range of experience in personal injury and coronial inquest matters. This includes representing members of Victoria Police in high profile matters including those arising out of deaths in custody, police shootings, appropriateness of aftercare and traffic management in bushfire situations.
  • Ben Tallboys - Ben provides workplace relations, employment and governance advice to schools, councils, health and aged care organisations, and other corporate and not-for-profit organisations across Australia. Ben works tirelessly to help his clients achieve their desired outcomes, and manage financial, legal and reputational risk when dealing with legal issues and crises. Ben seeks to avoid disputes where possible, but is also a forceful and fearless advocate when required.
  • Bronte Douglas-Scarfe - Bronte works broadly across the commercial sector and advises both private clients and those in the health, government and not-for-profit sectors. She advises on a range of corporate transactions and commercial agreements, the creation of companies, trusts and not-for-profit entities as well as corporate governance and compliance.
  • Cameron Cox - Cameron is a Principal in the WorkCover team. He commenced at Russell Kennedy in 2009 in the field of banking and finance and joined the WorkCover team in 2014. Cameron advises and represents employers, insurers and the Victorian WorkCover Authority in relation to recoveries proceedings, serious injury applications, common law damages and statutory benefit disputes.
  • Caroline Snaidr - Caroline provides legal advice in the area of Leasing and Property and Development.
  • Chantal Reigo - Chantal has over 18 years’ experience representing clients both locally and internationally in commercial litigation, contractual dispute resolution and insolvency matters.
  • Chantelle Hammond - Chantelle utilizes her strong interpersonal skills and thorough attention to detail in resolving complex problems. She stives to find pragmatic solutions for our clients across a range of dispute matters.
  • Christina Kolovos - Christina is an experienced litigator. She acts on behalf of the Victorian WorkCover Authority in analysing and defending serious injury applications, common law claims, and disputes regarding statutory scheme entitlements.
  • Christine Perkins - Christine is a member of our Government, Planning and Environment team practising in land acquisition and compensation law, acting for State and local government clients, statutory authorities and private clients.
  • Christopher Littlewood - Christopher is an associate in Russell Kennedy’s Victorian WorkCover Authority team. He commenced at Russell Kennedy as a law graduate in 2020. He acts on behalf of the Victorian WorkCover Authority, their Agents and the insured in relation to serious injury applications, common law damages and statutory benefits disputes.
  • Claire Alexander - Claire acts on behalf of various government clients and statutory authorities. Claire specialises in professional conduct, regulatory compliance and administrative review proceedings.
  • Clare Hesbrook - Clare has over 13 years’ experience in Wills and Estates in both the UK and NSW and is a qualified solicitor in both jurisdictions. Clare is passionate about helping clients put their estate planning affairs in order and has a particular interest in international estates and complex wealth structures.
  • Daniel Silfo - Daniel has over a decade of experience in providing legal services to Local Government. Daniel has acted for over 50 municipalities, both suburban and rural and specialises in all matters to do with Local Government prosecutions and enforcement. Daniel has extensive experience in conducting prosecutions throughout Victoria and has obtained great results for clients for breaches in relation to building, planning and environment, public health, food, parking, domestic animals and local laws. Daniel also provides advice and training to Local Government on these areas.
  • Daniella Li-Rosi - Daniella acts on behalf of the Victorian WorkCover Authority to analyse Serious Injury Applications, defend Common Law Claims and disputes regarding Statutory Scheme entitlements.
  • Darren Seidl - Darren Seidl is the practice group leader in the Russell Kennedy insurance and compensation practice. He commenced as an Articled Clerk at Russell Kennedy in 2008 and was promoted to Principal in 2016.
  • David Kazatsky - David practices in general commercial litigation, alternative dispute resolution, building and construction law and insolvency. He has worked in large complex litigation matters, including class actions and has experience in insolvency and bankruptcy proceedings.
  • David Ramsay - David is a highly regarded planning and environmental lawyer with extensive experience acting for government authorities, local councils and private clients. His key areas of practice include statutory and strategic planning, land acquisition and compensation, environmental licensing and compliance, local government law, contaminated land and water law.
  • Dee Divina - Dee is a lawyer in the Insurance and Compensation Team and primarily practices in WorkCover. She advises in common law and statutory benefits matters related to the Workplace Injury Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2013.
  • Donna Rayner - Donna delivers expert legal advice to owners, operators and developers of retirement villages in Victoria and New South Wales.
  • Elizabeth Flanagan - Elizabeth is located in our Government, Planning and Environment group working predominantly for Local Government in prosecutions and enforcement in the Magistrates’ Court, the Building Appeals Board and VCAT.
  • Ellen McSweeney - Ellen practices in the areas of local government, planning and environment. She has a strong background in town planning law and has acted on behalf of both private sector and government clients. Prior to the law, Ellen was a qualified town planner with experience working for State and local government and in the private sector.
  • Ellen O'Neil - Ellen is a Senior Associate in the Corporate and Commercial team with broad experience in corporate and commercial law, with a focus on corporate mergers and acquisitions, corporate advisory and governance, foreign investment, contract negotiation, equity capital markets and capital raising.
  • Emily Tang - Emily supports our clients in a range of employment, workplace relations, discrimination and workplace safety matters. Emily is focussed on achieving strategic outcomes that work for the client, which includes managing financial, legal and reputational risk.
  • Emma Dunlevie - Emma’s practice covers all aspects of leasing and licensing transactions. She acts for tenants, landlords, local government and state government authorities, as well as the not-for-profit sector.
  • Emma Fitzgibbon - Emma practises primarily in government litigation, with a focus on prosecutions, and coronial investigations and inquests. Emma has previously worked within the public service for the Department of Justice, Department of Veterans’ Affairs and the Department of Transport and brings this experience to her legal role.
  • Emma Jacobs - Emma practices broadly across the commercial sector, working primarily in the heath, government and not-for-profit areas. She assists in providing advice on a range of commercial agreements and corporate transactions. Emma also has experience in helping clients to develop strategies and solutions in corporate governance and compliance.
  • Emma Perconte - Emma practises primarily in government litigation and administrative law. Her experience includes acting on behalf of various government clients and statutory authorities, including the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (and the Boards), and the Department of Justice and Community Safety.
  • Erin Rooney - Erin is a litigation lawyer and acts on behalf of various government clients and statutory authorities. Erin advises these clients in the areas of administrative law, professional conduct, insurance litigation and personal injury.
  • Felicity Iredale - Felicity works broadly across the commercial sector and advises both private clients and those in the health, government and not-for-profit sectors. She advises on a range of corporate transactions and commercial agreements, the creation of companies, trusts and not-for-profit entities as well as corporate governance and compliance.
  • Felicity O'Brien - Felicity practices in the areas of administrative law, regulatory compliance and risk management, litigation, with a focus on aged care, disability and health.
  • Gavin Kotnik - Gavin was admitted to practice in 1997 commencing employment as a plaintiff lawyer with Slater and Gordon lawyers on 1 July 1997 then operating his own firm Workforce Legal from 1 July 2004 with an ex-partner of Slater & Gordon lawyers, Paul Mulvany, former judge of the Accident Compensation Tribunal. Gavin commenced defendant work on 1 September 2010 as a Senior Associate with Hall & Wilcox lawyers until 24 December 2014.
  • Gina Tresidder - Gina is a Principal in Russell Kennedy's Corporate and Commercial team, specialising in all aspects of Privacy, Data Protection, Information Technology and Intellectual Property.
  • Hanna Kurspahić - Hanna practices primarily in government litigation and administrative law. Her experience includes advising government clients and statutory authorities on a broad range of legal issues and acting on their behalf in disciplinary proceedings.
  • Harrison Gray - Harrison practices in the areas of workplace disputes and investigations, drafting employment contracts and policies, the interpretation of modern awards and enterprise agreements and in discrimination matters.
  • Ian Pridgeon - Ian is a Special Counsel in the Government, Planning and Environment practice. He is a Law Institute of Victoria Environment and Planning Law Accredited Specialist and a Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia. Ian's focus includes delivering quality advice to clients in the areas of town planning, local government, environment and statutory building control.
  • Ilana Kacev - Ilana is a Law Institute Wills & Estates Accredited Specialist. Ilana’s well rounded experience across all aspects of estate matters enables her to provide her clients with strategic and objective advice in relation to both estate planning and disputes.
  • Jack Davis - Jack is an experienced litigator, having acted for the interests of private and corporate litigants in most Australian jurisdictions. He has acted for plaintiffs and defendants in disputes involving commercial leasing and property, building and construction, contract, debt recovery, corporations law and insolvency, trusts, franchising, negligence and consumer law.
  • Jack Noone - Jack is a lawyer in the Property team and works broadly across a range of property transactions including the sale and acquisition of retirement villages and other commercial properties, commercial and retail leasing and the acquisition and disposal of land on behalf of local governments.
  • Jacqueline Vuong - Jacqueline is a versatile corporate and commercial lawyer and has experience in a range of commercial transactions including drafting agreements, negotiating contracts and incorporating companies.
  • Jake Veale - Jake is a skilled corporate and commercial lawyer who is committed to working with his clients to deliver pragmatic legal advice. Jake has experience in corporate advisory and merger and acquisition transactions, as well as serving clients in the direct selling industry.
  • Jamila Shirzad - Jamila works broadly across the commercial sector and advises both private clients and those in the health, government and not-for-profit sectors.
  • Janelle Oh - Janelle is an Associate in the firm’s Property and Development practice. Prior to joining Russell Kennedy, Janelle was a lawyer in a boutique practice representing landowners, boutique developers and non-bank lenders in a wide range of property transactions and property dispute matters at the Supreme and County Courts of Victoria.
  • Jaqueline Wilson - Jaqueline works broadly across the commercial sector advising a range of clients in public, private, not-for-profit and social purpose enterprises. She advises on a range of corporate transactions, commercial agreements and governance issues.
  • Jessica McKinley - Jessica is an experienced lawyer in Russell Kennedy's Family Law team with a focus in family law and wills and estate planning.
  • Johanna Heaven - Johanna practices in the areas of administrative law, litigation, regulatory compliance and risk management, with a focus on health, government and aged care. She assists aged care providers in both home care and residential care to comply with their responsibilities under the Aged Care Act 1997 and its Principles and assists aged care providers in responding to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Johanna also represents clients in coronial inquests and Royal Commissions.
  • John Corcoran AM - John has handled all aspects of commercial property work for more than 20 years for major developers, banks and government. In addition to his commercial practice, he specialises in the area of retirement villages and aged care. He has a national practice with many of his clients being Australia’s major providers of aged care and retirement villages.
  • Jonathan Teh - Jonathan assists clients with commercial contracts for business operations through to technology services. He has experience in relation to business structures, including the creation and restructure of companies, trusts and not-for-profit organisations.
  • Julian Peters - With his broad experience in property law, Julian Peters brings a wealth of knowledge to his role in the property team at Russell Kennedy. He has represented and advised clients on all aspects of retail and commercial leasing, from land subdivisions to the purchase, development and sale of commercial buildings in major shopping centres along with domestic lending and mortgages.
  • Julie Colsell - Julie is a highly regarded legal practitioner within the compulsory land acquisition and compensation jurisdiction. Julie practices principally in this area and has done so for the last 15 years. She brings with her a wealth of knowledge and experience having provided legal advice to a number of government authorities such as Department of Transport, Major Transport Infrastructure Authority, Department of Treasury and Finance, the Urban Renewal Authority Victoria (Places Victoria) and the Department of Environment, Land, Water and Planning.
  • Karmen Markis - Karmen practices in the areas of government, environment and planning. Karmen advises local government authorities, state government, water authorities and private clients on planning, water, compulsory acquisition and environment law matters. Prior to becoming a lawyer, Karmen was a qualified town planner.
  • Kat Tilnak - Kat has experience acting for both Plaintiff and Defendant litigants across state and federal jurisdictions. She practices broadly in commercial litigation and dispute resolution with a focus on building and construction disputes, debt recovery, contractual disputes, leasing disputes and insolvency litigation.
  • Kate Littlewood - Kate is a Special Counsel in the Corporate and Commercial team. Kate’s primary areas of focus are mergers and acquisitions, business structuring (including succession), renewable energy and commercial contracts. Kate also practices in relation to other corporate-commercial advisory matters including in relation to consumer law, intellectual property, and corporate governance.
  • Kathryn Bastounas - Kathryn has experience in a range of property transactions including complex acquisitions and disposals of land, legal due diligence, commercial and retail leasing and licencing agreements.
  • Kathryn Elleman - Kathryn is an LIV accredited specialist in Property Law, practising in property development, and commercial property transactions. Kathryn has more than 25 years experience acting for property developers in relation to broad acre and medium density developments, including providing specialist owners corporations advice.
  • Kelly Ralph - Kelly is an experienced employment and industrial relations practitioner with a strong understanding of commercial business drivers and objectives having worked in corporate environments before she was a lawyer.
  • Krystal Pellow - Krystal is a Senior Associate in the firm’s Property & Development practice with a particular focus on sales and acquisitions, property development, and leasing transactions. Krystal advises private, corporate and institutional clients in a broad range of commercial property matters, including commercial, retail and industrial leasing for major landlords, tenants and statutory authorities.
  • Kyle Gillan - Kyle is a projects and construction lawyer with extensive experience advising clients on the full life cycle of procurement and constructions projects from inception and design through to completion. Kyle’s experience includes advising on project design and project structuring, procurement strategies, drafting procurement documentation, contract negotiations and claims management.
  • Kylie Walsh - Kylie is a litigation lawyer with over 10 years’ experience. Kylie acts on behalf of various government clients and statutory authorities and specialises in prosecution, enforcement, disciplinary and administrative review proceedings.
  • Laura De Vuono - Laura practises primarily in government litigation. She acts on behalf of various government clients and statutory authorities, including the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (and the Boards) and the Department of Justice and Community Safety.
  • Libby Pallot - Libby is the head of Russell Kennedy’s Workplace Relations, Employment and Safety practice and a partner of the firm. She has worked at Russell Kennedy for almost 25 years. Libby is an experienced practitioner in the area of employment law and industrial relations.
  • Malvina Hagedorn - Malvina has over fifteen years of experience specialising in migration and refugee law. She acts for asylum seekers, refugees and migrants in a range of matters including visa applications and cancellations, judicial review, and citizenship. Malvina also has extensive experience in the design and delivery of community legal education on refugee, migration and human trafficking issues.
  • Mandi Xu - Mandi is a Special Counsel in Russell Kennedy’s Workplace Relations, Employment and Safety team based in Sydney. She has extensive experience advising multinational and Australian businesses and public sector employers on contentious and non-contentious matters covering all areas of employment law and workplace relations.
  • Marcus Heath - Marcus’ areas of practice include planning, environment, building, public health law, local laws/domestic animals and water law. He provides advice to local councils, government departments, water businesses and private clients and acts for clients in compliance and enforcement matters under a range of legislation.
  • Maria Gomes - Maria is an associate at Russell Kennedy with a passion for Family Law. Although Maria has been admitted as a lawyer in NSW for a relatively short period her skills and knowledge extend a far beyond her years because of her experience at the Federal Circuit and Family Court prior to her admission.
  • Marika Hubble-Marriott - Marika is the head of the Dispute Resolution team, with over 23 years of experience. Marika has significant experience in conducting complex litigation in the superior Courts and specialist Tribunals and is a skilled advocate in all forms of dispute resolution, and in particular, mediation.
  • Mark McKinley - Mark is the National Practice Group Leader of our Property and Development team. Mark has extensive experience in acting for and advising property developers, including preparing all pro forma sale contracts, development and marketing deeds, advising in relation to subdivisions and owners corporations, restrictive covenants and easements.
  • Matt Taylor - Matt is located in our Government, Planning and Environment group working predominantly for Local Government in prosecutions and enforcement in the Magistrates’ Court, the Building Appeals Board and VCAT.
  • Matthew Beazley - Matthew’s practice encompasses planning, environment, local government and property law. He has appeared as advocate in the Magistrates’ Court, County Court, Supreme Court, Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Building Appeals Board, Planning Panels Victoria and Liquor Licensing Victoria.
  • Matthew Goessler - Matt practices in the areas of administrative law, litigation, regulatory compliance and risk management, with a focus on health, government and aged care. He assists aged care providers to comply with their responsibilities under the Aged Care Act 1997 and in responding to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Matt also represents clients in coronial inquests and Royal Commissions.
  • Matthew Stockdale - Matt is a Principal in Russell Kennedy’s Victorian WorkCover Authority team. Matt has worked in insurance and injury litigation acting for a wide variety of employers for many years. Matt's extensive experience includes acting on behalf of the Victorian Workcover Authority in relation to statutory benefits and common law claims under the Accident Compensation Act.
  • Maurizio Capkovic - Maurizio began his career in Family Law, taking instructions and providing advice to de facto and married couples about their Binding Financial Agreements, whether they were entering into a new relationship, were getting married or were married or following their separation. Maurizo represented clients with respect to their Application for Divorce and was able to assist them with finalising their financial affairs by preparing new Wills, Power of Attorneys and Enduring Guardian, which is essential following the breakdown of a relationship if you want to protect your affairs.
  • Michael Bragg - Michael practices primarily in the areas of construction and infrastructure focusing on “front end” contractual work. Michael assists in the drafting construction contracts and related documents.
  • Michael Cassidy - Michael is an Associate in Russell Kennedy's Corporate and Commercial team, specialising in all aspects of intellectual property (IP) with a particular focus on trade marks. Michael works with clients to manage the full lifecycle of their IP from brand development, to forming protection strategies, to managing Australian and international portfolios, to strategic management and enforcement.
  • Michael Dowling - Michael practices in the areas of property, local government, property development and subdivisions.
  • Michael Gorton AM - Michael is an experienced commercial lawyer with a focus on the health sector. Michael's clients benefit from his practical and commercial approach. Through his association with peak industry bodies and his position on numerous boards, Michael keeps abreast of developments in his area of practice and is often asked to address public and private companies and government and non-government organisations.
  • Michael Tsiavlis - Michael is an experienced litigation and regulatory lawyer. Michael advises government departments, agencies and authorities on their enforcement and investigative functions as well as appearing in Court for them as a solicitor advocate.
  • Mitch Watkins - Mitch has experience in acting for both Plaintiff and Defendant litigants within the Victorian and Western Australian jurisdiction. He practices primarily in the area of insurance litigation (including large volume motor vehicle recoveries), advising on liability, quantum and risk. He also provides clients with advice regarding enforcement.
  • Morgan Smithe - Morgan has experience in a many aspects of employment law, including workplace disputes, workplace investigations and the interpretation of awards and agreements. Since joining the Employment Law team at Russell Kennedy, Morgan has had a particular focus on advising clients in the independent education sector.
  • Nicholas Vialle - Nich is a lawyer in Russell Kennedy’s Pro Bono Practice and brings their experience in refugee, migration, and human rights law. Nich utilises a client centred approach to assist clients to navigate Australia’s complex migration system.
  • Nick Finlayson - Nick is the Co-Leader of our Renewables team. Nick advises clients on all aspects of their real estate operations including acquisitions and divestment, development, design and construction, structuring and renewables projects.
  • Nick Shying - Nick is a Lawyer in the Dispute Resolution team where he acts for commercial and government clients in litigation and alternative dispute resolution.
  • Nicolle Ang - Nicolle is an Associate in Russell Kennedy’s Government, Planning and Environmental team and primarily practices in the area of land acquisition and compensation. Nicolle is primarily involved in the land acquisition process from acquiring interests, instructing counsel and experts, to reviewing and considering claims for compensation made by affected parties, under the Land Acquisition and Compensation Act 1986 and the Planning and Environment Act 1987.
  • Olga Nazha - Olga is a litigation senior associate with experience in enforcement, prosecution, disciplinary and administrative review proceedings. Olga has experience advising and representing various government clients such as the Department of Health, the Department of Justice and Community Safety, the Department of Energy, Environment and Climate Action, and the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.
  • Paul Gleeson - Paul is a Principal and the Managing Director of Russell Kennedy. He also has extensive experience in commercial law, including contracts, mergers and acquisitions and the establishment of commercial enterprises through structures such as partnerships, joint ventures, discretionary trusts and unit trusts.
  • Paul Kitch - Having been a lawyer for close to 50 years, Paul has specialised in Worker’s compensation since 1989. In that time, he has acquired extensive experience through holding senior management positions with WorkCover insurers, WorkCare Appeals Board, Medical Panels and conducted litigation in all jurisdictions with Panel Solicitors for 20 years.
  • Paul McCarthy - Paul leads our Finance Litigation team and acts for several of Australia's largest banks and other financial institutions in recovery matters and the enforcement of mortgage and other securities.
  • Paul Somers - Paul practices in commercial litigation and has significant experience representing clients in building and construction disputes, breach of contract disputes, and property and insolvency claims. Paul provides practical and strategic advice to local councils, water authorities, and corporate and private clients, about litigation and alternative dispute resolution in all jurisdictions.
  • Peter Andreakos - Peter practices in the areas of administrative law, regulatory compliance and risk management with a focus on aged care, disability and health.
  • Rachel Budd - Rachel is a litigation lawyer qualified to practise law in Victoria, New Zealand and Scotland. She has experience in all aspects of case preparation, including Court appearances. Rachel advises government departments, agencies and authorities on prosecutions, disciplinary proceedings and enforcement functions, and appears in Court on their behalf.
  • Rana Awada - Rana was admitted into practice in 2012 and has been practicing as a solicitor in the area of family law for 10 years. Rana has a passion for family law and prides herself on providing exceptional personal service by encouraging her clients to be actively involved in the resolution of their matters. Rana guides her client towards achieving amicable, practical, fair and cost effective solutions without the need to litigate wherever possible.
  • Rebecca Olle - Rebecca has broad commercial and contracts experience advising clients in the health, government and not-for-profit sectors. In particular, she has advised health professional bodies regarding their contracts and governance, and the development of health courses.
  • Robert Parrish - Rob acts for the Victorian WorkCover Authority as a litigator. His experience includes instructing counsel in Supreme Court, County Court and Magistrates' Court proceedings. He also has experience is insurance claims and providing advice on occupational health and safety matters
  • Rohan Harris - Rohan is Chair of the Russell Kennedy board and partnership. He is also a Principal of the firm’s Corporate and Commercial practice and acts for privately owned businesses as well as various Australian and multi-national corporations and not for profit organisations.
  • Rory Maguire - Rory is a Principal in the firm’s Corporate & Commercial practice with extensive experience in corporate advisory and mergers and acquisitions matters, including negotiated acquisitions/disposals of companies and businesses, takeovers and schemes of arrangement, corporate fundraising and restructures, and shareholder and joint venture arrangements.
  • Rose Raniolo - Rose has practiced extensively in WorkCover and Insurance for over 30 years, acting for defendants. She has practiced predominantly in the defence of civil claims, comprising common law damages claims, statutory recovery claims and WorkCover statutory benefits claims. Rose has also advised and represented corporate clients in relation to their statutory duties under the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 (OHS Act) and in product liability claims, particularly in asbestos-related injury claims.
  • Rosemary Southgate - Rosemary is a Principal in our Property and Development team and a Law Institute of Victoria Property Law Accredited Specialist. She is focused on delivering quality advice to her clients, practicing in the areas of commercial property, leasing, aged care and retirement villages. As part of her role she advises peak industry bodies such as the Property Council Australia in their dealings with Government.
  • Samantha Taylor - Samantha has experience in a variety of commercial property transactions including sales and acquisitions and commercial leasing. Samantha advises both landlord and tenant clients in all aspects of leasing transactions, across all Australian jurisdictions. In addition to her leasing work, Samantha advises clients in respect of commercial sales and acquisitions, including preparing and reviewing transaction documents.
  • Sarah Manly - Sarah acts on behalf of various government clients and statutory authorities including the Department of Justice and Community Safety, Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency and Victoria Police. She advises these clients in relation to prosecutions, professional conduct, coronial inquests and administrative law. Sarah was recognised by Best Lawyers 2020 for expertise in Government Practice. Sarah has specialist expertise in representing parties in Royal Commissions, including the Financial Services Royal Commission, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse and the Royal Commission into the Victorian bushfires.
  • Sharon Van Dyk - Sharon is experienced in providing legal advice to government and private clients and organisations. She has a general litigation background across a range of industries and jurisdictions. Sharon has a wealth of knowledge advising on sensitive matters including common law and coronial investigations. She is focussed on providing her clients with tailored solutions and timely advice.
  • Shi-Jing Wong - Shi-Jing is your go-to expert for all things related to workplace relations, offering practical advice on issues like Fair Work Commission matters, underpayment claims, employee disciplinary actions, and understanding employment contracts and policies.
  • Simone Green - Simone Green is a Principal in our Family Law team and is an Accredited Specialist in Family Law with the Law Society of NSW, with over 18 years experience as a Family Law Solicitor in all areas of Family Law practice.
  • Sofia Lozanova - Sofia is an experienced Senior Associate in our dispute resolution team with almost a decade of post qualification experience. She advises and represents clients in all types of commercial litigation across state and federal jurisdictions.
  • Solomon Miller - Solomon acts for a range of private and public sector clients documenting commercial arrangements, including acquisitions, restructures, joint ventures and the licensing of technology and intellectual property.
  • Stefan Fiedler - Stefan is a leading environmental lawyer who acts for local government, water corporations, waste and resource recovery groups and corporations across various sectors including waste management, resource recovery, infrastructure, manufacturing, organics, rendering, logistics and agriculture.
  • Stella Wild - Stella has more than 20 years' experience in leasing and licensing (commercial, retail and industrial) and has an excellent understanding of both landlord and tenant concerns in part due to her considerable in-house legal experience with both a national retailer and property developer prior to returning to private practice in 2008. Her expertise in commercial tenancy law is further solidified by her accreditation as a Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Specialist in Commercial Tenancy Law.
  • Stephanie Francis - After working as a graduate trainee across each of Russell Kennedy’s practice groups, Stephanie is a recently qualified common law and statutory benefits advisor in the WorkCover team.
  • Stephanie Sammut - Stephanie has been working in the legal industry since prior to her Admission as a lawyer. This experience has provided her with the ability to assist client’s throughout the duration of their matter and in navigating the Court system. Stephanie is mindful of the time and costs that may be associated with family law matters and she endeavours to resolve matters for clients in the most effective way possible for each of their cases.
  • Suzanne Manson - Suzanne mainly practices in compulsory land acquisition and compensation law and has extensive experience acting for Government departments, statutory authorities and private clients.
  • Suzanne Rieschieck - Suzanne is a general commercial litigator, focusing on the Property, Building and Construction, Retirement Living and Education industries. She has experience in a vast range of disputes relevant to these industries, including with respect to leasing, adverse possession, breach of contract, defective building work, expert determinations and retirement living resident complaints, fee disputes, Australian Consumer Law matters and some defamation. Suzanne also has experience in Corporations Act matters involving Oppression, breach of director’s duties and insolvency. Suzanne provides strategic advice with a focus on practical outcomes.
  • Tamika Chikulin - Tamika is a lawyer in Russell Kennedy’s Government, Planning and Environment team and primarily practices in the areas of planning, environment and Local Government advisory.
  • Tanya Bloom - Tanya Bloom is a Principal in our Worker’s Compensation team, she has more than 15 years’ experience in personal injury, litigation, insurance law, employer liability and risk management.
  • Taryn Ellerington - Taryn is an experienced private client lawyer with a demonstrated history of working in the law practice profession across estate planning, property and commercial law. Skilled in estate planning, probate and administration, succession law and dispute resolution.
  • Victor Harcourt - Victor leads the Aged Care team and is a recognised senior practitioner in administrative and disciplinary law, health and aged care, prosecutions, government law and alternative dispute resolution. Victor has a Masters in Health and Medical Law and was recognised by Best Lawyers as 2023 "Lawyer of the Year" for Retirement Villages and Senior Living Law in Melbourne, he was also also named Best Lawyers’ 2014 Melbourne “Lawyer of the Year” for Health and Aged Care Law.
  • Walter MacCallum - Walter has 21 years of extensive experience in commercial litigation in all court jurisdictions, acting for, and advising, individual clients, family enterprises, start-ups and commercial operations that range from small-to-medium enterprises to large corporations, including not-for-profits.