Clerks
Barristers engage a Barristers’ Clerk, who in turn advise solicitors as to the suitability, availability and fees of counsel.
This webpage only contains the contact details of those barristers who are members of the Victorian Bar Association with current Victorian or Interstate practising certificates, and who have agreed to their details being made available. For more information read our disclaimer here.
If you need assistance finding the right barrister, we suggest you contact one of the barrister's clerks who will discuss your needs with you and recommend an appropriate barrister.
A clerk will also be able to advise you on the availability of the barristers on their list.
Type of practice: I presently practice in the following areas:
Profile
Penny has an extensive practice which spans over 24 years at both trial and appellate level. Her areas of practice are as follows.
Crime
Michael was admitted to the Bar in 1994. He practices principally in the areas of Criminal Law, Family Law, Crimes Family Violence, Crimes Compensation and Civil Litigation.
Shane has been at the Victorian Bar coalface for the last two and a half decades, practising in all forms of criminal law cases, intervention orders, coroners inquests, confiscation proceedings, IBAC proceedings, compulsory examinations and occupational health and safety matters.
Profile
Profile
Commenced practice in
1984. Worked for 2 years with Western Suburbs Community Legal Service. In that
capacity appeared in courts in all jurisdictions including Family Court,
Tom came to the Bar in 1988 (resigned 2000) and has practiced exclusively in the Family Law jurisdiction since that time, incorporating both matrimonial and de facto matters.
Tom is able to conduct mediations. He is an accredited mediator and accepts AIFLAM fixed fee mediations.
Jane is passionate about the rights of children and has worked in Child Protection and Family Law almost exclusively since her admission including running many complex and lengthy prosecutions both in Melbourne and on circuit.
Bradley Newton practises predominantly in criminal law and occupational health and safety law.In 1994 Brad was awarded honours degrees in economics (majoring in pure economic theory) and law from Monash University.
Shaun practices mainly in criminal, inquisitorial and administrative jurisdictions. Details about his work appear below.
Criminal Work
Solicitor advocate 1984 - 2002, Lamb Cassidy Solicitors, Geelong.
Victorian Bar commencing 2002. Practice includes court and tribunal proceedings relating to:
David Goddard has been practising in the areas of family law, criminal law and intervention orders since coming to the Bar in 2004.
Profile
Phil commenced practice at the Victorian Bar following several years work in Criminal Law. He has also worked in Major Torts personal injuries litigation, where his medical training and background proved invaluable.
John Livitsanos signed the Bar Roll in 2004. John's main practice is in both Family and Relationships Law and Criminal Law, including Family Violence and Intervention Order matters.
Family Law and Intervention Orders
David practises largely in Family Law, Defacto matters, Intervention Orders and Crime. He has over ten years at the Bar and is available for legally aided as well as privately funded matters. He also appears for Independant Children's Lawyers.
Lucy Hartnett practices in CRIMINAL and Child Protection law.
Richard accepts briefs in all areas of Criminal Law.
Richard did his first criminal defence trial in 1998 when he worked as a Public Defender at Victoria Legal Aid. He regularly appeared in committals, pleas, trials and appeals in his 10 years at VLA.
Ewan accepts briefs to appear and provide written advice in family law matters.
Ewan specialises in family law matters and regularly appears in court for pre-trial hearings, final hearings, and appeals.
Employed in various community centres, Victoria Aboriginal Legal Aid and as a Criminal Lawyer.Operating a practice in Richmond for approximately 20 years. Divides time between working in Northern NSW/Southern Queensland and Victoria, primarily in Criminal Trial work.
Matt joined the Victorian Bar in 2008.
He has over 22 years experience in the Victorian Legal System.
Matt practices in Criminal Law, Traffic Law and Intervention Orders.
Matt is an experienced advocate and appears daily in Metropolitan and Country Victorian Courts.
Patricia specialises in Criminal and Family Law.
She appears regularly in the Magistrates and County Courts in pleas, bail applications, appeals, contested hearings and committals. She also has extensive experience in the Childrens’ Court Criminal jurisdiction.
Ragu re-signed the Bar Roll in 2015, after more than 8 years as a Special Counsel in the employ of Russell Kennedy.
Prior to that, Ragu practised as a barrister between 1992 and 2006.
Barristers engage a Barristers’ Clerk, who in turn advise solicitors as to the suitability, availability and fees of counsel.
There are a number of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) options available for resolving disputes without recourse to litigation