Matt has a broad practice and accepts briefs across many areas of the law.
He is particularly interested in work related to environmental protection, native title, liquor and gambling licensing, immigration, employment law and matters in the children’s court and VCAT.
Matt was previously a commercial lawyer at Deacons (now Norton Rose Fulbright) and B2B Lawyers. He has also worked at World Vision Australia in government relations and climate change advocacy and in liquor and gambling policy development at the Victorian Department of Justice. In the latter role, he developed a deep understanding of the legislation and policy related to the regulation of the liquor industry and, in particular, the liquor licensing regime and the interaction of that regime with planning schemes. He was also a senior member of the team at the Victorian Law Reform Commission that reported to the Attorney-General on the use of regulatory regimes to prevent the infiltration of lawful occupations and industries by organised crime.
This work history has contributed to Matt’s comfort in working effectively with people from a variety of backgrounds. He has worked with business owners and operators, representatives of major, multi-national corporations, people from a range of professions, tattoo artists, sex workers and others. He approaches each client, witness or other stakeholder as an individual, with a desire to understand their particular needs and motivations and to communicate in an effective and respectful manner.
Matt’s mentor at the Bar is Catherine Symons of Castan Chambers. His senior mentor is Jenny Firkin QC.
Outside of the law, Matt is a keen cyclist, enjoys literature (he harbours the faintest hope of one day understanding Ulysses), is learning flamenco guitar, and hopes each season that this could be the year Liverpool wins the premier league title.