Mediation - by Accredited Family Law Specialist and Nationally Accredited Mediator
EXPERIENCE
With over 40 years of experience as both a Barrister and Solicitor in Victoria and Queensland I am presently practising as a Barrister at the Victorian Bar. Having been involved in litigation all of my legal life, I understand the importance of Alternative Dispute Resolution, and the process.
Currently our legal system, particularly in Family Law and Part IV - Testators Family Maintenance matters has lengthy delays, and high costs which can spiral quickly out of control.
I believe that given common sense and a willingness to explore compromise, any dispute can be resolved, particularly if the parties mediate EARLY, before they get entrenched in the legal quagmire of our adversary system, incur huge costs, and once in, struggle to settle!
I can help you with a solution through mediation.
NOT JUST a Lawyer?
Apart from the Law, I have practical, "hands on" building and commercial construction experience. I have owned and run building companies, project managed commercial and residential developments, and understand the building process having been involved in the construction industry for much of my working life.
I am also a sailor - and have sailed all of my life.
I have also participated in Sailing Club and Sailing administration representative of Yachting Queensland, various Yacht Clubs, Class Associations and Industry representative bodies.
I have been fortunate to have worked with and represented people from all walks of life.
I am married and have three children all now adults and finding their way in the world.
Recently (2019 and 2022) I completed circumnavigations of Tasmania with RYCT and RGYC - lifetime goals and both times extraordinary experiences.
EARLY career
Prior to working in the North East, I was at the Queensland Bar 2008 - 2012. Before that, I ran my own legal firm for 13 years on the Mornington Peninsula, and before that practised as a barrister from 1982 - 1989, and during that time established my barristers practice in Sale, Gippsland.
I completed my first ADR/Mediation training in 1996, and updated my mediation qualifications in 2013, and am an accredited NMAS Mediator.
I also completed Specialist Accreditation -Family Law in 2013, and qualified as a Family Law Arbitrator on the AIFLAM List of Arbitrators pursuant to Regulation 67B, Family Law Regulations (1984).
CAREER - in a nutshell -
Admitted Barrister and Solicitor - Supreme Court of Victoria 1981
I graduated with Commerce and Law degrees from the University of Melbourne in 1979
I was Articled in Frankston with Principal Barney Rockman having worked with his firm during university vacations from 1975 until graduation
Called to the Victorian Bar 1982 and read with Brian W Collis QC.
Established chambers in Sale (Gippsland) with the approval of the Bar Council in 1984
Common-Law - "Industrial Accident" and "Running Down" Jury trials in Bairnsdale, Sale and the LaTrobe Valley
I Left the Vic Bar 1989 to practice as a solicitor consultant
In 1993 I purchased a practice on the Mornington Peninsula and operated it until 2006, having grown to employing 3 solicitors and 10+ support staff
In 1996 I was accredited as an ADR Specialist L.I.V. (Law 2000).
From 1996 - 2006 - I owned "Hall Solicitors - The Law Firm" at Rye and then Mornington
I completed legal matters in all jurisdictions and was involved in Timeshare, on the board of ATHOC, and spoke at many State and National Conferences
In 2006 Sold my practice to my then partner, and took sabbatical leave sailing up the East Coast of Australia, ending up at Southport, Queensland
In 2007 I was admitted as a solicitor in Queensland, and practised with a firm on the Gold Coast
In 2008 I was called to the Queensland Bar, with chambers on the Gold Coast, Southport
From September 2012 - June 2014 - Slater & Gordon Lawyers Senior Consultant based in Albury, and conducting Family Law for their Albury, Wangaratta and Wagga Wagga offices.
In 2013 I qualified as a Nationally Accredited Mediator (NMAS) after completing an accredited course with AIFLAM
In 2013 I also qualified as an Accredited Specialist - Family Law (LIV) and hold the specialisation qualification currently
In 2014 - I re-joined the Victorian Bar and have practised since, mainly in Family Law
I have completed numerous mediations as Mediator mainly in Family Law matters, though I have also been involved in Commercial matters, Part IV TFM as Mediator, and Partition matters as a VCAT Panel Mediator
In 2016 - I undertook further training as a Family Law Arbitrator (AIFLAM)
2017 - present, I assist the Vicbar Lawyer's Mediation Certificate by coaching and assessing candidates for the Lawyers Mediation Certificate (LMC) which enables candidates to be nationally accredited as NMAS Mediators.
"I can help you with a solution through mediation"
