We represent clients confronting legal challenges that carry serious consequences — for their businesses, their assets, and their futures.
Our practice spans commercial litigation, corporate structuring, estate administration, and property law. In each matter, we deliver strategic counsel designed to protect your position and prevent further risk.
We don't overcomplicate. We assess the situation, identify the path forward, and act decisively in your interest.
enquire nowWe bring each client a combination of deep industry knowledge, and expert perspectives from other industries. This allows us to offer our clients fresh perspectives and breakthrough business insights, as well as innovative approaches to their legal queries.
Principal
Joseph was admitted to practice in 1994 and brings over thirty years of legal expertise forged alongside substantial business experience as a property developer, hospitality business owner, and private equity investor.
Unlike most commercial lawyers, Joseph doesn't just advise on deals—he's structured and executed them himself. He's developed significant properties across Victoria's commercial landscape, built and operated hospitality businesses, deployed capital in private equity investments, and serves on multiple corporate boards. This combination of legal mastery and commercial execution gives clients strategic advantage that pure legal advice cannot deliver.
Joseph's practice centers on high-stakes commercial litigation, property development law, planning disputes, and complex contract matters. He has appeared extensively in the Supreme Court, County Court, and VCAT, representing clients in contested commercial disputes, major planning appeals, and multi-party litigation where substantial assets are at stake.
Fluent in Italian, Joseph advises clients who prefer to conduct legal matters in their native language. He maintains strong connections within Melbourne's business community through active membership in the Italian Chamber of Commerce.
Admitted: 1994, Supreme Court of Victoria
Languages: English, Italian (fluent)
Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation, Property Development, Planning Law, Business Advisory
Principal
Joseph was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Victoria and High Court of Australia on 10 April 1985, combining deep legal expertise with sophisticated commercial and financial acumen that distinguishes him from conventional practitioners.
Joseph holds a Bachelor of Laws, Bachelor of Commerce, and is a Certified Practicing Accountant. This rare triple qualification enables him to structure transactions that optimise legal protection, commercial outcomes, and tax efficiency simultaneously—a skillset few lawyers possess.
Over forty years, Joseph has served as trusted advisor to major private and corporate clients across property and commercial sectors. He has acted as in-house counsel for ASX-listed companies, served on multiple corporate boards, and advised on complex transactions spanning multiple jurisdictions. His international business experience extends across Australia, the United States, Hong Kong, British Virgin Islands, Indonesia, Philippines, and throughout Southeast Asia, giving him exceptional cross-border expertise and understanding of international investment structures.
Joseph has appeared extensively across all Victorian jurisdictions—Magistrates, County, Supreme, and Federal Courts—as well as numerous statutory tribunals. When litigation becomes necessary, he conducts advocacy personally rather than briefing external barristers.
Fluent in Italian, Joseph advises clients who prefer to communicate in their native language.
Admitted: 10 April 1985, Supreme Court of Victoria and High Court of Australia
Qualifications: LLB, BCom (Melbourne), CPA
Languages: English, Italian (fluent)
Practice Areas: Commercial Law, Corporate Advisory, Property Transactions, Litigation
Partner
Admitted to legal practice on 4 March 1996, Natalie brings over 25 years of experience across the courtroom, academia, and private practice to her role as Partner and Head of Family Law at DSA Law.
Natalie began her career at the Victorian Bar, appearing regularly in the Magistrates’ Court, County Court, and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia in both criminal and family law matters. Her advocacy work gave her a deep understanding of complex legal issues and the human impact of legal decisions.
She later moved into legal education, teaching practical legal skills—including client interviewing and professional ethics—at Monash University, La Trobe University, and Victoria University. This experience sharpened her ability to guide clients through difficult processes with clarity and compassion.
For a decade, Natalie ran a successful boutique family law firm at Lewenberg & Lewenberg Solicitors, where she built a reputation for delivering pragmatic, client-focused solutions in high-stakes matters.
Natalie joined DSA Law in 2018 and was appointed Partner in 2022. As Head of Family Law, she leads a dedicated team committed to achieving swift, cost-effective, and protective outcomes for clients navigating separation, property settlements, and parenting disputes. Her approach is empathetic yet strategic—always focused on safeguarding her clients’ interests while reducing unnecessary conflict and cost.
Qualifications: LLB, BEC. Monash University.
Areas of Focus: Complex property settlements, parenting arrangements, divorce, and strategic family law advice
Role: Partner & Head of Family Law, DSA Law
Partner
Admitted to legal practice on 20 February 2013, Luke is a Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Specialist in Environment, Planning and Local Government Law and brings over 25 years of deep experience working in—and advising—local government.
Before entering private practice, Luke held senior management roles within local government, leading teams responsible for regulatory functions across health, building, planning, and local laws. This insider perspective gives him unique insight into the operational realities, compliance challenges, and strategic priorities facing councils—making him a highly effective advocate and trusted advisor.Since joining DSA Law in November 2021, Luke has represented and advised both local government and private clients on complex matters under key legislation, including the Planning and Environment Act 1987, Local Government Act 2020, Building Act 1993, Building Regulations 2018 and Environment Protection Act 2017.
A skilled courtroom and tribunal advocate, Luke regularly appears in both the original and review jurisdictions of the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT) and prosecutes and defends matters in the Magistrates’ Court. His practice balances technical precision with practical, solution-focused advice tailored to each client’s goals.
Admitted: 20 February 2013
Accreditation: Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Specialist – Environment, Planning & Local Government Law
Qualifications: MBA, JD, Grad Dip Local Government Law, Grad Dip Legal Practice; extensive local government leadership experience
Areas of Focus: Planning permits and appeals, enforcement actions, local laws, environmental compliance, VCAT advocacy, council governance and statutory decision-making
Special Counsel
Admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia in 1989, John brings nearly 35 years of wide-ranging legal experience across commercial, property, insolvency, financial services, criminal, and family law.
John began his career in private practice in Victoria and operated his own firm from 1994 to 2003, focusing on commercial litigation, property transactions, corporate crime, and complex family law matters. His deep courtroom experience established him as a formidable and strategic advocate.
From 2003 to 2011, John served as a senior lawyer in the Enforcement Directorate of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (ASIC), where he led investigations and enforcement actions for serious breaches of corporations, financial services, and criminal law. This was followed by 18 months at the Financial Ombudsman Service (now AFCA), resolving high-stakes financial disputes for consumers and small businesses.
Since returning to private practice, John has focused on delivering clear, efficient, and results-driven legal solutions. As Special Counsel at DSA Law, he leverages his rare combination of regulatory, litigation, and commercial expertise to guide clients through complex disputes and transactions—always with a focus on achieving the best possible outcome with minimal delay and cost.
Admitted: 1989 (Supreme Court of Victoria and High Court of Australia)
Qualifications: LLB; extensive post-graduate professional development in litigation, regulation, and dispute resolution
Areas of Focus: Commercial litigation, insolvency, property disputes, financial services regulation, corporate crime, complex family law
Role: Special Counsel
Special Counsel
James was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Victoria and High Court of Australia in 2009 and joined DSA Law in March 2019, bringing over fifteen years of experience in commercial litigation and dispute resolution across state and federal jurisdictions.
James specialises in high-stakes commercial disputes where businesses face significant financial exposure. His practice encompasses corporate insolvency, bankruptcy proceedings, contractual disputes, property litigation, debt recovery, professional negligence claims, shareholder oppression and trademark disputes. He focuses on delivering pragmatic solutions that resolve disputes efficiently while protecting his clients' commercial interests.
James has extensive experience in judgment debt recovery and insolvency proceedings. He prepares and applies to set aside creditors' statutory demands, manages bankruptcy notices and creditors' petition proceedings, and conducts corporate winding up applications. His technical expertise in insolvency law allows him to navigate complex multi-party disputes where competing creditor interests collide.
James adopts a commercial approach to dispute resolution, giving advice in plain English rather than legal jargon. He understands that litigation is expensive and disruptive—his objective is to secure favourable outcomes efficiently, whether through negotiated settlement or decisive court action.
Admitted: 2009, Supreme Court of Victoria and High Court of Australia
Qualifications: LLB, BA (Monash University)
Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation, Insolvency, Debt Recovery, Contract Dispute
Special Counsel
Simon brings 26 years of combined legal and commercial experience to DSA Law's corporate and commercial team, with specialist expertise in intellectual property, technology commercialisation, and sustainable energy
His legal career spans 14 years across private practice in Australia and Hong Kong, with significant international experience at Pinsent Masons (Asia), where he led major transactions including Veolia Transport's acquisition of Hong Kong Tramways and ANZ's acquisition of ABN Amro. Before returning to Australian practice, Simon held senior advisory roles at Accenture and served as internal counsel for On Q Group during its ASX listing.
Simon's practice focuses on business sales, intellectual property and technology licensing, financial services regulation (including AFSL applications and MIS structures), loan and security agreements, and shareholder arrangements. His recent matters include advising Tesla on AFSL derivative trading, negotiating a digital technology licence with Barcelona Football Club, and structuring multiple financial services asset sales.
Beyond traditional legal practice, Simon has spent over a decade in commercial roles across technology, financial services, and sustainability sectors, founding and managing businesses in these areas. This experience gives him practical insight into the commercial realities his clients face, particularly in digital technology and sustainable energy ventures.
Simon holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Arts from Adelaide University and is a member of the Law Institute of Victoria.
Senior Associate
Philip was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Victoria in 2014 and joined DSA Law in 2018. Philip has more than a decade of experience in litigation and dispute resolution.
Philip holds a Juris Doctor from Monash University and brings a unique in-house counsel perspective to his litigation practice. He spent two years working in-house at Monash University, where he advised senior management on complex disputes including student-related matters, commercial and property disputes, discrimination and equal opportunity claims, and administrative law matters. This experience gave him strategic insight into how large organisations assess and manage litigation risk.
Philip’s practice encompasses contractual disputes, testator family maintenance claims, employment disputes, property litigation, trust matters, and debt recovery. He manages contested matters across various jurisdictions and understands when to negotiate settlements and when to litigate decisively.
Philip takes a commercial approach to litigation, focusing on outcomes that advance his clients’ interests rather than pursuing legal arguments for their own sake. He communicates complex legal issues in plain English, ensuring clients understand their options, risks, and realistic outcomes before making strategic decisions.
Admitted: 2014, Supreme Court of Victoria and High Court of Australia
Qualifications: JD (Monash University), Master of International Affairs (ANU), BA (Hons)
Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation, Employment Law, Property Disputes, Estate Litigation
Associate
Frank was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Victoria and High Court of Australia in February 2019.
Frank holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from Deakin University and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the College of Law. Since joining DSA Law, he has developed broad legal expertise across multiple practice areas, working alongside the firm's principals on complex commercial and litigation matters.
Frank's practice focuses on commercial litigation, planning and environment law, and criminal matters. He handles contractual disputes, debt recovery proceedings, planning permit appeals, VCAT representations, and criminal defense work. His diverse file load reflects the breadth of his legal experience across different areas of practice.
Frank brings energy and pragmatism to legal problem-solving. He understands that clients need clear advice and efficient execution, not unnecessary complexity or delays. His approach combines technical legal skill with practical commercial sense.
Admitted: 19 March 2019, Supreme Court of Victoria and High Court of Australia
Qualifications: LLB (Hons) (Deakin University), Grad Dip Legal Practice (College of Law)
Practice Areas: Commercial Litigation, Planning & Environment, Criminal Law
Associate
Admitted to legal practice in 2021, Adrian brings focused energy, sharp legal analysis, and a client-first mindset to DSA Law’s Commercial Litigation team. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts from Deakin University, where he developed a strong foundation in commercial and corporate law that continues to shape his practice today.
Adrian specialises in high-stakes commercial disputes, with particular expertise in debt recovery, building and construction litigation, and bankruptcy and insolvency matters. He also maintains a keen interest in defamation law, advising clients on both protecting their reputations and responding to claims.
His experience spans all stages of the litigation lifecycle—from pre-proceeding negotiations and statutory demands through to court advocacy and enforcement. Whether acting for small businesses, contractors, creditors, or individuals, Adrian tailors his approach to the unique commercial and personal pressures his clients face. He understands that litigation isn’t just about legal rights—it’s about achieving practical, timely, and cost-effective resolutions that support his clients’ broader objectives.
Known for his diligence, responsiveness, and strategic thinking, Adrian combines a thorough command of civil procedure and substantive law with a commitment to clear, plain-language communication. He believes that the best legal outcomes come not just from knowing the law, but from listening deeply to the client’s goals and designing a pathway that aligns with them.
At DSA Law, Adrian works closely with senior practitioners to deliver robust, no-nonsense representation—ensuring clients feel supported, informed, and confident at every stage of their matter.
Admitted: 2021
Qualifications: LLB (Hons), BA (Deakin University)
Areas of Focus: Debt Recovery & Statutory Demands, Building & Construction Disputes (including Security of Payment claims), Bankruptcy & Insolvency (creditor and debtor)
Property Lawyer
Vivee holds a Bachelor of Economics and Bachelor of Laws from Monash University and was admitted as an Advocate and Solicitor of the High Court of Malaya in 1991.
Vivee brings extensive international legal experience to DSA Law. In Malaysia, she practised primarily in property law, handling complex conveyancing, property transactions, and land matters. She also served as a consultant with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), providing legal support on refugee and immigration matters. This combination of private practice and international organisation experience gives her broad perspective on legal problem-solving.
Since returning to Melbourne, Vivee has specialised in conveyancing and subdivision work. She joined DSA Law in October 2017 and plays a critical role supporting the firm's property practice, managing transaction documentation, coordinating settlements, and ensuring compliance with Victorian conveyancing requirements.
Fluent in Malay, Vivee assists clients who prefer to communicate in their native language throughout complex property transactions.
Admitted: 1991, High Court of Malaya
Qualifications: BEc, LLB (Monash University)
Languages: English, Malay (fluent)
Areas of Focus: Conveyancing, Property Transactions, Subdivision
Commercial Litigation Lawyer
Madeleine practices in commercial litigation and holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from Deakin University, where she developed a strong interest in commercial and corporate law. She completed her Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the Leo Cussen Centre for Law and was admitted to practice in 2018.
Madeleine was an Associate at the Supreme Court of Victoria in the Commercial Court Trial Division for two years. This role gave her a sound knowledge and understanding of the processes and procedures of Court, litigation strategy, and application of the Court Rules—experience that directly benefits her clients today.
Before joining DSA Law, Madeleine practiced as a commercial litigation lawyer.
Known for her diligence and work ethic, Madeleine guides clients through every stage of the litigation process with clarity and care. She is committed to achieving the best possible outcome for the client whilst upholding the highest standards of professionalism.
Admitted: September 2018
Qualifications: LLB (Hons) (Deakin University), GDLP (Leo Cussen Centre for Law), BA (Hons) (Monash University), GradDip Ed (Monash University)
Areas of Focus: Commercial Litigation, Corporate Law, Dispute Resolution
Lawyer
Rajiv was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Victoria and High Court of Australia in November 2022.
Rajiv holds a Bachelor of Laws from La Trobe University and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from Leo Cussen Centre for Law. Since joining DSA Law, he has developed expertise across multiple practice areas, working on diverse matters that have built his versatility and commercial understanding.
Rajiv's practice focuses on commercial disputes, debt recovery, property law, and estate planning. He handles contractual disputes, creditor enforcement proceedings, property transactions, and estate administration matters. His ability to move between different legal areas allows him to provide clients with comprehensive advice that considers multiple dimensions of their legal issues.
Rajiv provides clear, practical legal advice tailored to each client's specific circumstances. He understands that effective legal solutions require understanding both the technical legal issues and the commercial or personal context driving them. His approach combines careful legal analysis with pragmatic problem-solving.
Admitted: November 2022, Supreme Court of Victoria and High Court of Australia
Qualifications: LLB (La Trobe University), Grad Dip Legal Practice (Leo Cussen Centre for Law)
Practice Areas: Commercial Disputes, Debt Recovery, Property Law, Estate Planning
Lawyer
Matthew was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Victoria and brings specialised expertise in corporate transactions, capital markets, and commercial advisory work.
Matthew holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and Bachelor of Commerce with a major in Finance. This dual qualification gives him both legal rigor and commercial fluency when structuring transactions, advising on governance matters, and navigating complex regulatory frameworks.
Matthew's practice focuses on corporate M&A and private equity transactions, prospectus statements and capital raising, IPO advisory, corporate structuring and governance, securities law, and licensing and intellectual property matters. He advises businesses through significant growth phases—from early-stage capital raising through to public listings and major M&A transactions.
As an entrepreneur himself, Matthew understands business challenges from both sides of the table. He becomes a strategic partner in his clients' growth, taking time to understand their business objectives and brand positioning. His approach combines technical legal expertise with practical commercial insight that advances business goals.
Admitted: Supreme Court of Victoria
Qualifications: LLB (Hons), BCom (Finance)
Practice Areas: Corporate M&A, Capital Markets, Private Equity, Corporate Governance, IP & Licensing
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