Junior Counsel 1 – 6 years – University Chambers

William Dawes

William accepts briefs in all areas of law, jurisdictions and locations – including regional and remote forums.

Prior to coming to the bar, William practised as a Senior Associate in Dr Ashley Tsacalos’ Public Sector team, where he acted in Royal Commissions, public inquiries, coronial inquests and parliamentary investigations, acting for a mix of Government, corporate and individual clients, including prominent public figures. This unique and dynamic practice also comprised complex work in judicial review, commercial litigation, defamation, common law matters and major insurance claims. William also gained experience as a solicitor in employment, industrial relations, work health safety, insolvency and class actions.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Arts (Ancient History) (University of Sydney)
Bachelor of Laws (University of Sydney)

David de Mestre

David was admitted to the NSW Bar in 2025 after five years as a solicitor in private practice. He has extensive experience in all State and Federal jurisdictions acting for Australian and multinational corporations, directors, liquidators, high profile Australian brands and local governments. A selection of David’s cases is available on his CV (accessible here).

David holds both a Bachelor of Laws and Master of Laws in commercial law from Macquarie University. In 2025, David won the Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards in two categories: insolvency and media/telecommunications.

David accepts briefs in all areas of law with particular interest in insolvency, equity/trusts, fraud, shareholder disputes, professional negligence, financial services and defamation.

Qualifications / Awards

Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards: Insolvency & Media/telecommunications
Bachelor of Laws (LLB, Macquarie University)
Master of Laws (LLM, Macquarie University)
ARITA Certificate in Introduction to Insolvency (2022)

John Su

John accepts briefs in all areas of law. Before coming to the Bar, John practised as a solicitor at King & Wood Mallesons in the Dispute Resolution group, specialising in construction disputes. In this role, John’s experience primarily consisted of large-scale PPP disputes and confidential arbitrations. As a solicitor, he also has experience in real property transactions and taxation.

John is open to accepting briefs in remote and regional locations.

Since 2017, John has served as a reservist in the Australian Army. He is in the Royal Australian Corps of Signals and currently holds the rank of Captain.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science (Advanced Mathematics) (Hons I) (University of Sydney)
Bachelor of Laws (University of Sydney)

Christopher Humby

Chris practices across all areas of the construction, engineering, energy and technology sectors.

Chris has particular experience acting in large scale and complex construction and engineering litigation and arbitration – in both the domestic and international contexts. He is regularly instructed as counsel (both led and unled) in litigation, arbitrations, mediations, and expert determinations.

Chris is recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a leading construction and infrastructure junior counsel in Australia (2024 & 2025) and South Australia (2023 – 2025). As a solicitor he was noted by Legal 500 UK 2021 for International Arbitration and selected as a “Rising Star” by US legal publication Law360 for 2019 in the area of construction.

Prior to being called to the Bar, Chris was an Of Counsel at Quinn Emanuel Urquhart & Sullivan LLP in London. In that role he managed arbitrations and related litigation arising out of significant construction and energy projects in the Middle East.

Chris holds a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne specialising in construction law and dispute resolution. He has published and presented on construction and arbitration issues in Australia, the UK and the Middle East.

Chris is also a member of Young’s List in Melbourne.

Qualifications

Master of Laws (LLM) (2012) (University of Melbourne)
Bachelor of Laws (LLB) (Honours) (2007) (University of Adelaide)
Bachelor of Justice & Society (2003) (Flinders University of South Australia)

Admissions

Admitted to practice (2009)
Independent Bar (2022)

Professional memberships

South Australian Bar Association (SABA) (Bar Reader 2022)
Society of Construction Law Australia
Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration, SA State Committee Member

Christopher Hartcher

Christopher was called to the Bar in September 2024 following his admission as a solicitor to the Supreme Court of New South Wales in December 2018 and to the High Court of Australia in February 2019.

As a solicitor, Christopher gained experience across various areas including commercial and corporate law, general commercial litigation, corporate advisory (M&A), tax, and intellectual property at Colin Biggers & Paisley and Gilbert + Tobin. Additionally, he was a research assistant to Barrister, Mr Hugh Somerville who specialises in equity and trusts, property, commercial law, and insolvency.

Christopher accepts briefs in all areas of law, and has experience in corporate advisory, commercial litigation, equity and trusts, banking and finance, tax, and insolvency.

He holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Technology, Sydney (2018), where he attained first place in company law, insurance law, and corporate governance. He was also the inaugural recipient of the Australian Insurance Law Association award for best-performing student in insurance law (2018). He also holds a Bachelor of Business and a Bachelor of Communications from Charles Sturt University (2014).

He intends to commence a Master of Laws (LLM) in tax at the University of Sydney in 2025.

John Nolan

John accepts briefs in all areas of law. He practices predominantly in commercial law, with a focus on insolvency, corporations, banking and equity. John also has significant experience in disputes relating to taxation, property, construction and Federal and State criminal law. John’s instructing solicitors include small and large law firms, sole practitioners, government agencies, and regulators.

John has appeared both led and unled in contested applications and hearings in all jurisdictions in NSW and in the Federal Court of Australia.

Before coming to the Bar, John also practiced as a solicitor for 7 years having been admitted to the Supreme Court of NSW and the High Court. During his time as a solicitor, John was a Senior Associate in Ashurst’s tier-one Restructuring, Insolvency and Special Situations Group, a Senior Associate at Colin Biggers & Paisley in its Restructuring & Insolvency group, and a Federal Prosecutor for the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecutions.

As a solicitor in commercial practice, John acted for insolvency practitioners, State and Federal government agencies, small to large companies, directors, funds, and foreign and domestic banks and lenders. His practice involved both advising on front-end restructuring and litigation predominantly in the Supreme Court of NSW and the Federal Court of Australia.

Selection of cases (as Counsel)

Commercial

Zacharatos v Western Agricultural Co Pty Ltd [2026] NSWSC 106 (Corporations, Estates), led by L Ellison SC and K Josifoski (instructed by Bridges Lawyers)
Golden Leap Investment Ltd v Glorious Property Holdings Ltd [2026] NSWSC 180 (Private international law, Procedure) unled (instructed by Ashurst)
Re FSM Development Pty Ltd (in liq) [2025] NSWSC 988 (Insolvency, Examinations) led by D Cook SC (instructed by Ashurst)
SP Multi Claims Holdings LLC v Digital Surge Pty Ltd & Anor (Ongoing) NSWSC (Contract, Insolvency), led by D Williams SC and M Rose (instructed by Ashurst)
In the matter of Northwest Minerals Pty Ltd (Ongoing) FCA (Insolvency, Termination of winding up) unled (instructed by Swaab)
Morella Corporation Limited v Tucker & Anor (Ongoing) FCA (Corporations, Insolvency), led by D Williams SC and M Rose (instructed by Ashurst)
In the matter of Paragon Business Group Pty Ltd (In Liquidation) FCA (Corporations, Equity) led by M Rose (instructed by Bridges Lawyers)
In the matter of EncoreFX Pty Ltd (In Liq) (2025 – settled) NSWSC (Insolvency, Voidable transactions) unled (instructed by King & Wood Mallesons)
In the matter of Greatcell Solar Limited (In Liquidation) and Greatcell Solar Australia Pty Ltd (In Liquidation) (Ongoing) FCA (Insolvency, Insolvent trading), led by M Rose (instructed by Colin Biggers & Paisley)
Chang Liu ATF Value Up 1106 Unit Trust & Ors v BHG One Pty Ltd ATF BC Debt Income Opportunities Fund & Ors (Ongoing) NSWSC (Equity, Corporations, Consumer protection), led by M Rose (instructed by HWLE Lawyers)
Goodlife 2020 Pty Ltd v Sicari & Anor (Ongoing) NSWDC (Contract, Real property) unled (instructed by Ashurst)
Greenway Investors Pty Ltd v Bautovich (Ongoing) NSWSC (Real property, Equity, Contract), led by B Coles KC (instructed by Osbornes Lawyers)
Rita Moit & Ors v Michael Moit & Ors (Ongoing) NSWSC (Equity, Oppression) (instructed by Dentons)
Rai v Commonwealth Bank of Australia (2025) NSWSC (Real property, Equity) unled (instructed by Dentons)
Richard Bligh-Jones v Glen Paul Vandenhoek (Ongoing) NSWDC (Contract, Professional negligence, Consumer protection), unled (instructed by Mills Oakley)
In the matters of Nagrada (In Liq) & Zalcom (In Liq) (2025 – settled) NSWDC (Insolvency, Insolvent trading), unled (instructed by PBL Law Group)
Clifford Hallem Healthcare v Jesmond Pharmacy & Ors (2024-25) FCA (Insolvency, Winding up applications), unled (instructed by Ashurst)
Peter Krejci in his capacity as liquidator of Richmond Lifts Pty Ltd (In Liq) & Ors v Teddy Panella & Ors (2025) FCA (Insolvency, Examinations), unled (instructed by McEvoy Legal)
In the matter of Majikk Pty Ltd (2024-25 – settled) NSWSC (Insolvency, Statutory demand), unled (instructed by PBL Law Group)
Scott Langdon in his capacity as joint and several Trustee of the Digital Surge Creditors’ Trust (2024) NSWSC (Equity, Judicial Advice), led by D Williams SC (instructed by Ashurst)
Zagga Investments Pty Ltd v AMAL Security Services Pty Ltd & Ors (2024) NSWSC (Equity), led by J Giles SC and M Rose (instructed by Ashurst)
Procent Pty Ltd v Judo Bank & Ors (2024-2025) NSWSC (Equity, Corporations), S Docker SC (instructed by Herman Legal)
Vardy (liquidator) v Titan Cranes and Rigging Pty Ltd, in the matter of Boon Business Consultants Pty Ltd (in liq) [2024] FCA 1410 (Suppression orders), unled (instructed by Ashurst)
Fourteen Consulting Services Pty Ltd (in liq) v A.O.B Holding Pty Ltd (in liq) (No 5) [2024] FCA 1029 (Corporations, Insolvency), led by R Notley (instructed by Ashurst)
Mooi Holdings Pty Ltd v SFN Constructions Pty Ltd (2024) NSWSC (Construction), led by F Ashworth and S Hanscombe (instructed by Ashurst)
In the matter of the bankrupt estate of Marlas Zhu (2024) FCA (Bankruptcy, Examinations), unled (instructed by CBB Law)
Ligon 158 Pty Limited (in liq) v Shield Holdings Australia Pty Ltd (in liq) (Special Purpose Liquidator) [2025] FCA 3 (Corporations, Insolvency), unled (instructed by Ashurst)
Dive Lawyers Pty Ltd t/as Dive Lawyers & Notaries v The Manager, Costs Assessment [2024] NSWSC 721 (Costs), led by M Castle

Taxation

Quest Effect Pty Ltd v Chief Commissioner of State Revenue (2026) NCAT (Taxation, Payroll), led by R Raffell instructed by NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office
Brian Stanley Fisher v Deputy Commissioner of Australian Taxation Office & Anor [2024] FCA 1364 (Taxation, Part IVC), led by K Josifoski
Youssef v Commissioner of Taxation [2024] FCA 1154 (Taxation, Part IVC), led by D McClure SC and K Josifoski

Disciplinary

Zia & Anor v Tax Practitioners Board (Ongoing) (Disciplinary), led by K Josifoski (instructed by the Tax Practitioners Board)
Pineiro v Tax Practitioners Board (Ongoing) (Disciplinary), led by K Josifoski (instructed by the Tax Practitioners Board)
Gage v Tax Practitioners Board (2025) AAT (Disciplinary), led by K Josifoski (instructed by the Tax Practitioners Board)
Gould v Tax Practitioners Board (2024-25) AAT (Disciplinary), led by K Josifoski (instructed by the Tax Practitioners Board)

Selection of cases (as Solicitor)

Mooi Holdings Pty Ltd v SFN Constructions Pty Ltd [2023] NSWSC 573
DSHE Holdings Ltd (Receivers and Managers) (in liq) v Potts; HSBC Bank Ltd v Abboud; Potts v National Australia Bank Ltd [2022] NSWCA 165; 405 ALR 70
NR Addlestone Pty Ltd v Henry v Kogan [2021] NSWSC 1410
Hayes (Liquidator) v 5G Developments Pty Ltd, in the matter of 5G Developments Pty Ltd [2019] FCA 15414
Re Madden (in his capacity as receiver of Direct Acceptance Corporation Ltd (In Liq) (2019) ACSR 245

Bede Haines

EXPERIENCE

Bede accepts briefs in all areas of law, and has particular expertise in property law, contract law, commercial law and equity. He brings to the Bar almost 20 years’ experience as a solicitor, including as a litigation partner in a national commercial firm, having acted for and advised large corporates, all levels of government, institutional land owners and mortgagees.

As a solicitor, he has appeared as advocate in contested matters in the Supreme Court, the Land & Environment Court, the District Court, the Local Court and NCAT. This includes acting for Transport for NSW in Boensch v Transport for NSW and Registrar General of New South Wales [2023] NSWLEC 82.

In 2004, Bede was Tipstaff to the Hon Murray Tobias AM RFD KC on the NSW Court of Appeal.

QUALIFICATIONS and ACADEMICS

Bede holds 2 degrees, B.B.A. (Syd) and LL.B. (NSW). During his studies, he received the Julius Stone Prize for Legal Theory, the Dean’s Certificate for Academic Achievement (UNSW) and was placed on the Deans’ List for Excellence in Academic Performance (Syd).

PUBLICATIONS

Bede is on the editorial panel of the Australian Property Law Bulletin, publishing several articles a year. He has been published in the Australian Law Journal and the Australian Journal of Legal Philosophy.

Georgia Adams

Georgia maintains a busy practice across taxation, commercial, corporate, equity, and trust disputes of all kinds. Prior to coming to the Bar, Georgia’s focus as a solicitor was on commercial and taxation advisory matters, and complex commercial and corporate disputes. She has also worked as an Institutional Banking & Markets Associate at the Commonwealth Bank of Australia, where she advised large corporate, institutional and government clients.

Since 2021, Georgia has held a Chartered Tax Adviser qualification, which is an internationally recognised and respected mark of technical excellence and represents the highest level of professional standards in taxation.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sydney
Chartered Tax Adviser

Memberships

CTA Member of The Tax Institute
Member of the International Fiscal Association (Australian Branch)

Jerry Li

Jerry accepts briefs in all areas of law. He primarily practises in commercial law including property, construction and taxation. He has acted for builders, developers, strata corporations and councils in a variety of matters in relation to defects claims and development applications.

Jerry also teaches at the University of Technology Sydney and received the award for the Barrister category of the Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards 2025.

Prior to joining the bar, Jerry worked as a solicitor at Minter Ellison in the Disputes, Competition and Insurance Practice Group and at Moray & Agnew in their government insurance team.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science (Mathematics) (University of Sydney) (2015-2017)
Bachelor of Laws (University of Sydney) (2015-2019)
Graduate Diploma in Legal Professional Practice (University of New South Wales) (2020)

Tim Poisel

Prior to being called to the Bar, Tim had over 10 years’ experience as a solicitor in private practice at mid and top tier law firms.

Tim primarily specialises in Environment & Planning, however practices in various other areas of law. He has appeared in the NSW Court of Appeal, NSW Supreme Court, NSW Land and Environment Court, NSW Local Courts and NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Laws (University of Sydney)
Master of Laws (University of Sydney)

David Allen

David has a general commercial practice and is briefed on a wide range of disputes involving contractual, equitable and statutory remedies. He has broad experience in proceedings involving companies, superannuation funds, managed investment schemes, trusts, partnerships, directors and individuals.

He has particular expertise in relation to finance transactions and financial regulation and has appeared as junior counsel for APRA on several applications. He also appears in building and construction matters.

David trained at Allens (2011-2014) and later practised in London at Allen & Overy LLP (2015-2017). He returned to Australia and before being called to the Bar was a senior associate at Ashurst (2018-2020).

Qualifications

Master of Economics, Bachelor of Laws (Hons I), Bachelor of Arts (Hons I) (University of Sydney)

Presentations and Publications

“Equity, mate’ – Equitable principles limit the effect of general words in releases”, Law Society Journal (2022)
LexisNexis Practical Guidance: Insolvency – Retention of title (2022)
“Recent Banking and Finance Cases”, City of Sydney Law Society (2022)
“Recent Banking and Finance Cases – The Arrium decision and Latest Cases on Unfair Contract Terms”, Ross Parsons Centre, University of Sydney (2021)
Co-author of LexisNexis’s Practical Guidance Personal Property Securities

Vincci Chan

Vincci Chan was called to the bar in 2020 and has a broad commercial practice covering contractual disputes, corporations law and equity.

Prior to her bar admission, she gained extensive experience as a dispute resolution lawyer at various Australian law firms, including as a Senior Associate at Freehills. A significant proportion of the matters on which she has worked have involved clients in the resources (mining, oil, and gas) and banking (including insolvency) sectors.

Vincci has been admitted as an attorney-at-law in Texas, and she has worked abroad gaining further exposure to the resources industry, and skills in contract drafting and negotiations.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Arts (Hons) (University of Western Australia)

Lucinda Cooper-Hackman

Lucinda Cooper-Hackman specialises in commercial law and equity, building and construction law, insurance law and estate administration. Known for her strong communication and interpersonal skills, clients often comment on her approachability, as well as her empathetic approach to preparing a matter and running proceedings.

Lucinda was called to the Bar in 2020, after previously being the Tipstaff to the Honourable Justice Slattery AM RAN in the Equity Division of the Supreme Court of NSW. This gave her first-hand insights into the Court’s workings on commercial matters, including contractual claims, restraints of trade applications, family provision claims, real property claims and applications for judicial advice.

Lucinda has also worked as a solicitor and associate at leading commercial and insurance law firms, managing professional indemnity matters, ranging from professional negligence to class actions. She was admitted to practice in 2015.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Laws (LLB, University of Adelaide)
Master of Laws (LLM, University of Sydney).

Outside of the law, Lucinda loves nothing more than a true crime podcast, her book club (mainly for the cheese platter) and pilates.

Clare Langford

Clare accepts briefs in most areas of law, with a particular interest in public and commercial law. She holds degrees in law and international studies from the University of Sydney and a Master of Public and International Law from the University of Melbourne.

Clare was admitted to practice as a solicitor in 2014 and joined the Bar in 2021. Before coming to the Bar, she was a senior solicitor in the Constitutional and Administrative Law group of the NSW Crown Solicitor’s Office.

She also worked as an associate in the Global Disputes group of the international law firm Jones Day, and as the Researcher to the Equity Division of the Supreme Court of New South Wales under Justice Patricia Bergin.

From 2014 to 2017, Clare was an assistant general editor with the Australian Law Journal and its Personalia editor.

Qualifications

Master of Public and International Law (University of Melbourne, 2020 – 2022)
Bachelor of Laws (Hons I), (University of Sydney, 2008 – 2013)
Bachelor of International Studies (French studies) (University of Sydney, 2008 – 2013)

Select Publications

Chapter 5 of Fisher and Lightwood’s Law of Mortgages (3rd Australian Edition, 2013) on the subject of the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 (Cth).

“The prerogative writs and the origins of English administrative law” (2014) Australian Law Journal.

Patrick Lin

Patrick mainly practises in commercial, corporations, property, equity, and succession law, but accepts briefs across all University Chambers’ practice areas. Patrick also appears in criminal proceedings.

Before coming to the Bar, he practiced as a solicitor in contested estates and completed an LLM at Columbia Law School focusing on intellectual property and private international law.

Qualifications and Awards

Bachelor of Arts (Williams College, USA)
Juris Doctor (Sydney University)
Master of Laws (Columbia University, USA)
- Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar
- Parker School Certificate for Achievement in International and Comparative Law

Publications

Internet Jurisdiction: Using Content Delivery Networks to Ascertain Intention, Virginia Journal of Law and Technology, Vol. 24, No. 3, Fall 2020.

The Portal to Intermediary Liability: Merging Secondary Liability with Private International Law and Equity, Wake Forest Journal of Business and Intellectual Property, Vol. 20, No. 3, Summer 2020.

James M McEnaney

James McEnaney was admitted to practice in 2011.

Between 2014 – 2015, he specialised in workers compensation, work injury damages and Section 151Z recovery at Kaden Boriss. He was previously a solicitor at Turks (2012 -14) and White Barnes (2010 -12). (White Barnes merged with Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers in 2013.)

James was made senior associate at Carroll & O’Dea Lawyers (2015 – 2020), practicing in workers compensation and work injury damages, CTP claims, public liability and medical negligence cases.

James joined University Chambers in 2021.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Laws (LLB, University of Technology, 2005 – 2011),
Bachelor of Communications (Journalism) (University of Technology Sydney, 2005 – 2011)

Jacob Rodgers

Jacob maintains a busy commercial practice. Jacob accepts briefs in all areas of law, with a practice focused principally in the areas of equity, commercial law and insolvency.

Since coming to the Bar, unled appearance work has been the mainstay of Jacob’s practice. Jacob has appeared unled in a wide range of matters (including trials and appeals) in courts and tribunals throughout Australia. Jacob has also worked with various leading silks which has given him broad and valuable experience. A select list of cases in which he has appeared both led and unled is contained in his CV.

Prior to joining the Bar, Jacob was an experienced senior associate in commercial litigation and would regularly appear in court. He even conducted a mediation in New York in relation to a high-profile cross border sports matter and had carriage of a large commercial matter that went to the High Court in 2016. Jacob was admitted as a solicitor in 2012 and prior to that he worked as an Executive Producer at radio station 2UE for five years while completing his studies.

Qualifications

Master of Laws LLM (University of Sydney)
Bachelor of Laws LLB (Hons) and Bachelor of Media (Macquarie University)
Advanced Certification (Insolvency) (Australian Restructuring Insolvency & Turnaround Association & UTS)