‘As good as any you’ll find’: Meet 21 young South Australian civil legal eagles
From fighting for medical negligence justice to child protection and trailblazing social media law, SA is home to top-notch young lawyers. Meet our legal eagles.
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From an impressive young medical negligence solicitor, to an emerging leader in social media law and a nationally-recognised native title mediator, this state is home to some of the brightest young legal minds.
Today The Advertiser meets 21 working in the civil law space, identified through conversations with industry insiders, leading lawyers and professional training institutions and affiliations.
Aged in their 30s, most under 35 and one as young as 24, each are recognised as rising stars in their fields – ranging from insolvency and commercial dispute resolution, to family law, workers compensation and personal injury litigation – many already firmly established as industry experts.
In a nod to the state’s law schools, each has studied locally.
At 34, Pace Lawyers’ Shavin Silva is a special counsel whose area of expertise is civil litigation and commercial advisory.
“I had an interest in civil litigation even prior to studying law … the reason is rather prosaic – I watched far too many courtroom dramas when I was growing up,” he laughs.
While Fiona Campbell, from DBH Lawyers, has been voted by her peers as a recommended medical negligence solicitor.
“My role gives me the opportunity to investigate claims for good people who are injured through no fault of their own, helping give them a sense of closure and going some part of the way to ‘righting the wrong’, so they can try and move on with their life,” she said.
It follows a celebration of the state’s top divorce lawyers as well as emerging names in the family law space.
Here’s what inspired them, what continues to drive them — and what their career aspirations are:
Michael Stannard, Mellor Olsson
The 34-year-old has this year been named the Rising Star for Corporate & Commercial Law for his “exceptional skills and accomplishments”, by independent industry reviewer Doyles Guide.
The 34-year-old has this year been named the Rising Star for Corporate & Commercial Law for his “exceptional skills and accomplishments”, by independent industry reviewer Doyles Guide.
Celebrated for a “pragmatic and business-oriented approach … and remarkable technical expertise”, Michael Stannard is described as a “trusted adviser … highly sought-after by a diverse clientele spanning various industries”.
Stannard, a senior associate who specialises in commercial and property law, studied law at Flinders University, gaining a Master of Laws at University of Adelaide.
“During my studies I developed a keen interest in business law and contracts as I enjoyed finding solutions to complex legal issues,” he says.
“As I pursued my professional career, I naturally gravitated towards business deals, negotiations and transactions … these areas of practice resonated with my strengths.”
He describes “the opportunity to engage with a diverse range of transactions in a fast-paced environment” as the thing he loves most about his work.
Shavin Silva, Pace Lawyers
As a special counsel, Shavin Silva’s area of expertise is civil litigation and commercial advisory.
The accomplished 34-year-old graduate of Adelaide Uni says he knew what he wanted to specialise in, even before he started studying.
“I had an interest in civil litigation even prior to studying law … the reason is rather prosaic – I watched far too many courtroom dramas when I was growing up,” he laughs.
Now he says the thing he loves most about his work is “being able to help clients finalise often long-standing disputes”.
“A few things come a close second; keeping up with the dynamic and evolving nature of the law, being exposed to a variety of different businesses and industries and how they operate, and of course meeting interesting people, both clients and colleagues, regularly,” he says.
And what is his proudest career achievement to date?
“I have had the privilege of working on matters in a range of jurisdictions up to the High Court but I’m happiest when I have found a way for parties with diametrically opposing views at the start of a matter to come to a resolution of their dispute by agreement,” he says.
Alyse Walter, DBH Lawyers
A partner at her firm, the 31-year-old Adelaide Uni alumna has been named 2023 Rising Star by the Australasian Lawyers Magazine.
Alyse Walter, who is co-chair of the organising committee of the annual South Australian CTP Crash Conference, is a regular face in both the South Australian Employment Tribunal and the District Court.
Her expertise is representing clients in cases involving personal injury litigation (specialising in motor vehicle accidents), workers compensation and general personal injury matters.
“In this role I get to meet a lot of people from different backgrounds with different lived experiences, which makes every matter unique and keeps things interesting,” she says.
Her proudest career achievement to date?
“I was one of the solicitors … acting for the applicants in a recent landmark judgment in which our clients received a damages award of $2.2 million; this was a very significant decision for the motor vehicle scheme and personal injury claims in South Australia,” she says.
Her advice to aspiring young legal eagles is this: “Ask a lot of questions and take on board as much information and different perspectives as you can from people within your networks, whether that be your colleagues, barristers or experts that you engage.”
Paul Gordon, Wallmans Lawyers
A multi award-winning lawyer who is nationally recognised as a leading expert on social media law, Paul Gordon says his career success has been driven by both “the head and heart”.
At 37, the law firm partner who was named Young Lawyer of the Year in 2013 – in “recognition of his professional excellence and contributions to the legal profession and the community at large” – has added to his industry accolades almost annually.
In 2015 he was named by National Lawyers Weekly as one of the top 30 leaders under 30 in Intellectual Property in Australia and is regularly listed as a leading lawyer by The Doyles Guide, in the areas of intellectual property lawyer, technology and media and telecommunications, including in 2023.
The graduate of Flinders University describes his areas of expertise as corporate governance (specialising in assisting Aboriginal community-controlled organisations) as well as “intellectual property, technology, media and commercialisation”.
“On one hand I get to work with new technologies, work on the forefront of social media law, and help new ideas become realities,” he says.
“On the other, I get to help organisations that support the most vulnerable in our communities to improve health outcomes and community projects.
“It’s a real way I can satisfy the head and the heart.”
Gordon says he is keen to promote local legal talent and to show “that Adelaide lawyers can be just as good and successful as anyone in the country”.
He lists career highlights as “many”, including “working towards the people of Oodnadatta finally getting access to safe drinking water after over 50 years of suffering.”
Fiona Campbell, DBH Lawyers
Aged just 30, Fiona Campbell who works in the personal injury space, specialising in medical negligence and birth injury claims, is already partner at her firm.
A graduate of University of South Australia and the College of Law, her advice to aspiring young legal eagles is: “Always take a notepad … surround yourself with good people, listen carefully, ask lots of questions and jump at every opportunity.”
It was during an early placement she discovered a passion for personal injury law.
“My placement helped me realise that I have a lot to give and that personal injury work can be fascinating – I have never looked back,” she says.
“As a medical negligence solicitor I am always learning about the human body and different medical treatments (and) I regularly speak to leading interstate and overseas experts.
“My role gives me the opportunity to investigate claims for good people who are injured through no fault of their own, helping give them a sense of closure and going some part of the way to ‘righting the wrong’, so they can try and move on with their life.”
In 2022, Fiona was voted by her peers as a recommended medical negligence solicitor in South Australia for plaintiffs.
Ashlee Wachtel, Resolve Divorce
At 31, Ashlee Wachtel, who specialises in family law, has been described “as one of the most knowledgeable and committed practitioners in her field”.
The collaboratively-trained lawyer and Adelaide Uni alumna received The Sandra Paul Memorial Prize for the best graduating student in her class for her Masters in Family Law in 2021 and was also a finalist in Lawyers Weekly 30 under 30 Awards for Family Law the same year.
“I knew pretty early on that I wanted to practice in an area of law where I could have an impact and make a difference in the day to day lives of my clients,” she says.
“The most rewarding aspect of being a family lawyer is being able to see the growth and development that my clients make as they transition through their separation journey and reach a resolution of their matter – it is so empowering and rewarding to be a part of that journey.”
Early this month Wachtel’s firm was named Boutique Law Firm of the Year, at the Lawyers Weekly Australian Law Awards.
Michael Pagsanjan, MPS Law
Michael Pagsanjan, a Federal Court of Australia external native title mediator, is founder and principal at Adelaide’s MPS Law, a bespoke practice specialising in native title, commercial law, dispute resolution and pro bono matters.
This year his firm was named a finalist in the 2023 Australian Law Awards Boutique Law Firm of the Year, the most recent of a string of significant industry accolades, including Law Society of South Australia’s Young Lawyer of the Year in 2018.
In 2023, MPS Law was namedLawyers Weekly Native Title Partner of the Year and a finalist in the Pro Bono Partner category, as it was in 2021 and 2020.
Similarly, this year – and again in 2021 – Pagsanjan was named a finalist in the Australian Law Awards Managing Partner of the Year.
The 38-year-old says his passion for social justice was stirred during his law degree at Flinders Uni.
“I was fortunate to work in a commercial law firm while studying and in the early stages of my career, followed by work with native title representative bodies, which led me to establish MPS Law in 2016 … it is an honour to be a trusted adviser to First Nations around Australia to support client self-determination,” he says.
He describes as his proudest career achievement to date “advising on and negotiating the landmark Yamatji Nation settlement, worth over $400 million”.
Brittany Duregon, Mellor Olsson
Driven to help people through “traumatic times in their lives”, this 32-year-old is doing just that as she carves a name for herself as an expert in handling personal injury and medical negligence claims, particularly those involving victims of motor vehicle accidents.
In addition to studying law and commerce at Adelaide Uni, Brittany Duregon has Masters of Legal Practice from the Australian National University and also spent time on exchange at the University of Oxford.
“From very early on, I knew I wanted to find an area of law where I could use my skills to help people through traumatic times in their lives,” she says.
“Injury law, whether it arises from an accident or from medical negligence, requires an enormous amount of time ... every case is different; my clients have often had their world turned upside down having suffered an injury – it can affect their employment, social and sadly, family life.”
Jack Semmens, Andersons Solicitors
Jack Semmens, 26, who works across his firm’s family law and criminal law teams, is described as “operating well beyond his years of practice … managing a large caseload of family law files”.
The UniSA graduate, who studied both law and accounting, was admitted to the Supreme Court of South Australia and the High Court of Australia in 2020.
“I was first exposed to the area of family law when I started working as a legal clerk in a boutique law firm … soon after, I developed a keen interest in family law,” he says.
“I quickly came to realise how I could apply my legal skills and assist people during one of the most difficult times in their lives … my mantra, to approach each matter with empathy and compassion while striving for the best possible outcome for the client.
“There is no better feeling than playing a part in children being reunited with a parent or helping someone achieve financial stability following a separation … the support that a family lawyer can provide is just as important as the legal advice itself.”
He has his sights set on completing a Master’s Degree in Family Law and becoming an accredited specialist in family law.
“(I’d then like to) become a member of the Australian Bar Association and practise as a barrister, specialising in family law and criminal law,” he says.
He lists as his proudest work achievement so far as helping a client to recover her children from interstate amid Covid border closures.
Ashum Owen, Office of Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People
The Flinders Uni alumna is widely recognised as “rising through the ranks for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples’ representation”.
The proud First Nations woman, who wore a kangaroo skin cloak for her admission ceremony to practise law, is driven to correct the “gross over representation of Aboriginal children in the out of home care and youth justice systems”.
Aged 32, she is currently working as the policy, research and advocacy at the Office of Commissioner for Aboriginal Children and Young People, focused on “empowering, strengthening and advocating for Aboriginal children’s rights”.
“As a kid, I always knew that I would work in and for Aboriginal communities … I fell into the child protection space when I attained a solicitor position with the North Australian Aboriginal Family Legal Service in Darwin,” she says.
“One day I would love to establish an organisation and Aboriginal legal service focused on empowering, strengthening and advocating for Aboriginal children’s rights, wellbeing and cultural identities … including being able to provide First Nations lawyers as Independent Children’s Lawyers for child protection and family law matters.”
Her advice to aspiring young legal eagles? “Always be true to yourself, find what aligns and bring others with you on your way to the top,” she says.
Poppy Matters, Lindbloms Lawyers
The 35-year-old who has spent 10 years on the Family Law Committee of South Australian Law Society, is a newly-appointed partner, leading her firm’s team of family lawyers.
Poppy Matters is a standout in the family and de facto law space where her focus is complex property and parenting matters.
“I decided to focus on family law in my first two months of practice back in 2012 … first and foremost, I love helping people,” she says.
“My particular passion is assisting people to separate where commercial and or trust entities intersect their separation.”
The Flinders Uni alumna is also driven to give back to the community through voluntary work on the SHINE SA board and the Board of the Women Lawyers’ Association of SA.
She regards growing her firm’s family law team from two lawyers to five in less than two years her proudest career achievement.
Her advice to aspiring young legal eagles?
“Believe in yourself; to do the hard work with courage and determination, to make sure you read at least one Judgement in your practice area every week and to keep balance in your life – you cannot be the best lawyer if you are not taking care of yourself,” she says.
Drew Craven, Andreyev Lawyers
Aged 33, Drew Craven has specialised in the area of insolvency and commercial dispute resolution and says he remains motivated to help business owners during their “toughest journey”.
“I always enjoyed the deeply technical aspect of insolvency law during study but my focus on the space developed significantly as I began to understand the practical application of the space to everyday life for people,” the Flinders Uni graduate says.
“In what is usually one of the toughest periods of a business owner’s life, there is a genuine opportunity to guide them through the journey such that they are able to continue on and begin looking for the next opportunity.”
Craven currently sits on the board of the not-for-profit Association for Business Restructuring and Turnaround and is a former committee member of the Australian Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association.
He lists his future goals and career aspirations as continuing to “spend more and more of my time investing in and developing the next generation of lawyers”.
Lotta Danner, Swan Family Lawyers
Lotta Danner, 27, graduated from Adelaide Uni with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of International Development and is celebrated within her industry for her “genuine care for each of her clients”.
“Interestingly, I didn’t study family law at university … it wasn’t until I commenced working at the (Legal Services Commission) that I got my first taste of family law, and I quickly came to love the work,” the associate says.
“Family law allows me to have that one-on-one relationship with a client where I can guide them through their separation with as little stress as possible and hopefully achieve a positive outcome … being able to help people through difficult situations has been the driving force behind my career choices.”
And, what’s next?
“My career aspirations are to go to the bar; the advocacy work that I have done in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and the Youth Court has been some of my favourite work so far,” she says.
Natalie Jonas, Andersons Solicitors
The UniSA alumna has taken her experience as a child, growing up the daughter of divorced parents, to shape her approach in the family law space.
“Having experienced the impacts of divorce as a child, I was initially unsure whether family law would be a good fit for me,” she says.
“As I gained more experience, however, I developed a passion for assisting clients to navigate what is often a very difficult and emotional season in their lives.
“My personal experiences allow me to approach every matter with kindness, understanding and empathy.”
The 29-year-old senior associate says she remains motivated by achieving good results for her clients, never more so than in challenging cases.
“One of the most rewarding aspects of my job is being able to achieve an incredible outcome for a client – especially against all the odds,” she says.
“I also enjoy empowering my clients to regain control over their own lives after a break-up”.
She lists as her proudest career achievement to date as assisting a client to recover his young child after his ex-partner absconded with the child interstate.
And her advice to aspiring young legal eagles?
“Work hard and approach every problem with humility and kindness,” she says.
Glen Pearce, DBH Lawyers
A graduate of both UniSA and the Australian National University, Glen Pearce, 33, has chosen to specialise – and excel – in personal injury.
“I was inspired by mentors who were barristers working in this area, restoring some quality-of-life and financial independence to ordinary, everyday people who had suffered injuries of no fault of their own,” he says.
“(I love) the opportunity to work with clients of all walks of life, at varying phases of their life and to help them navigate a very complex area of law during what is usually, one of the most challenging times of their lives.”
He aspires to one day be appointed as a judge or tribunal member.
Last year he was recommended by the independent Doyle’s Guide to Lawyers as a highly-rated work injury compensation lawyer (plaintiff).
Claire Lesiuk, Clark Panagakos
Soon after graduating, Claire Lesiuk secured a position as a legal associate for the esteemed Justice Penelope Kari.
The 29-year-old Adelaide Uni alumna is described by one of the state’s most senior family lawyers as “very hard working, smart and capable … (a) full bottle on the law.”
Now an associate at Clark Panagakos Lesiuk says the variety of family law appeals to her.
“In my third year of study, I was employed as a legal secretary assisting a family lawyer and I liked the fact that family law allowed me to stay up-to-date with other areas of law to continue my professional development,” she says.
“I started my career in private practice and subsequently worked as the legal associate to the Honourable Justice Kari in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
“(Today), I am able to draw on the knowledge and skills I learned from my mentors to support and advise my clients … it is very rewarding to have a direct impact on people’s lives during what is usually a significant and often emotionally charged time for them.”
Alexandra “Alex” Svenson, Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers (TGB)
The UniSA alumna, who works in the family law space, is recognised for her “empathetic manner … especially important in family law, as clients are experiencing upheaval in their lives”.
The 30-year-old senior associate, who has qualifications in law and psychological science, volunteered as a third and fourth year uni student at the Women’s Legal Service SA and also at the UniSA Legal Advice Clinic.
“I was exposed to a lot of family law matters and I enjoyed being able to help people through one of the most difficult times in their lives,” Alexandra “Alex” Svenson says.
“I also felt that family law was an area that would be well suited to me having studied both law and psychology … I love working in an area of law where I can work directly with clients about issues that are important to them.
“It is difficult to choose one achievement but what comes to mind when I think about feeling proud is when I have helped to resolve an especially difficult matter.”
Moving forward she hopes to mentor junior lawyers.
Charlie Parsons, Mellor Olsson
Described as “a natural leader with a calm and thoughtful demeanour”, this 31-year-old has already made his mark in property law in South Australia and aspires to “build a large practice in that space”.
A graduate of both Adelaide Uni and Sydney’s University of Technology, Charlie Parsons says he fell into the area of law he is now so passionate about.
“I still didn’t really know what my preferred area of law was when I finished studying … opportunities led me to property law which in hindsight was very lucky,” the senior associate says, adding the diversity of his work is what he loves most.
“No two days are ever the same … one day I might be working on a multimillion-dollar development or infrastructure matter, and the next helping someone buy their first home.”
He considers fighting for dispossessed landowners who have had their land compulsorily acquired by the government as some of his most rewarding work to date.
“I have helped various clients get better outcomes than they hoped for, including recently for one client over $350,000 in additional compensation from the first offer that they received,” he says.
Deanna Gatto, Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers (TGB)
Deanna Gatto’s choice to specialise in family law stands out in that it was what she always wanted to do.
The 30-year-old who has worked her way up at TGB from graduate in 2017 to senior associate last year, remains as passionate as ever about her career of choice.
“I had my mind made up that I wanted to practise in family law before I started university,” the Adelaide Uni alumna says.
“I always had an interest in the area because it is so intrinsically personal, especially compared to some other areas of law … I really wanted to do something where I could work with people on a personal level and not something dry.
“I love that every day is different and there is never a dull moment; there’s just something so interesting and exciting to me about family law … it’s also extremely rewarding when you are able to help someone who is going through something traumatic with a good outcome.
“I now have the opportunity to continue to develop as a leader within the firm and help mentor our next generation of family lawyers.”
Ben Smith, Mellor Olsson
Ben Smith, 34, has always known he wanted to help people and as a lawyer has specialised in employment and workplace law, including workers compensation, workplace investigations and work health and safety.
“I studied law because I have always wanted to help people … after graduating, I obtained a role as a solicitor (at another reputable Adelaide law firm) in the workers compensation team and moved into the broader employment law area over time,” he says.
“I derive a lot of personal satisfaction out of solving difficult problems in interesting ways and helping people make difficult, but often necessary, decisions.
“I am an extrovert, so I love meeting and getting to know the clients that I work with.”
In the future, the Flinders Uni graduate hopes to expand on assistance available to employers in regional and remote areas.
Joel Niles, Tindall Gask Bentley Lawyers (TGB)
At 24, Joel Niles is the youngest of the lawyers profiled here today but what he lacks in experience is more than compensated for by his attitude and empathetic approach.
“I knew that I wanted to practice in family law before I started studying law,” the associate says.
“I love working with people and I wanted to help individuals navigate an unfamiliar system at a difficult time in their lives and emerge from it with an eye on the future they see for themselves and their family.
“What I have loved the most about my work is seeing a client conclude their family law matter and move on with their life with clarity and a fresh start.”
His career aspirations include working as a family law mediator.
“I would love to help people that have separated to reach (an) agreement between themselves as to their property settlement or care arrangements for their children … allowing them to move on with their lives sooner,” he says.
“My proudest career achievement to date was being able to help a client resolve a complex property settlement matter on day one of a trial, after the matter had been in court for almost six years … the client was able to save on the cost of running a trial and move on with her life sooner than she expected.”
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