Sofia Berezin

Sofia Berezin is a talented and multilingual law graduate fluent in French and English, with conversational proficiency in Arabic, Spanish, and Russian. She brings a wealth of experience from her roles at Legal Aid ACT, where she worked as a Helpline Coordinator and Paralegal, as well as at the Youth Law Centre. Sofia has developed a strong aptitude for assisting clients in areas such as migration, criminal, family, and domestic violence law.

Sofia’s international experience includes working closely with Ukrainian refugees in Latvia and Georgia, where she supported displaced women and children and developed exceptional cultural sensitivity skills. Her background in law and languages enables her to communicate effectively with clients from diverse demographics and handle matters involving cross-cultural complexities.

Now part of our team at YourLawyer, Sofia is dedicated to providing high-quality legal assistance in injury compensation and migration. Her trauma-informed approach and excellent communication skills ensure clients feel supported and understood throughout their legal journey.

Ali Tog-Dheer

Ali Tog-Dheer is a versatile professional with experience spanning law, health, and education, complemented by industry knowledge in pharmacy. Currently pursuing a Bachelor of Laws at Deakin University, Ali has demonstrated a strong commitment to social justice and human rights through volunteer work with organisations like the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre and the Muslim Legal Network.

With a foundation in quality control and operational management, Ali has developed and implemented frameworks that ensure efficiency and compliance in various roles. His experience as a Pharmacy Assistant and Document Controller has honed his ability to manage processes and deliver excellent service in dynamic environments.

Ali’s multidisciplinary expertise and dedication to serving others make him an adaptable and resourceful professional. He is committed to fostering positive client experiences through clear communication and a solution-focused approach.

He is currently supporting victims with their applications for financial assistance.

Joshua Chieng

Joshua is an emerging legal professional with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University. He is currently completing his Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice at the Leo Cussen Centre for Law and is eligible for admission to the Supreme Court of Victoria in February 2024.

Joshua brings over five years of client-facing experience, coupled with a passion for human rights and social justice. During his legal studies, he gained invaluable experience through placements at generalist and human rights law clinics, as well as volunteering as a paralegal at organisations like the Eleos Anti-Death Penalty Clinic and Monash Law Clinic. His hands-on involvement has equipped him with strong legal research, drafting, and case management skills.

Joshua is a skilled and approachable professional who is committed to delivering quality legal assistance and fostering trust with his clients. He is currently supporting victims with their applications for financial assistance.

Janavi Wijesundara

Janavi-Wijesundara

Janavi is a VOCAT Lawyer at YourLawyer. In this role, she helps victims of violent crimes access the support they need through the Victims of Crime Assistance Tribunal. She highly values justice and is deeply moved to assist people in accessing their rights.

Janavi Wijesundara graduated with a Bachelor of Law and Science from Deakin University in 2023. She completed her practical legal training with YourLawyer and was admitted to practice law in October 2023. Janavi completed seven months in litigation, specifically in motor vehicle insurance litigations, recovery claims, and defence, before returning to YourLawyer to take on the VOCAT role.

Janavi can speak and write in Sinhalese fluently, making her a valuable asset to Sri Lankan clients seeking a personalised experience in VOCAT matters, as well as in migration and personal injury cases where she provides assistance.

Outside of work, Janavi is very social and outgoing, constantly looking for opportunities to explore new places locally in Melbourne and overseas to gain cultural experiences. She enjoys spending time at the gym after work to maintain a healthy lifestyle. She is deeply connected to her Sri Lankan heritage and actively participates in Sri Lankan cultural ceremonies and activities.

 

Languages: Sinhalese

Caitlin Lowndes

Caitlin Lowndes is a dedicated and passionate Law Clerk at YourLawyer. Currently in her third year of studies pursuing a Bachelor of Law and Commerce at the Australian Catholic University, Caitlin brings a blend of academic knowledge and real-world experience to her role.

Her journey into the legal field commenced with volunteering at Refugee Legal, where she discovered her strong passion for law and its transformative power in providing support to those in need. This experience ignited her commitment to making a positive impact through the legal profession.

Beyond her dedication to law, Caitlin nurtures passions for netball and gym, finding balance and fulfillment in both professional and personal pursuits.

In her role at YourLawyer, Caitlin approaches her work with unwavering commitment to effecting positive change. She contributes invaluable support to the legal team through meticulous research and adept document preparation, ensuring that clients receive the highest level of service and support.

Caitlin continues to make a positive impact on all she comes into contact with, embodying compassion, respect, and care in every interaction.

 

 

Yi Han

Meet Yi, a highly qualified bookkeeper and administrative professional with a strong academic background and extensive experience in the legal industry. Holding both a Bachelor of Accounting and a Master of Finance from RMIT University, Yi brings a unique blend of financial expertise and strategic insight to her role.

With over 6 years of dedicated service in the legal sector, Yi has cultivated a rich experience in accounting and administration. Her attention to detail is a hallmark of her work, ensuring precision and accuracy in every task. As a reliable and supportive team member, Yi plays a crucial role in contributing to the efficiency and seamless operation of the entire team.

Yi’s academic achievements, combined with her practical experience, uniquely position her to provide not only technical support but also strategic insights. She understands the intricacies of financial management and leverages her skills to assist the team in navigating challenges and achieving success.

In both her academic pursuits and professional endeavours, Yi demonstrates a commitment to excellence. As a dedicated and detail-oriented professional, Yi is a valuable asset to the team, ensuring that the financial and administrative aspects run smoothly for optimal organisational success.

 

Languages: Mandarin

Zoe Waters

 

Zoe is a passionate lawyer who is dedicated to helping clients access and navigate the legal system. Since being admitted to practice in March 2023, she has worked at YourLawyer, assisting clients in making VOCAT applications and other areas such as debt recovery and migration. Zoe is driven to make a difference in her clients’ lives, and her compassion and commitment make her a valuable asset to YourLawyer’s team.

Zoe graduated from Deakin University in 2022 with a Bachelor of Arts/Laws and is currently completing an Honours year in International Politics, where she focuses on the disenfranchisement of imprisoned Australians. Her education has given her a deep understanding of the complexities of the legal system, and she uses this knowledge to provide clients with the highest level of service.

At YourLawyer, Zoe is committed to providing exceptional legal services to clients across a range of areas, including VOCAT applications, debt recovery, and migration. She works tirelessly to ensure that clients’ needs are met and that they receive the best possible outcomes. In her spare time, Zoe enjoys cooking and spending time at the beach.

Lena Abdulkadir

Lena Abdulkadir is a serious injury compensation lawyer at YourLawyer

Lena is an accomplished Australian Legal Practitioner who completed her Bachelor of Laws degree at Bond University and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (GDLP) at Leo Cussen Centre for Law. Her major focus is serious injury compensation, where she has demonstrated exceptional skill and dedication. She is also an experienced migration lawyer and assists our migration team.

Lena gained valuable experience working within the immigration team at Deloitte Services Pty Ltd, where she developed skills in a fast-paced and dynamic environment while maintaining and growing client relationships. Lena also volunteered at community legal clinics, which grew her passion for protecting the rights of vulnerable individuals and highlighted the importance of communicating with transparency and empathy.

At YourLawyer, Lena assisted hundred of clients navigate the victims of crime assistance scheme before moving into our personal injury team. Her experience with victims has provided her with an awareness of the spectrum of responses that flow from the trauma associated with serious injury. She has built on this trauma-informed approach to bring a caring and sensitive service to personal injury clients across medical negligence, public liability, TPD, TAC and WorkCover serious injury compensation claims.

Lena is a compassionate lawyer and excellent communicator who understands the effort and commitment required to succeed for her clients. She has a record of maximising the benefits available to her clients by conducting a comprehensive assessment, having a deep understanding of personal injury law and being an adept negotiator. Recognised for her empathetic support and guidance and transparent communication style, Lena is deeply committed to delivering exceptional service to her clients.

She is ready to answer any questions and discuss how she can help you with your legal needs and is available for a preliminary discussion to assess the prospects of your matter.

Check out Lena’s LinkedIn profile.

Jill Chegwidden

Jill Chegwidden

As the first point of contact for YourLawyer, Jill is an invaluable member of our team. In addition to handling administrative tasks and managing client appointments, she also plays a crucial role in ensuring that clients feel welcomed and supported throughout their interactions with our firm.

Jill’s commitment to client satisfaction means that she is always ready to go the extra mile to ensure that our clients receive the best possible service. She is knowledgeable about the services we offer and is able to provide information about how we can help clients in a variety of legal areas. From personal injury to migration law, Jill is able to provide general information about our legal services and can connect clients with the right lawyer to meet their specific needs.

Jill’s expertise extends beyond administrative duties. She also assists our lawyers with document preparation and other tasks that help our clients’ cases run smoothly. Jill’s attention to detail and dedication to quality ensures that our clients receive the highest level of service possible.

In her spare time, Jill enjoys gardening, walking her dogs, and is a keen Sydney Swans supporter. Her passion for her hobbies is reflected in her work at YourLawyer, where she brings the same level of commitment and attention to detail to everything she does.

Overall, Jill’s skills and commitment to client satisfaction make her an essential member of the YourLawyer team. She provides invaluable support to both our clients and our lawyers, ensuring that our firm runs efficiently and effectively.

Daryl Minter

Daryl Minter is a registered migration agent authorised to provide comprehensive migration advice in Australia. He can assess clients’ eligibility and prospects for different visa options, provide guidance on various visa and citizenship pathways, including sponsorships and the application process.

Additionally, Daryl can represent clients at the Administrative Appeals Tribunal (AAT) in matters related to migration and citizenship reviews. This includes appealing visa refusals or cancellations, seeking reviews of citizenship decisions, and advocating for clients’ interests during AAT hearings.

By offering expert advice and representation, Daryl plays a crucial role in assisting individuals and families with their immigration and citizenship matters, helping them navigate the complexities of Australian immigration law and procedures effectively.

As an accomplished leader with a wealth of experience, Daryl also manages the team at YourLawyer. His professional journey has taken him through multi-national and ASX-listed enterprises, as well as private businesses across a diverse array of sectors, including rail, construction, retail, distribution, agriculture, transport, and the digital realm. Much of his working life has been in regional areas.

This extensive background in various industries is what sets Daryl apart in his ability to assist businesses and applicants with skilled visas. Having an understanding of the nuances within occupations and the needs of businesses facing skills shortages, Daryl is able to communicate the requirements of the complex migration legislation and regulations, making the seemingly impossible, achievable.

His expertise includes strategic leadership, organisational development, critical thinking, governance, compliance, and the art of driving commercial success. Daryl’s leadership philosophy centres on values-based principles, dedicated to forging high-achieving teams that provide unwavering care and support to clients while nurturing authentic, meaningful relationships.

See Daryl’s registered migration agent details on the Migration Agent’s Registration Authority. Only lawyers and registered migration agents are permitted to charge for migration advice in Australia.

See Daryl’s LinkedIn profile.

Con Nottas

Con is the Director of YourLawyer with over 20 years’ experience in legal practice. Con has looked after numerous clients from all walks of life and handled a wide variety of legal matters including civil/commercial litigation, bankruptcy and corporate insolvency/liquidations and employment law.

Con, has oversight of YourLawyer, ensuring that our legal services are provided in a caring, reliable and professional manner. Con’s persuasive, thorough and detailed approach to his legal work, combined with his friendly and positive disposition are valued by clients and staff alike.

A keen Western Bulldogs supporter, Con balances his legal commitments with a range of sporting and outdoor adventure pursuits including downhill skiing, cycling, Futsal (indoor soccer) and travel.

Belinda Nasr

Belinda is a highly skilled lawyer who graduated from Latrobe University with a Bachelor of Laws in 2016 and was admitted into practice on 5 December 2017. With a predominant interest in all areas of Personal Injury Law, Belinda has a wealth of experience working on complex Personal Injury Matters.

As an Associate with YourLawyer, Belinda focuses on personal injury matters such as Workers Compensation, TAC, Public Liability, Medical Negligence and Superannuation Claims. Her expertise in these areas allows her to provide exceptional legal advice and representation to clients who have suffered from personal injuries. Belinda understands the emotional and financial toll that personal injuries can have on individuals and their families. As such, she is committed to providing compassionate and personalized service to each of her clients.

Belinda is adept at negotiating with insurers and other parties to achieve favourable outcomes for her clients. In cases where a settlement cannot be reached, she is a skilled litigator who is not afraid to fight for her clients’ rights in court. Her dedication to her clients extends beyond just providing legal services. She is committed to keeping her clients informed throughout the legal process and ensures that they are comfortable and confident with the decisions being made. Belinda is passionate about helping her clients achieve justice and move forward with their lives after a personal injury.

Overall, Belinda’s services provide significant value to clients who have suffered personal injuries. With her expertise, dedication, and compassion, she is a valuable asset to the YourLawyer team and a trusted advocate for her clients.