Our People
At Meerkin & Apel we have a strong team committed to the work we do. Our dynamic team combines the strengths of our younger lawyers with many years experience of our longer serving lawyers supported by a dedicated and efficient administrative personnel.
Isaac ApelPartner ContactT 0419 007 404 Email ia@meerkinapel.com.au |
Isaac’s practice focus is litigation and commercial law
for both corporate and private clients. Isaac is a skilled advisor
and negotiator in the commercial field and a tough adversary in
Litigation. He also specialises in entertainment and
intellectual property. Isaac Apel is the Managing Partner of the Firm and is responsible for the strategic direction and management of the Firm both as to the quality and type of legal work performed, as well as the human and capital resources. Isaac graduated from Melbourne University with a Bachelor of Laws. |
Michael CzarnyPartner ContactT 0418 524 442 Email mc@meerkinapel.com.au |
Michael practises in Banking & Finance specialising
in both residential and commercial property mortgage transactions
as well as a variety of non-real estate secured
transactions. Michael assists his private lender clients in negotiating, due diligence, documenting and completion of transactions. Michael was admitted to practice 1977. |
Rodney SawPartner LLB, B.Com (Melbourne) ContactT 0418 503 928 Email rks@meerkinapel.com.au |
Rodney has been a partner in the Commercial and Property law section of the practice since 1986. He draws on over 30 years' experience to provide personal and practical advice and assistance to private and corporate clients in a broad range of commercial and property related transactions. Rodney has advised clients in a wide range of commercial matters including:
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Gary KatzPartner ContactT 0412 762 310 Email gk@meerkinapel.com.au |
Gary heads up the Firm’s Employment Law and Workplace/Industrial Relations Department and has extensive experience in all aspects of these areas including:-
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Marvin WeinbergPartner ContactT 0414 952 770 Email mw@meerkinapel.com.au |
Marvin is a Partner in the Commercial and Property Departments of the Firm. He has extensive experience in dealing with Testator's Family Maintenance Claims, challenges to Wills and other estate related matters. Marvin also practises in the areas of sports law and acts for a number of high profile sportsmen and women. Marvin is a practitioner with over 30 years experience and has been involved in many large and complex transactions on behalf of his clients. Marvin graduated from Monash University in 1978 with a Bachelor of Laws degree and a Bachelor of Economics degree. |
Emanuel TuminoPartner ContactT 0428 535 757 Email et@meerkinapel.com.au |
Emanuel was admitted to practice in 1981 and is a Litigation Partner of the Firm. His areas of focus are general and commercial litigation, building disputes and mediation in all courts from the Magistrates Court to complex Supreme Court cases. Emanuel also conducts matters in the building and the retail tenancy lists in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal and has extensive experience in contract disputes, Trade Practices Act and Fair Trading Act issues, professional negligence matters, estate disputes and corporate debt recovery. Emanuel is fluent in Italian and his many years in practice bring a wealth of experience, broad knowledge and incisive and effective negotiating skills to his client's matters. Emanuel is a member of the Rotary Club of Footscray and is a committee member of the Rotary District 9800 Youth Exchange Committee. |
Hugh MaclarenPartner ContactT 0418 373 060 |
Hugh is a Partner in our litigation department, focusing on commercial litigation. He was admitted to practice in 1995 and has a wide range of experience in general commercial litigation, intellectual property and corporate and securities litigation including director’s duties and partnership disputes. Hugh is an accredited commercial litigation specialist. Hugh acts for a range of clients from individuals through to major corporations advising and where appropriate, litigating. Whether enforcing a matter through to judgment, or resolving disputes on commercial terms, his particular emphasis is on finding practical and commercial solutions. Hugh also has an insolvency practice and advises creditors, directors and insolvency practitioners in matters from bankruptcies through to liquidations of corporate groups. |
Howard ChaitPartner Contact T 0417 344 184 |
Howard is a Partner in our litigation section. He draws on over 25 years experience as a Lawyer and Partner previously in both national and mid-tier legal firms. Howard has substantial expertise in the areas of corporate reconstruction, insolvency and complex litigation and dispute resolution in a wide variety of matters (including litigation in respect of banking disputes, intellectual property, shareholder and director disputes, estate matters, contracts, joint ventures, negligence and disputes brought under the Competition and Consumer Act). Amongst other matters Howard has been involved in over the years since he was admitted as a Lawyer, he has more recently been involved in:
Howard's professional affiliations include membership of the Commercial and Litigation Sections of the Law Institute of Victoria and Australian Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association (ARITA) |
James PerglSpecial Counsel ContactT 0422 447 586 Email |
James Pergl is a senior associate with Meerkin & Apel and was admitted to practice in 1996. James practises in commercial litigation and family law and has experience in all jurisdictions with expertise in large commercial disputes, Trade Practices, disputes between directors and shareholders, building disputes and complex family law property matters. James graduated from Monash University with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts (Hons). He has practised both in London and Australia. |
Joanne RandelloSpecial Counsel ContactT 0411 577 145 Email |
Joanne Randello practises in Family Law. Joanne has extensive experience in complex property disputes and children's matters. Joanne has particular expertise in agreements which protect assets prior to, and during, cohabitation or marriage. Joanne recognises the unique nature of family law disputes and provides her clients with commercially prudent legal advice delivered in an empathetic manner. Joanne leaves no stone unturned in achieving the best result for her clients. Joanne is an advocate of alternative dispute resolution (ADR) processes, such as mediation and often uses ADR to commercially resolve a dispute. Joanne also lectures and conducts tutorial sessions in family law for tertiary students as part of the LLB degree. |
Debra FoulkesSpecial Counsel Contact T 0437 377 355 df@meerkinapel.com.au |
Debra is has practised in family law for 25 years.
She has been involved in numerous complex property and parenting
matters over the years, including:-
Debra has also had experience as an Independent Children’s Lawyer (a lawyer appointed by the court to represent the interests of children). She is an LIV Accredited Specialist in Family Law. She holds a Master of Law from Monash University and has a LL.B (Hons) and a BA from University of Melbourne. She has also practised in the area of Testator’s Family Maintenance. She has a sensible commonsense approach to matters and will mediate wherever possible however she is a firm advocate for her client. |
Caroline CallegariSenior Associate Contact T 0423 513 881 F 95100 399 |
Caroline Callegari was admitted to practice in April 2008 after completing her Articles with the Firm. She is currently specialising in Commercial Litigation, where she has been involved in a number of major commercial matters in various Courts including the Magistrates', County and Supreme Courts of Victoria, the Supreme Court of New South Wales and a special leave application to the High Court. She has provided legal, strategic and practical advice to clients in a range of disputes including contractual, partnership and shareholder disputes and disputes involving claims of breaches of intellectual property rights. She also has extensive experience and knowledge of debt recovery procedures. In addition to practising in Commercial Litigation, Caroline has a variety of experience in the area of Employment Law and Industrial Relations, where she has both provided general employment advice and conducted employment related litigation in the Federal Magistrates Court of Australia, the Fair Work Commission and its predecessors, and in the County Court of Victoria. She also has a keen interest in equal opportunity law and has represented clients in conciliations involving claims of discrimination and sexual harassment in the Victorian Equal Opportunity and Human Rights Commission. Caroline graduated from the University of Melbourne in 2007, with a combined Bachelor of Laws (Honours) Degree and a Bachelor of Science Degree (with a major in Genetics). |
Marilyn WaiSenior Associate Contact T 0403 476 628 F 95100 399 |
Marilyn was admitted to practice in 2006 and acts for both corporate and individual clients advising on commercial, property and taxation matters Marilyn has extensive experience in all aspects of property matters including planning permits, subdivisions and mortgages, retail and commercial leasing of shops and shopping centres. She acts for foreign investors in their acquisitions as well as sales of residential and commercial real estate in Australia providing legal advice on the foreign investment regulations and stamp duty issues in such transactions. Marilyn also advises on the establishment of trust and corporate structures in Australia including joint ventures. She acts for private clients in their sale and purchase of businesses, including franchises, within the hospitality sector as well as recently acting for a proprietor in the sale of one of the largest Chinese aged care facility in Victoria. In 2010 Marilyn commenced legal practice in a well-known Chinese boutique law firm in Melbourne which was the legal advisor to the Hong Kong broadcasting corporation (TVB) in Australia. In 2014 Marilyn was recruited by BDO Asean to be part of their Australian team of lawyers and consultants based in Kuala Lumpur. She became actively involved in consulting and managing GST implementation projects for Malaysian multinational corporations during the transition from the Sales and Service Tax (SST) regime to Goods & Services Tax (GST) which was implemented for the first time in Malaysia on 1 April 2015. During this time she advised some of the largest property development and construction corporations such as Gamuda Land, Gamuda Construction, IGB Corporation and OSK Property Group on the impact and issues arising from the implementation of GST in Malaysia. Marilyn previously lived in Singapore for 12 years where she completed a Bachelor of Business degree and worked in several large marketing and retail firms before moving to Melbourne. She has also worked with Ernst & Young in Malaysia as an Associate Tax Consultant. Marilyn speaks fluent Mandarin, Cantonese and the Malaysian language (Bahasa Malaysia). |
Brooke JollyLawyer Contact T 0450 166 607 |
Brooke Jolly is a lawyer in our Employment Law and Workplace/Industrial Relations Department, having been admitted to practice in 2015. Brooke provides high-level, strategic and practical advice and assistance in a wide range of employment law and workplace relations areas, including the following:
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Khloe SawLawyer Contact T 0433 673 656 F 95100 399 |
Khloe was admitted to practice in 2013 after completing her law traineeship with the firm.
Khloe practices in litigation and has assisted clients in a range of matters including general commercial matters, contractual disputes, consumer law disputes, debt recovery and enforcement of civil debts.
Khloe also practices in family law and has been involved in numerous property and children’s matters. Khloe appreciates both the legal and interpersonal complexities associated with family breakdowns and offers both a pragmatic and caring approach, matched to the client’s specific needs.
Khloe graduated from LaTrobe University in 2012, with a Bachelor of Laws degree and a Bachelor of Business degree. |
Cammie LeeLawyerContact T 0406 223 031 F 95100 399 |
Cammie was admitted to practice in 2014. She is a lawyer in our
Property and Commercial Department.
Cammie has worked for local and overseas investors, for the purchase and sale of residential and commercial properties, including the purchase and sale of shopping centres, large commercial buildings and residential properties. She is adept at assisting her clients in all stages of their purchase or sale, including advising on FIRB compliance, negotiating and drafting contracts of sales, performing due diligence and settlements. Cammie has also worked with developers with off-the-plan development projects, including compliance, drafting off-the-plan contracts, registration of plans of subdivision and settlements.
Cammie holds a Bachelor of Laws from University of Tasmania. She speaks fluent Mandarin, Cantonese, Hokkien and Bahasa Malaysia. |
Laura-Jane PalmaLawyer Contact T 0437 121 305 F 95100 399 ljp@meerkinapel.com.au |
Laura-Jane commenced at Meerkin & Apel in 2019, having previously worked in both small private practices and a mid-tier firm and holds a Bachelor of Business and Bachelor of Laws from La Trobe University. Laura-Jane has worked predominately in the corporate commercial sector and takes pride in advising clients in relation to every day and unusual issues, including purchase and sale transactions, terms and conditions and b2b agreements. Since her admission, Laura-Jane has assisted clients across an array of industries, including food, manufacturing, professional consultancy, silicone and sealants as well as pool products and chemicals. |
Diana HuynhLawyer Contact T 0405 518 329 F 95100 399 dh@meerkinapel.com.au |
Diana was admitted to practice in 2018. She is a lawyer in our
Property Department.
She has advised clients in a wide range of property matters including:
She is familiar with the use of e-conveyancing and has developed an extensive knowledge of PEXA (Property Exchange Australia) and State Revenue Office-Duties Online. She also frequently acts for private lenders in preparation of loan and mortgage documents. Diana is fluent in Vietnamese and will converse in the language if required by clients. Diana graduated from La Trobe University with a Bachelor of Laws degree and a Bachelor of Science (major in Physiology) from Monash University. |
Ilia RoytbergLawyer Contact T 0401 228 135 F 95100 399 ir@meerkinapel.com.au |
Ilia was admitted to practice in 2020 after completing his
traineeship with the firm.
Ilia brings enthusiasm and a lateral thinking to his clients’ matters and strives to find commercial outcomes to disputes. He has assisted in matters in the Supreme Court, County Court and in the Fair Work Commission. Ilia speaks Russian and Spanish. Graduated Victoria University 2019 with a Bachelor of Laws degree. |
Julia StewartLawyer Contact T 0452 344 938 F 95100 399 js@meerkinapel.com.au |
Julia was admitted to practic in 2019 and works with our Insolvency, Litigation & Employment teams. Julia graduating from Victoria University with a Bachelor of Laws degree. |
Rob WallContact T 0429 380 660 F 95100 399 Email |
Rob is a Workplace Relations Advisor with Meerkin and Apel providing advice and assistance on a wide range of human resources/industrial relations issues mainly in the Local Government and Water sectors. As a practical, hands on Advisor, Rob provides advice tailored to the situation with the benefit of 20 years experience in these sectors. This includes negotiating enterprise agreements and advice on human resource management issues. Over this period of time, Rob has established and developed ongoing relationships both on an individual and corporate level. Rob has a Bachelor of Business degree from Monash University. |
David TozerContactT 0429 332 481 Email dt@meerkinapel.com.au
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David is a Workplace Relations Advisor with Meerkin & Apel, providing human resources and industrial relations advice in respect to Local Authority related matters. David was recently appointed after twelve years in Local Government. David started his Local government career at Mildura Rural City working in the Rates Best Value Units. A 12 month appointment at Mount Alexander Shire as Accountant was followed by a move to Moyne Shire, where he was Manager Organisational Development for six years. Apart from conducting numerous senior appointments including CEO recruitment, David has supervised the conduct of municipal elections, negotiated several enterprise agreements and co-ordinated Council’s internal audit process. David provides support on matters regarding enterprise bargaining, disciplinary process, banding classification, recruitment process and governance. David holds a Diploma in Human Resources from South West TAFE. |
Elisa Kelly
Contact T 0412 962 022 F 95100 399 |
Elisa is a Workplace Relations Advisor with Meerkin & Apel, providing human resources and industrial relations advice mainly to local government and statutory authorities. Prior to commencing with the Firm, Elisa practised in that area of expertise for 15 years in Local Government and before that was employed by the Victorian Government as a Solicitor with the Industrial Relations Division of the Department of State Development. Elisa commenced her local government career at the City of Boroondara working in Economic Development for 5 years before returning to her area of passion, industrial relations and human resources at Nillumbik Shire Council. In 2005 Elisa joined Manningham City Council where she held various IR/HR related positions over nine years. Elisa has vast practical experience in enterprise bargaining, performance management, policy and procedure development and recruitment. Elisa has a BA.LLB (Latrobe University) and MBA (Swinburne University).
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Sophia IoannidisContact T 95100 366 F 95100 399 |
Sophia is a Workplace Relations Advisor at Meerkin & Apel, providing a wide range of human resources and industrial relations advice and assistance mainly to Local Government and Water sectors.Sophia started her career in Local Government at Moonee Valley City Council in 2010, where she wasemployed for over eight years. During that time Sophia managed diverse teams within Council and hasextensive experience with dealing with a wide variety of HR/IR management issues, including the following:
Sophia holds a Bachelor of Commerce with a Major in Human Resources Management from Swinburne University. She is currently completing the Juris Doctor, Master of Laws at Monash University.
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