This paper sets out how the law protects ‘ownership’ of businesses and business ideas. The world changed in 2007. Many asset prices are now at an all-time high. It is timely for all businesses to be aware of the protection that is available to them by legal means.
Graduate Lawyer
Talia is a Juris Doctor graduate from Monash University. Prior to studying law, she obtained an Economics degree with honours. She was also selected to be part of the entrepreneurship program in National University of Singapore. She is interested in the intersection between law and economics. Talia wants to develop strategies that achieve the best possible outcomes while minimising costs to clients.
Prior to commencing at Walpole Menzies, Talia worked with commercial entities including start-ups and small-to-medium enterprises. With a strong sense of commercial awareness, Talia is attentive to clients’ business objectives and personal priorities.
Email: tchen@walpolemenzies.com
Direct: +61 3 8594 0954
Mobile: +61 478 251 088
Lawyer
Falak graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) from Victoria University in 2022. She joined the team at WM in February 2023 as a graduate lawyer. Outside of her legal work, Falak is passionate about supporting aspiring lawyers. She is heavily involved in mentoring as a VU Alumni and is also involved in the Law Institute of Victoria Mentoring Program.
Email: fsakak@walpolemenzies.com
Direct: +61 3 8594 0952
Mobile: +61 405 321 342
Law Graduate
After completing her Bachelor of Laws in March 2022, Maille plans to complete her Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at the Leo Cussen Centre whilst with the firm. She plans to be admitted to practice in 2023.
Maille has legal experience working in a community legal centre as a paralegal as well as volunteer experience working with a barrister during a County Court trial.
Maille is a strong communicator and is eager to assist the Walpole Menzies team in navigating client legal disputes efficiently and effectively.
Email: mcornelius@walpolemenzies.com
Direct: +61 3 8535 3163
Mobile: +61 433 553 874
Law Graduate
Melissa relocated from Tasmania to Melbourne in 2017 to pursue a career in law. She aims to develop her legal skills and knowledge to assist clients in achieving suitable outcomes for their legal disputes.
Melissa joined Walpole Menzies as a part time Law Clerk in March 2021. In November 2021 upon completing a Bachelor of Laws / Bachelor of Property and Real Estate at Deakin University she accepted an invitation to join the firm as a Law Graduate.
Email: mcatto@walpolemenzies.com
Direct: +61 3 8594 0953
Mobile: +61 411 379 806
Lawyer
Caitlin has been with the firm since March 2021. She began as a Law Clerk and then commenced as a Law Graduate upon the completion of her Bachelor of Laws (with distinction) in June 2021.
On 23 August 2022, Caitlin was admitted to practice and began working as a Lawyer with the firm.
Caitlin is passionate about the law and aims to build the skills necessary for strong relationships with clients whilst helping them efficiently and effectively navigate their legal disputes.
Email: ccook@walpolemenzies.com
Direct: +61 3 8594 0954
Mobile: +61 430 713 361
Lawyer
Nicholas commenced working with Walpole Menzies in May 2021.
Nicholas comes to Walpole Menzies with a diverse experience in dealing with complex and large as well as smaller commercial litigation matters. He likes to assist clients in navigating through what can be at times a stressful and complex litigation process. Nicholas deals with commercial disputes in a practical manner so as to achieve realistic results for his clients.
Email: npacker@walpolemenzies.com
Direct: +61 3 8594 0951
Mobile: +61 409 641 697
Associate
In December 2019, Sarah Grace joined Walpole Menzies as a law graduate after completing a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounting) and Bachelor of Laws at Deakin University. Sarah was admitted to practice in March 2021 and in July 2022 was made an Associate.
Sarah works with the Principal, Andrew Stops on complex commercial litigation matters in VCAT and both the Supreme and County Courts of Victoria. Sarah is eager and driven to find suitable results for clients.
As well as her love for the law, Sarah has a passion for her work within the community. She volunteers as a mentor for law students with Victorian Women Lawyers and is a volunteer leader with Girl Guides Victoria.
Email: sgrace@walpolemenzies.com
Direct: +61 3 8594 0952
Mobile: +61 403 050 905
Lawyer
In November 2018, Ashleigh Kent joined Walpole Menzies as a Law Clerk assisting Andrew Stops with various legal and administrative tasks. Ashleigh obtained her Bachelor of Laws (with distinction)/Bachelor of Commerce (with distinction) in June 2019 and continued with the firm as a Law Graduate. In August 2020, Ashleigh was admitted to practice. She will continue to serve the clients of Walpole Menzies in her capacity as a Lawyer.
Ashleigh regularly assists Andrew on large and complex commercial matters in all Victorian Courts. She also works autonomously on her own files under the supervision of Andrew.
Ashleigh’s passion for the law is evidenced by her excellent work ethic and her desire to find appropriate solutions for all clients who walk through the doors of Walpole Menzies.
Email: akent@walpolemenzies.com
Direct: +61 3 8594 0953
Mobile: +61 458 007 930
Founder
Andrew is a business minded and educated commercial lawyer. He advised on commercial disputes and the structure and strategy of transactions. He honed his skills in the Magistrates’ Court and graduated to a suite of disputes involving more than $100M. In addition to commercial work he has conducted defamation proceedings for people in public life as well as proceedings concerning the validity and enforcement of intellectual property in courts and tribunals in Europe.
Andrew is also an experienced insolvency lawyer, being a full member of the Insolvency Reconstruction and Turnaround Association.
Email: astops@walpolemenzies.com
Mobile: +61 4 1062 5019
Direct: +61 3 8535 3161
Andrew speaks on legal issues facing the legal profession such privilege, and issues that relate to competitive strategy.
Practice Manager
Natasha has worked with lawyers supporting them in terms of file management, client service and accounts since 1993. She has worked with Andrew Stops since 2003 and trained a number of administrative staff.
Natasha prides herself in quality, rigour, and attention to detail. She was the administration behind many of the cases in Andrew’s portfolio. The combined achievements of Andrew and Natasha were only possible because of the manner in which Natasha kept the electronic and physical documents.
Email: nbuyck@walpolemenzies.com
Mobile: +61 4 1489 6934
Direct: +61 3 8535 3162
