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Seasoned practictioners committed to excellence

Nick Theofilakos
Co-Founder & Partner

Nick Theofilakos

About:

Nick is one of the two founding partners of Frenkel Partners, with over 30 years of experience in commercial disputes, corporate restructuring, and personal bankruptcy, with a particular interest in corporate insolvency. 

He is the lead relationship partner and trusted advisor to many of the firm’s key clients. He has worked with and acted for an extensive list of insolvency practitioners and clients from a diverse range of industries and backgrounds across all jurisdictions.  

Nick is highly regarded for his strong client relationships and ability to identify key issues. He regularly provides advice to clients on contractual issues and tactical considerations, as well as negotiating commercial outcomes for clients. 

He specialises in guiding clients through the legal process as seamlessly and practically as possible to achieve the best attainable outcome. He is trusted by his clients to provide strategic and commercial advice for resolution of complex disputes.

Expertise:

  • Commercial Disputes
  • Corporate Insolvency and Personal Bankruptcy
  • Corporate Restructuring
  • Litigation and Dispute Resolution
James Edgar
Partner

James Edgar

About: 

James is a partner who works across our teams in litigation and dispute resolution, commercial, and workplace and employment. James assists individuals, family groups, small to medium enterprises as well as national organisations.   

His extensive experience in litigation stretches across all jurisdictions throughout Australia and in all courts and tribunals — whether it be VCAT, NCAT, the AAT or the Supreme Court and the appellate courts. 

James has acted in a broad range of disputes, including contractual disputes, property, trusts, partnerships, companies, employment, debts, insurance, building and construction, banking, fraud, professional negligence and insolvency and bankruptcy-related matters.

As well as his litigation experience, James maintains a healthy commercial practice and assists many sole traders, start-ups, small businesses and national organisations across a wide variety of industries, including a speciality in the sports and entertainment industries. 

James has advised on numerous sales and purchases of businesses ranging from start-ups to companies worth in excess of $100M. He has also advised clients across a wide variety of commercial agreements, from international exclusive distribution agreements to service, supply, dealership and licence agreements. James prides himself on meeting set deadlines to ensure clients are able to capitalise on opportunities. 

James also advises companies and individuals in all types of workplace and employment matters from front end to back end, including drawing and reviewing employment and contractor agreements, policies and procedures, and employee share schemes. He advises on workplace investigations and complaints, and termination and redundancy scenarios, including advice and representation in unfair dismissal and general protections applications at the Fair Work Commission and Federal Court. 

James enjoys balancing his litigation and commercial practices and focuses on early identification of critical issues and delivery of prompt, practical and commercial outcomes for his clients. 

Expertise:

  • Commercial
  • Litigation & dispute resolution 
  • Restructuring & insolvency
  • Workplace & employment 

Accreditations & memberships:

  • Member of the Law Institute of Victoria
Arthur Bourandanis
Special Counsel

Arthur Bourandanis

About:

Arthur is approaching almost 40 years of private practice, predominantly in property — purchase, sale, property tax structuring, land tax, retail & commercial leases and estate law — and a broad range of commercial matters and mediation or litigation arising from these areas of law. 

Arthur’s experience has involved advising and representing individuals, companies, trusts and other third parties, professionals or their clients by referral. 

Arthur’s experience and practical commercial assessment of issues often facilitate, at the earliest opportunity, a cost-effective solution to problems and disputes. He considers his ability to add value for clients to be paramount in any matter, whether transactional or adversarial.

Outside of business hours, Arthur is involved in directly sourcing and facilitating significant fundraising for the Leukaemia Foundation. Over the years, this has brought him great joy in giving back to others affected by blood cancer. 

A vast majority of clients who have been on their journey with Arthur across many decades consider themselves friends first and clients second. Whether this is in dealing with Arthur or referring their closest family relatives or friends, he considers these relationships as his proudest achievement.

Expertise:

  • Commercial law
  • Estate planning & disputes
  • Property 

Accreditations & memberships:

  • Member of the Law Institute of Victoria
Mark Marcou
Partner

Mark Marcou

About:

Mark originally began his professional career as a chartered accountant, assisting and advising a broad range of clients and businesses across various commercial issues. 

His work encompasses a broad range of areas, including property, leasing, construction, wills and estates, contracts, shareholder/partnership/joint venture matters, employment, and business transactions. Mark’s work involves the provision of advice and assistance in a range of transactions, disputes and other matters concerning these areas of law across various industries.

Mark’s considerable and extensive experience has enabled him to develop a pragmatic and practical approach for his clients, whether assistance is required to complete a transaction, resolve a dispute, draft a contract, or just navigate the various issues that arise.

Expertise:

  • Business transactions
  • Dispute resolution
  • Employment
  • Leasing
  • Property
  • Trusts
  • Wills & estates
Julia Kantzos
Partner

Julia Kantzos

About:

Julia is a senior legal practitioner who fundamentally practices in the commercial and property sector. She looks after a variety of commercial and property-related matters, including but not limited to commercial and residential acquisitions and disposals of property; provision of commercial structuring and asset protection advice; preparation of bare trusts and related trust matters; preparation of shareholders agreements and unitholders agreements; acquisitions and disposals of businesses and assets; leasing and licencing; off-the-plan property transactions and related construction matters; duty exemption property related matters such as partition agreements; property transfers from trustees to beneficiaries; spousal transfers of property; and, a variety of contract preparation, reviews and negotiations. 

Julia also looks after estate planning and administration matters, including preparation of wills, power of attorney documents, survivorship and transmission applications, probate and estate distribution. She also manages the immigration department within the firm.

Julia’s strengths are facilitating transactions from end-to-end, understanding client needs, maintaining efficiency, building long-term relationships and going above and beyond to overcome challenges.

Expertise:

  • Commercial law
  • Estate planning and estate administration
  • Immigration law
  • Property law

Accreditations & memberships:

  • Member of the Law Institute of Victoria
  • Migration Institute of Australia
Bill Lambros
Special Counsel

Bill Lambros

About: 

Bill has over 25 years of extensive experience in private practice, predominantly in litigation and insolvency in Victoria and other jurisdictions throughout Australia. 

His experience in litigation has been across a broad range of matters, including disputes with property, trusts, partnerships, companies, contractual disputes, debts, banking, professional negligence and insolvency-related matters. He has also had experience in administrative law, criminal law, deceased estates and appeal work in that time. 

Bill’s insolvency experience has involved advising and representing insolvency practitioners, individuals, companies, directors and other third parties affected by insolvency. He has had substantial experience advising directors and companies in relation to their duties, obligations and compliance with the Corporations Act. 

Bill has worked with a wide range of clients across all industry sectors. He is equally committed to working with individuals, businesses, and corporations of all sizes. 

Bill applies his experience and knowledge to advise clients and to develop and implement strategies to assist clients in brokering solutions to their problems and disputes. He is committed to turning negatives into positives, delivering commercial and practical outcomes and adding value for his clients.

Expertise: 

  • Insolvency and restructuring 
  • Litigation and dispute resolution

Accreditations & memberships:

  • Member of the Law Institute of Victoria
  • Graduate member of the Australian Restructuring Insolvency & Turnaround Association (ARITA)
Joanna Goldsmith
Partner

Joanna Goldsmith

About:

Joanna joined Frenkel Partners in 2006. She is a partner of the firm, with a focus predominantly in property and commercial law.

Joanna has strong commercial and technical expertise and significant experience in managing and evaluating risk in complex environments, and has a proven track record in delivering results and practical legal solutions.

Acting across a variety of industry sectors, Joanna supports business clients, vendors, purchasers, landlords, tenants and developers in a diverse range of matters and takes an active interest in her client’s concerns, development and growth.

Joanna also works closely alongside some of Melbourne’s leading real estate firms. 

Expertise: 

  • Business transactions including business sales and purchases
  • Commercial and retail leasing for landlords and tenants
  • Commercial, residential and industrial sale and acquisition of freehold, including portfolio transactions
  • General commercial advice, including terms of trade, distribution, agency, confidentiality, employment relations, information technology and privacy law
  • Negotiation and drafting of stakeholder agreements, including partnership, shareholder and joint venture agreements
  • Subdivision and development of commercial, industrial and residential land
  • Succession Planning, wills and complex estate planning 

Accreditations & memberships:

  • Bachelor of Economics
  • Bachelor of Laws (Second Class Honours)
  • Member of the Law Institute of Victoria
Maria Kerhoulas
Partner

Maria Kerhoulas

About:

Maria has over 20 years of experience in private practice, predominantly practising in the areas of litigation and dispute resolution, prosecutions and insolvency. She practices in various jurisdictions in Australia and in all courts and tribunals, including the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal, Magistrates’ Court, County Court, Supreme Court and the Federal Court.

Maria also practices in the area of statutory law and prosecutions in which she has extensive experience and regularly acts and appears for councils, statutory authorities and other bodies in both advising to and prosecuting offences, including under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (Vic), the Domestic Animals Act 1994 (Vic), the Public Health and Wellbeing Act 2008 (Vic) and local laws. 

Maria also acts in the defence of civil claims and judicial review proceedings brought against decisions and actions taken by councils, statutory authorities and other bodies in all levels of the court hierarchy, from the Magistrates’ Court to the Supreme Court, as well as in the review of decisions made to the Victorian Civil & Administrative Tribunal. 

Maria has worked with a variety of different clients in both the private, public and not-for-profit sectors, including individuals, publicly listed and private companies, charitable boards and not-for-profit organisations, statutory authorities, councils, litigation funders, insurers, directors and insolvency practitioners. Maria’s ability to expertly deal with all issues, no matter how big or small, in a pragmatic, efficient and strategic manner, adapting to the differing needs of her clients is a testament to her experience and expertise.

Expertise:

  • Administrative law
  • Commercial and contractual disputes
  • Corporations Law including directors duties
  • Debt recovery
  • Defamation
  • Disputes under the Australian Consumer Law
  • Insolvency (acting on behalf of liquidators, companies, directors and other third parties affected by insolvency)
  • Insurance-related matters (acting on behalf of insurers, claimants and defendants to actions commenced by insurers)
  • Lease and property law disputes
  • Litigation and dispute resolution
  • Professional negligence cases
  • Prosecutions
  • Trademark and copyright disputes
  • Wills and estate disputes

Accreditations & memberships

  • Hellenic Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
  • Hellenic Australian Lawyers
  • Member of the Law Institute of Victoria
  • Member of Women in Insolvency and Restructuring Victoria (WIRV)
  • Recognised and included in the 13th and 14th Editions of The Best Lawyers in Australia in the category of Insolvency and Reorganisation Law
Enio Minisini
Special Counsel

Enio Minisini

About:

Enio was admitted as a legal practitioner in 1991 and has been continuously engaged in private practice since that time. He has been with Frenkel Partners since April 2016 as one of its Special Counsel, having previously been a senior associate and then partner at another Melbourne CBD firm for over 20 years. 

Enio predominantly practices in general commercial law, real estate and private estate, and finance and securities. His practice and expertise span corporate and commercial, corporate governance, employment, real property, wills and estates, finance and securities transactions and advice. 

Enio is committed to understanding and supporting all of his clients to achieve their aims and outcomes by providing efficient, reliable and valuable advice. Enio provides true partnership to his clients, delivering legal services calmly, carefully, and always focused on their needs, mindful that it is their matter.

Expertise:

  • Corporations and corporate governance, trusts
  • Employment
  • Finance and securities
  • General commercial
  • Real and personal property, including commercial and industrial real property leasing and duties, and taxes relating to real property transactions
  • Wills and estates

Accreditations & memberships:

  • Member of the Law Institute of Victoria
Amanda Mond
Partner

Amanda Mond

About:

Amanda was admitted to practice in 2009 and has been working at Frenkel Partners in the commercial law area since 2010, becoming a partner in 2019.

Amanda’s experience in commercial law has been across a broad range of matters, including property, leasing, corporate and trust structures, commercial contracts, sales of assets and businesses, wills, powers of attorney and deceased estates.

Amanda has assisted with small and large transactions, working with businesses and individuals, and has worked with a wide range of clients across different industries.

Expertise:

  • Commercial contracts (including loan agreements, terms and conditions, sales of assets and businesses)
  • Corporate and trust structures (including shareholders agreements and unit holders agreements)
  • Deceased estates (including wills, powers of attorney, probate & letters of administration, estate Administration)
  • Leasing
  • Property (including conveyancing, related party transactions, and complex property transactions) 
Andrew Fox
Special Counsel

Andrew Fox

About:

Andrew is part of our Litigation and Insolvency team and has over 40 years of experience in this space. 

Andrew came to Frenkel Partners in 2014 after 17 years of representing two of the “Big Four” banks in secured lending disputes, claims against loan guarantors and farm debt mediation. His experience extended to acting on behalf of receivers and managers appointed by the banks to large companies in the manufacturing industry, where he worked on competing claims with other secured parties and often complex business sale agreements. He has used that experience working with insolvency practitioners to resolve competing security issues, transaction agreements and property law issues.       

Andrew brought his debt recovery practice to Frenkel Partners, which involves over 25 years of ongoing work with a high-profile public company hardware retailer. That relationship has given Andrew expertise in credit account agreements, property securities law and credit risk assessments.      

Andrew also has expertise in the building construction industry, particularly in resolving disputes under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payments Act.

Andrew has considerable experience in all aspects of corporate and personal insolvency law. He advises creditors and insolvency practitioners in preference claims, insolvent trading and complex transactions to avoid creditor entitlements.     

Andrew also works with clients to resolve commercial disputes arising from failed joint venture projects. The subjects of the disputes have ranged from V8 Supercars to an extensive holding of Wagyu cattle.

Expertise:

  • Agribusiness dispute resolution
  • Building and construction industry disputation
  • Commercial litigation and dispute resolution
  • Insolvency under the Bankruptcy Act and Corporations Act

Accreditations & memberships:

  • Member of the Law Institute of Victoria
John Edgar
Special Counsel

John Edgar

About: 

Admitted in 1984, John is a litigation lawyer with over 35 years of experience. He works in a wide range of litigation matters conducted in courts, tribunals and commissions in a variety of jurisdictions across Australia. 

John has acted for and advised several large sporting organisations and insurers as well as numerous corporations, liquidators and individuals. No matter the size of the business, he approaches all with the same level of dedication and determination to achieve the best possible result for clients.

Known for his honest, upfront approach with clients, John identifies real issues, keeping clients on point and cutting to the chase whilst managing the litigation process to seek resolution at the earliest reasonable opportunity. 

In his downtime, John is a keen cyclist, has an eye for photography, plays cricket, and you may see him around town in his 1968 red Mustang! 

Expertise:

  • Arbitrations 
  • Australian consumer law — misleading & deceptive conduct
  • Employment & workplace law 
  • Insolvency & director’s duties 
  • Insurance — property & product liability
  • OHS & WorkSafe 
  • Partnership disputes, shareholder oppression
  • Sports — governance, contracts, disciplinary and tribunals 
  • Trusts, breach of trust, trustees’ powers

Accreditations & memberships:

  • B Juris/LLB
  • Bond University mediators’ course
  • Member of the Law Institute of Victoria
John Lancefield
Special Counsel

John Lancefield

About:

John is a special counsel who works in the litigation practice group and has over 25 years of experience in litigation and commercial law.

He has a broad litigation practice which includes disputes relating to corporate matters, partnerships, insolvency, franchising law, product liability claims, insurance, property, and construction disputes. John also provides advice in areas that include trade practices and competition law, product safety laws, product distribution agreements, consumer guarantees, unfair contract terms, director’s obligations, the National Consumer Credit Protection Act and the Consumer Credit Code, the Franchising Code of Conduct and the Privacy Act.  

John assists clients in dealing with regulators such as the ACCC, including the conduct of product safety recalls, competition law notifications and regulatory investigations. His clients include liquidators, manufacturers and product distributors, construction companies, lenders and high-net-worth individuals. John also acts as local counsel for several international companies.

John is committed to assisting his clients to achieve commercial outcomes that are cost-effective. He applies his extensive experience in litigation and knowledge gained from acting in a broad range of matters to provide clients with advice that is sound and realistic to assist them in developing strategies that will best achieve their commercial objectives.

Expertise:

  • Competition law
  • Construction
  • Consumer lending
  • Franchising
  • Insolvency and restructuring
  • Litigation and dispute resolution
  • Privacy law
  • Product distribution

Accreditations & memberships:

  • Member of the Law Institute of Victoria
Jayne Sandri
Senior Associate

Jayne Sandri

About: 

Jayne was admitted to practice in May 2012 and joined Frenkel Partners in April 2016. She is a litigation and commercial lawyer with experience in a wide range of litigation conducted in federal and state courts and tribunals, as well as in non-litigious commercial transactions.  

Jayne enjoys exposure to a variety of industries and working collaboratively with colleagues to achieve the best possible legal and commercial outcomes for a diverse range of clients.

Expertise:

  • Commercial law    
  • Insolvency and bankruptcy  
  • Litigation and dispute resolution 

Accreditations & memberships

  • Australian Institute of Company Directors short course – Duties and Responsibilities of the Not-for-Profit Director 
  • Bachelor of Laws/Bachelor of Business (International Trade) 
  • Member of the Law Institute of Victoria
  • Women in Insolvency and Restructuring Victoria member
Peter Hall
Associate

Peter Hall

About:

Peter works predominantly in the property and commercial space and has advised some of Victoria’s premium business groups. 

He has considerable experience in acting for high-net-worth individuals in property purchases exceeding 10 million dollars. He has a particular interest in leasing and advising on State Revenue Office duty exemption applications as well as preparing wills and making probate applications. 

Peter’s clients value his pragmatic and commercial approach and his ability to communicate with them in a timely and effective manner. 

Prior to Frenkels, Peter worked at a small number of firms across his career, including boutique practices in Oakleigh, Malvern, and Armadale. 

In his downtime, Peter enjoys keeping fit, running and supporting the North Melbourne Football Club. 

Expertise:

  • Commercial 
  • Property

Accreditations & memberships:

  • Member of the Law Institute of Victoria
Brooke Naumoff
Leasing & Conveyancing Paralegal

Brooke Naumoff

About:

Brooke has over 20 years of experience in private practice, predominantly in property conveyancing and, more recently, in commercial leasing in Victoria. 

Her experience in property has been across a broad range of matters, including residential and commercial transactions, off-the-plan developments and retirement village transactions. 

Brooke has worked with various clients and is committed to tailoring each file to meet their needs, whether they are first-home buyers, experienced investors or developers. 

Brooke applies her experience and knowledge in property to assist clients in meeting all requirements of a conveyance in a timely manner. She is committed to providing excellent communication and advice to ensure all clients have a sound understanding of the process and are supported through to a satisfactory settlement and beyond. Brooke also applies her skills in the fast-paced world of commercial leasing, with organised and meticulous processes to ensure that all timelines are met, and documents are carefully drafted to ensure that all the terms reflect the client’s best interest, balanced with fairness for all parties. 

Expertise:

  • Property and conveyancing 
  • Retail and commercial leasing 
Vicky Glosz
Conveyancing Clerk

Vicki Glosz

About:

Vicki joined the firm in July 2021. She has expertise in residential, commercial, off-the-plan properties, large developments and subdivisions. Vicki’s career has predominantly been in the property law area, equating to broad knowledge and experience in property-related matters. She is organised, works well under pressure, and ensures matters are completed efficiently, enabling successful outcomes for clients.

Expertise:

  • Property law
Krystelle Hsu
Special Counsel

Krystelle Hsu

About:

Krystelle is a special counsel in the firm’s insolvency/bankruptcy team with over 15 years of experience in commercial litigation. She practises predominantly in the areas of insolvency, general commercial and civil disputes. 

Krystelle acts for various clients, including companies, directors, creditors, receivers and managers, liquidators, administrators and trustees in bankruptcy. Her insolvency experience extends to matters involving liquidator and trustee recovery proceedings, including insolvent trading claims and voidable transaction claims under the Corporations Act 2001 and Bankruptcy Act 1966.

Krystelle also represents companies and individuals with a broad range of disputes, including commercial, debt recovery, partnership, property and IP-related matters.  

Krystelle strives to provide clients with strategic, practical and timely advice tailored specifically towards their needs to achieve the best possible commercial outcome for them.

Expertise:

  • Insolvency and restructuring
  • Litigation and dispute resolution

Accreditations & memberships: 

  • Member of the Law Institute of Victoria
  • Member of the Women in Insolvency and Restructuring Victoria
Naim Bittar
Senior Associate

Naim Bittar

About:

Naim has over six years of experience in commercial law practice, predominantly in litigation and dispute resolution. He assists clients primarily in Victorian jurisdictions, the Federal Court, the Federal Circuit Court and some interstate jurisdictions. 

His experience covers a wide range of matters, including property disputes, employment matters, building matters, shareholder disputes, contractual disputes, partnership disputes, debt recovery and enforcement.  

Naim enjoys understanding the environments that his clients operate in and using this knowledge to resolve their disputes on the best possible terms. His clients, ranging from private individuals to large corporations, appreciate his approachability, diverse experience and focus on commercially based outcomes. 

Expertise: 

  • Insolvency and bankruptcy 
  • Litigation and dispute resolution

Accreditations & memberships:

  • Member of the Law Institute of Victoria
Remi Bilson
Lawyer

Remi Bilson

About:

Remi was admitted to practice in September 2020 and joined Frenkel Partners in May 2023. She previously worked in a large regional firm specialising in wills, estates, and estate-based litigation. 

Remi works in several areas of law, including litigation and dispute resolution, commercial law and wills and estates. She prides herself on achieving unique and personalised outcomes for her clients, focusing on her clients’ needs and providing clear and concise advice with compassion.

Remi enjoys gaining a deep understanding of the issues and working towards the best possible outcomes.

Expertise:

  • Commercial law
  • Litigation and dispute resolution
  • Wills and estates

Accreditations & memberships:

  • Member of the Law Institute of Victoria
Christine Angela
Property Paralegal

Christine Angela

About: 

Christine joined the Commercial and Property team at Frenkels in August 2021. With previous experience in conveyancing, she has worked on a range of commercial law matters at Frenkels, including property, leasing, commercial contracts and powers of attorney. 

Christine has assisted with small and large transactions for both companies and individuals across a wide range of different industries.

Christine understands that property transactions can be a stressful time for many, so she works hard to ensure that clients are kept well-informed of the process, and that each transaction is as smooth and stress-free as possible. 

Expertise:

  • Leasing
  • Property (including conveyancing and complex property transactions)
Michael Bromby
Special Counsel

Michael Bromby

About:

Michael Bromby has practised law in Melbourne for more than 40 years and has a broad depth of experience and developed skills in commercial law.

His enhanced legal expertise enables him to provide his clients with practical and strategic legal advice covering a range of areas — always focusing on providing cost-effective strategies and solutions to achieve the best outcomes for his clients. 

Michael has a diverse client base built up over his many years of practice — international and national companies, long-standing family businesses, not-for-profits, sporting organisations, local government, owners corporations, and individuals. Many of Michael’s clients are referred to him from accounting and financial advising firms, barristers, and other legal practices.

Michael’s areas of practice encompass general commercial and property law, company law and trusts, contract law and disputes, estate planning and wills, advice relating to contested wills, advice to organisations, directors and shareholders concerning corporate governance issues, and to parties involved in family and property-related disputes. 

Respected by his clients, Michael has provided practical and sensible advice for decades.

Expertise:

  • Commercial
  • Estate planning & disputes

Accreditations & memberships:

  • Member of the Law Institute of Victoria
Sofija Celebic
Senior Associate

Sofija Celebic

About:

Sofija is a litigation and dispute resolution lawyer who represents and advises clients in a broad range of matters including contractual disputes, insolvency, property and leasing disputes, intellectual property (including trade mark and copyright), administrative law, disputes under the Australian Consumer Law, defamation, debt recovery, professional negligence, and insurance related matters. 

She practices in various jurisdictions in Australia, including the Magistrates’ Court, County Court, Supreme Court, Federal Court, Federal Circuit and Family Court, and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal. 

Sofija’s insolvency practice includes advising and representing insolvency practitioners, directors, companies and individuals in relation to insolvency matters and bankruptcy. Her experience includes advising on and issuing statutory demands, and acting in winding up proceedings, having appeared in the Supreme Court of Victoria and Federal Court of Australia in relation to the same. 

Further to the above, Sofija’s practice also includes advising, acting for and prosecuting offences on behalf of statutory authorities and local government, including under the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act 1986 (Vic), Domestic Animals Act 1994 (Vic) and local laws. As part of her prosecution practice, she regularly appears and acts in the Magistrates’ Court, as well as other jurisdictions. 

Sofija also has experience in commercial matters, predominantly with respect to leases, including renewal, variation, surrender and assignment of leases, as well as negotiating and drafting leases and lease agreements. 

In light of her diverse practice, Sofija acts for a broad range of clients, including corporations (both public and private), individuals, insurers, statutory authorities, councils, litigation funders, insolvency practitioners, directors, and trustees, who operate in various industries. 

Sofija combines her excellent analytical skills and strong work ethic to provide her clients with strategic and practical advice with the view to reaching an efficient and satisfactory outcome. 

Expertise: 

  • Insolvency
  • Litigation and dispute resolution
  • Prosecutions

Accreditations & memberships:

  • Member of the Law Institute of Victoria
  • Women in Insolvency and Restructuring Victoria (WIRV)
Miriam Silver
Lawyer

Miriam Silver

About:

Miriam was first admitted to practice in Brazil where she worked as an in-house counsel in a property development company for over 5 years before permanently moving to Australia. She was admitted to practice in Australia in 2022.

Miriam assists clients across a range of matters within the property, corporate and commercial law and estate planning sectors. Her practice includes reviewing and advising on a wide array of contracts, acquisitions and disposals of business and real estate assets, facilitating transactions for off-the-plan developments, commercial and retail leasing, and estate planning and administration matters. 

Miriam places significant value on the relationships she builds with her clients and prides herself on applying her business acumen whilst providing tailored advice to suit her clients’ needs in a timely and commercial manner. 

Expertise:

  • Corporate and commercial 
  • Estate planning and estate administration 
  • Property 

Accreditations & memberships:

  • Member of the Law Institute of Victoria
Danae Lomen
Paralegal

Danae Lomen

About:

Danae joined the Property and Commercial team at Frenkel Partners in September 2019.

She provides support in a range of commercial law matters, including property, leasing, commercial contracts and wills and estate matters.

Danae has a particular interest in wills and estates and provides assistance with the drafting of wills, including testamentary trust wills, powers of attorney, probate applications and administration. Dealing with estate matters can be a sensitive and challenging time, and Danae aims to ensure clients are informed and have an understanding of the process involved.  

Danae is experienced in conveyancing, including residential and commercial property sales and purchases, leasing and general commercial matters. There are many elements to property, which often involve the need to multitask in order to keep things moving forward. Danae is always conscious of keeping clients up to date and informed as matters progress.  

Expertise:

  • Commercial contracts
  • Corporate and trust structures 
  • Deceased estates (including Wills, Powers of Attorney and Probate)
  • Leasing
  • Property (including residential and commercial conveyancing)
Diana Szilagyi
Senior Associate

Diana Szilagyi

About: 

Diana has over 13 years of experience in private practice, predominantly in property and commercial law in Victoria, and she prides herself on being a dedicated adviser to her clients.

Her experience has been across a broad range of commercial and property matters, including acquisitions and disposals of residential, commercial and industrial properties; property developments and subdivisions; leasing and licensing agreements in relation to residential, retail and commercial properties; duties and transaction structuring in particular exempt duty transactions; business and asset acquisitions and disposals; and, advising on various types of agreements. 

Diana also has experience in the estate planning and deceased estates space, including preparing wills and applications for probate or letters of administration.

Having worked with a wide range of individual and business clients across various industries, from egg producers to restaurateurs to property developers, Diana adopts a collaborative approach with her clients to deliver commercial and practical outcomes. 

Expertise:

  • Commercial
  • Property
  • Wills and estates

Accreditations & memberships

  • Law Institute of Victoria member
Deniz Berk
Associate

Deniz Berk

About:

Deniz practices predominantly in litigation and insolvency. He has experience acting for prominent insolvency practitioners and individuals and companies dealing with commercial disputes and insolvency issues. 

Whether it’s advisory work or litigation, Deniz enjoys tackling complex situations and devising strategic solutions for his clients. 

Deniz takes pride in developing a strong understanding of his clients’ businesses to assist them in navigating through the issues and opportunities they face. 

He has experience across various industries and levels of courts and tribunals in Victoria and New South Wales, as well as the Federal Court of Australia.

Expertise:

  • Commercial Law
  • Insolvency and Restructuring
  • Litigation and Dispute Resolution

Accreditations & memberships:

  • Member of the Law Institute of Victoria
  • Graduate member of the Australian Restructuring Insolvency & Turnaround Association (ARITA)
Nick Mirgiannis
Lawyer

Nick Mirgiannis

About:

Nick joined Frenkel Partners as a Law Graduate in July 2022, providing assistance to all areas of practice within the firm with a focus on commercial litigation. He was admitted to legal practice on 16 May 2023 and officially joined the firm as a Lawyer following admission.

Nick’s work has predominantly focused on commercial litigation, and he takes pride in learning about the various businesses of each client to best serve their unique and complex needs. In addition to his work in commercial litigation, Nick is keenly interested in dispute resolution and sports law.

To date, Nick has assisted the practice on a variety of matters, including:

  • Large-scale commercial and insolvency disputes between Australian and foreign entities;
  • Commercial disputes between a diverse range of parties, including individuals, businesses, developers, councils, and agencies;
  • Debt recovery matters for individuals and organisations;
  • Employment law matters involving disputes under the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth);
  • Discrimination claims involving applications to the Australian Human Rights Commission;
  • Sports-related contractual matters including multimillion-dollar sponsorship agreements;
  • Private family estate disputes;
  • Intellectual property matters including trade mark applications with IP Australia and disputes related to intellectual property infringement; and,
  • Engagement with the Councils with respect to matters including animal attacks and local law infringements. 

Nick enjoys building close relationships with his clients and brings with him the empathy and understanding necessary to ensure his clients’ needs are met throughout the legal process.

He is passionate about finding answers to complex issues and is dedicated to achieving innovative and effective solutions for each client.

Expertise: 

  • Commercial litigation and dispute resolution

Accreditations & memberships: 

  • Bachelor of Arts (University of Melbourne)
  • Juris Doctor (Melbourne Law School)
  • Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice (College of Law Victoria)
Vanda Sharma
Conveyancing Clerk

Vanda Sharma

About: 

Vanda joined the firm in July 2012, bringing a solid skill set in the property law area. 

With over 15 years of experience in property law, Vanda strives to be a reliable employee who delivers professional solutions utilising interpersonal skills, excellent time management and problem-solving skills. She particularly enjoys large subdivision matters. 

Vanda offers excellent communication, long-standing client relations and practical judgment, thriving under pressure and enjoying the challenge of meeting deadlines. She loves feeling that sense of satisfaction when a file is completed successfully.

Expertise: 

  • Commercial
  • Off-the-plan and subdivision transactions 
  • Property law
  • Residential