Adrian J. Ryan SC

Phil Colman – Principal, Dispute Resolution & Litigation With over 40 years’ experience as a commercial litigation lawyer, Phil Colman is a Principal at MST Lawyers, where he leads the Dispute Resolution and Litigation team and serves on the firm’s Executive Committee. An Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation since 1993 and a Nationally Accredited Mediator, Phil is widely recognised for his strategic, practical advice and his ability to guide clients through com...

Bonnie Phillips is an Accredited Family Law Specialist with the Law Institute of Victoria and has been recognised in Best Lawyers and as a Preeminent Family & Divorce Lawyer in Regional Victoria in the 2025 Doyle’s Guide. Bonnie is a Director and Principal of Coulter Legal and acts for clients in all aspects of Family Law, ranging from divorce and intricate parenting matters, through to complex and multifaceted financial matters, including multi-party international disputes. Bonnie ...

Josh has extensive experience practising in the area of construction and major projects. He has advised on a wide variety of infrastructure developments in the areas of transport, hospitals, schools, energy and utilities, residential, and government. Josh’s areas of expertise include advising on risk mitigation strategies for project delivery, acting on behalf of parties in dispute, construction, engineering and infrastructure, commercial law (including contract, acquisitions, public/pr...

Ana Forster is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Ana, who practices law in Melbourne, Australia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Ana is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jane has been a practising solicitor for over 20 years specialising in Real Estate law with a focus on leasing in the commercial, retail, industrial, education and government sectors in all Australian jurisdictions. Jane has a focus on corporate occupier work, acting for commercial tenants in major lease transactions including head office relocations, purpose built industrial premises, distribution centres and data centres. Jane has also managed high volume lease portfolios for retail tenants...

Matt McDonald is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Litigation. Matt, who practices law in Melbourne, Australia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matt is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Emily Payne is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation. Emily, who practices law in Melbourne, Australia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Emily is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Over the last 40 years Lou has advised various large property development companies, government bodies and overseas investors in relation to all facets of property law. Such advice has encompassed sales, acquisition, structuring, subdivision, titling, planning and development, GST, stamp duty and financing. Lou’s practice has a significant focus on all aspects of ‘off the plan’ sales and the preparation of related contracts. Throughout his career Lou has been involved in and...

Catherine Debreceny is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Catherine, who practices law in Melbourne, Australia, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Catherine is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Kathy Dalton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labour and Employment Law and Occupational Health and Safety Law. Kathy, who practices law in Melbourne, Australia, has been recognized since 2014. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kathy is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.