Craig Smith SC

Rick joined Carina Ford Lawyers in 2005 having previously worked as a commercial litigation lawyer at Middletons Lawyers, Melbourne (now K&L Gates). He is a practicing lawyer, and also an LIV Accredited Immigration Law Specialist. Rick has extensive experience with all areas of migration law, including skilled migration, business migration (in particular TSS, ENS and RSMS applications), complex appeals and family migration.He is a regular presenter of migration law Continuing Professional...

James holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and a Masters of Law. James has practiced exclusively in family law since admission. He is experienced in all aspects of family law including complex property matters, contested parenting matters, Financial Agreements, Child Support matters, same-sex/LGBITQ matters, surrogacy and alternative conception procedures and Intervention Order matters. James prides himself on providing practical and cost-effective advice to ensure t...

Elizabeth (Liz) specialises in all aspects of trade mark protection including selecting, searching, applying for and prosecuting trade mark applications (local and international). Liz has an extensive opposition and non-use practice and has exceptional knowledge and expertise in running opposition matters through to Hearing in the Trade Marks Office. Liz started the firm working in Davies Collison Cave Law Pty Ltd in 2000, working in all areas of IP litigation for 10 years before moving to th...

Katherine’s primary expertise is in corporate insolvency, the PPSA, contractual disputes, misleading and deceptive conduct, and building and construction litigation in an insolvency context. Katherine partners closely with her clients to achieve their best strategic outcome efficiently and effectively. She proactively seeks an early favourable outcome. Where this is not available, emphasis on commerciality and strategic decision-making drive her management of formal disputes. Katherine&...

Catie is a projects and infrastructure lawyer with over 25 years’ experience, specialising in energy, transport and infrastructure projects. She has advised and acted for both the public and private sector on large construction, procurement and outsourcing projects, including projects delivered as public private partnerships. Catie also has considerable experience in a broad range of areas including commercial contracts, logistics and supply contracts, legal advisory, property, competit...

Emma is a member of the Thomson Geer Property Group. Over the past twenty years in practice she has acquired substantial property experience. Emma has been involved in reviewing and drafting documentation for numerous landlords and tenants in large commercial leasing and property transactions. She has also been involved in substantial property due diligence for both buyers and sellers of properties and in corporate mergers and acquisitions. Recent experience includes: Acting for GeelongPort i...

Ian is a Principal in the Trade Mark Group. His areas of practice encompass all aspects of trade mark searching and clearance for use, registration, oppositions and advice in relation to trade mark enforcement internationally. He has handled trade mark matters in most countries worldwide, including directly before the Australian, United Kingdom, European Community Trade Mark, New Zealand and Pacific Island Trade Marks Offices. Ian represents both local and international clients with business ...

Gavin Macrae is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law. Gavin, 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 Gavin is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Ed’s practice covers private mergers & acquisitions (both local and international), with particular specialism in mid-market deals in Australia, distressed M&A and inbound international transactions. Ed has significant experience running large projects including company establishment, corporate restructures and succession for large family groups. Ed has advised on over 200 M&A transactions including acting for buyers and sellers across a range of sectors in share sales, busi...

Ron principally consults on Commonwealth and State tax laws, tax dispute resolution and compliance enforcement. Ron specialises in complex trusts and trust disputes, succession and asset protection, business and investment structuring and tax sensitive commercial and property transactions for high wealth families, privately own businesses and small to medium enterprises. He is a member of the Law institute of Victoria, the Law society of Tasmania and The Tax Institute. Ron is a Chartered Tax ...