Melita Cottrell

Accredited Criminal Law Specialist | Co-Founder of Doogue + George Defence Lawyers Bill Doogue is a distinguished criminal defence lawyer based in Melbourne, Australia, with over 30 years of experience in the legal profession. Admitted to practice in 1989, he has been an Accredited Criminal Law Specialist since 1998 and was recognised as one of Australia's five 'pre-eminent criminal lawyers' by Doyle’s Guide in 2024 .​ As a co-founder of Doogue + George Defence Lawyers, Bill leads a fir...

Elaine is a leading landowner advocate and environment and climate lawyer with over 18 years post admission practice experience. She has extensive experience advising and representing landowners and communities in relation to disputes with the resources industry, and on the development of legal strategies for a safe climate and healthy environment. Elaine works in pursuit of a rapid and just transition to a low carbon economy, where the rights and interests of people and nature are upheld.

Nicholas is a highly experienced lawyer who has concentrated on insurance law, particularly claims under the NSW statutory classes of insurance, for more than 20 years. He is the service line leader for our NSW workers' compensation practice. Nicholas advises insurers on the management of claims and liability disputes and helps them to develop and implement strategies to respond to these issues. He regularly appears in the NSW Workers Compensation Commission, District Court and Supreme Courts...

Darren Bick is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Energy Law. Darren, who practices law in Sydney, Australia, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Darren is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Scott has acted on behalf of clients who have suffered injury in New South Wales since 1988. Scott was admitted as a Solicitor in 1992 and became a partner of the practice in 1997. He was accredited by the Law Society of New South Wales as a Personal Injury Law Specialist in 1996 and continues to. Since his admission as a solicitor in 1992, Scott has worked for BPC, and before then with its predecessor, Flannery Mura & Costello. Scott has been appointed by the State Insurance Regulatory A...

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

Lindsay Taylor is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Planning and Environmental Law. Lindsay, who practices law in Sydney, Australia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lindsay is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

As an experienced commercial lawyer, Robert has significant experience in providing immigration and other legal advice and visa services to Australian and multinational companies in sectors such as financial services, mining and resources (including off-shore oil and gas), information technology and telecommunications, retail, science and engineering, and health. Robert served as the firm’s Regional Managing Partner for Asia Pacific from 2011 to 2016 and Managing Partner of the Australi...

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

Simon has practised as a barrister in Sydney since 2010 and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2024. He had previously worked in New York, taught at the University of Sydney Law School, and been an associate at the High Court of Australia. Simon’s practice includes commercial and corporate law, equity, insurance, professional indemnity, public law and trade practices. He has appeared in representative proceedings (for applicants and respondents), commissions of inquiry (as counsel assistin...