Patrick "Pat" Hawkins

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

Michael is a banking and finance Partner with extensive experience in major asset restructuring and insolvency transactions, and associated dispute resolution. Michael lives and works in Melbourne and Adelaide and has experience practising throughout Australia. With a principal focus on high-end insolvency work, Michael has particular expertise in restructuring including formal administrations and Deeds of Company Arrangements, informal workouts, securities enforcement and associated dispute ...

Michael’s practice focuses on tax disputes, capital gains tax, business sales and acquisitions and restructuring. He also acts in matters that deal with domestic income tax, tax compliance, tax training tax due diligence.

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

Chris’ major area of practice is intellectual property litigation. He has more than 30 years experience in patent, trade mark, design, copyright, trade practices and confidential information litigation on behalf of both applicants and respondents. He has also acted in patent and trade mark oppositions before IP Australia. Chris joined the firm in 1989, becoming a partner in 2001. Chris has successfully acted in a number of significant matters before State Courts and the Federal and High...

Ilona has more than 15 years’ experience with her practice focusing on both statutory and common law claims across both Victorian and Tasmanian workcover legislation. She has acted for both agent insured and self-insured clients that operate in a range of industries, including manufacturing, retail and banking. Ilona also has experience in acting for clients in the commonwealth compensation jurisdiction. With an approach that addresses each claim holistically, Ilona ensures that her cli...

Kim is a partner in the firm's Dispute Resolution & Litigation practice, with a particular focus on insolvency, complex commercial disputes, and class actions. In insolvency-related matters, she regularly acts on behalf of insolvency practitioners, advising on all matters arising in the administration or liquidation of the company and has conducted applications to Court for directions, undertaken liquidators’ examinations, prosecuted proceedings against directors, advisors and other...

Jonathan Cutler is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation and Product Liability Litigation. Jonathan, who practices law in Melbourne, Australia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jonathan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Rebecca is a Principal Lawyer and Co-Head of Family Law at KCL Law. With over 20 years' experience practising exclusively in family law, she has comprehensive knowledge of all aspects of family law. Rebecca’s practice in family law focuses on parenting, property and child support, and she acts for a broad range of clients, including many high-net-worth individuals. Rebecca’s experience includes, but is not limited to, having acted in relation to parenting disputes involving intern...

As Managing Director of Kain Lawyers, Michael is responsible for shaping and advancing the firm’s strategic priorities. Prior to his role as Managing Director, Michael held roles as Head of Growth and Head of Corporate. Michael is an experienced corporate lawyer who has advised some of Australia’s largest corporations and investment funds on their most complex and strategically critical transactions. His practice includes advising on mergers and acquisitions, capital raises, alter...