Peter Coats

Jason commenced employment with Hall and Wilcox in January 2009 and was appointed as a Partner on 1 January 2016. Jason acts for WorkSafe Victoria and its agents and employers. He is the relationship partner and manages lawyers acting on behalf of the TAC at the firm. Jason’s practice focuses on personal injury litigation management and administrative law. He predominantly manages Mildura and Bendigo common law and statutory benefits claims brought pursuant to the Accident Compensation ...

Peter has more than 25 years experience in insurance and risk management, practising primarily on behalf of insurers, self insurers, underwriting agencies and claims managers in Victoria, Queensland and the United Kingdom. He has advised in respect of all aspects of insurer portfolios including: Interpreting policies and updating policy wordings to meet drafting deficiencies and changed underwriting circumstances; Advising on the effect and reach of legislative provisions, including the Insur...

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.

Iona Goodwin is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labour and Employment Law. Iona, 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 Iona is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Lisa has over 25 years’ experience across all types of property developments and transactions including acquisitions, disposals and legal due diligence. Lisa acts for various Victorian Government departments and statutory authorities, listed and unlisted corporations and superannuation funds. She is also well-versed in transacting Crown land through her work with the Victorian Government. Lisa has extensive experience in residential, mixed use and commercial developments, including acqu...

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.

One of Australia’s leading estate planning lawyers, Bernie has over 40 years’ experience advising individuals, family groups and businesses on all aspects of estate and business succession. Often acting as advisor to prominent families, Bernie’s knowledge of family trusts, superannuation and estate and elder law enables him to provide clear, practical solutions for clients with complex family and asset structures. He is often asked to provide a second opinion on existing suc...

Meghan Cahill is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Alternative Dispute Resolution and Construction / Infrastructure Law. Meghan, who practices law in Melbourne, Australia, has been recognized since 2010. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Meghan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Howard has more than 30 years’ commercial dispute experience. He has an active practice in complex commercial litigation and in significant white collar criminal investigations and prosecutions involving a wide range of commercial criminal matters, regulatory investigations and large scale inquiries, including Royal Commissions and Commissions of Inquiry. Howard has been involved in nine Royal Commissions and Commission of Inquiry and has lead his team in acting for four parties involve...

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...