Lawyer Profile

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Nick Theofilakos

Partner

E: ntheofilakos@frenkels.com.au Nick is one of the two founding partners of Frenkel Partners and experienced in business, having set up and run a café whilst studying for his law degree. Nick was admitted in March 1994, and now practices predominately in the areas of Business Law and Litigation, with a particular interest in Insolvency.

Nick has strong client, community and staff relationships.

Nick likes:

Fatherhood; Cuban cigars; Organised and functional systems

Nick dislikes:

Pineapple on pizza; Shopping

Practice Areas:

Mark Marcou

Partner

E: mmarcou@frenkels.com.au Mark came to Frenkel Partners in February 2005 as an articled clerk, having enjoyed a previous career as a partner in an accounting practice, and was admitted in March 2006. It's no surprise Mark now works on a mix of Business Law and Litigation, which enables him to use and build on past experience whilst enjoying a variety of tasks and challenges.

Mark is committed to furthering the business objectives of his clients, and negotiating sensible outcomes.

Mark likes:

Single malt whisky; Heathcote shiraz; Rare rib-eye steaks; Jazz and opera; Dark chocolate

Mark dislikes:

Having to think about things he does not like.

Practice Areas:

Joanna Goldsmith

Partner

E: jgoldsmith@frenkels.com.au Joanna commenced at Frenkel Partners in November 2006 practicing in Business Law. She has a particular interest in business transaction work and leasing, which give her exposure to a diversity of law and a wide community.

Prior to her legal career, Joanna worked in Human Resource Management and Hospitality, and brings all of her people and business skills to bear on her work at Frenkel Partners.

Joanna likes:

Travel; Contemporary art; Good food and wine

Joanna dislikes:

Horror films; Cruelty to animals

Practice Areas:

Amanda Mond

Partner

E: amond@frenkels.com.au Amanda was admitted in December 2009 and joined Frenkel Partners in February 2010 with a background in commerce, working in bookkeeping and accounts whilst studying her law degree. Since joining the firm, she has been snapped up by the Property team and welcomes the opportunity to exercise her creativity and problem solving skills in mapping out transactions and planning outcomes for clients.

Amanda also works with the Commercial Law team.

Amanda likes:

Making jewellery, Cadbury chocolate (specifically Top Deck), Central heating

Amanda dislikes:

When chocolate goes to waste, Low fat milk, Buying something the day before it goes on sale

Practice Areas:

Anna Alevizopoulos

Partner

E: aalevizopoulos@frenkels.com.au Anna commenced as a litigator with Frenkel Partners in September 2004, and practices predominantly in Insolvency and Litigation. She enjoys the challenge of her work and achieving commercially sensible decisions for her clients.

Anna was admitted to practice in October 2003.

Anna likes:

Mosswood wine; Travelling; Fine foods

Anna dislikes:

Television; War; Disliking

Practice Areas:

Claudia Baskett

Partner

E: cbaskett@frenkels.com.au With over 20 years of legal experience Claudia values being approachable, commercial and knowledgeable.

Her practice focuses on Insolvency Law and the Personal Property Securities Act (PPSA). Claudia has extensive experience in both fields and enjoys the technical complexity of the work and helping her clients’ to achieve their goals.

Claudia has been a part of Frenkel Partners since 2009 and has been a full member of the Australian Restructuring Insolvency and Turnaround Association (ARITA) since 2005.

Claudia likes:

Spending time with family; Getting lost in a good book; Genuine laughter

Claudia dislikes:

Closed minded people; Late trains; Horror movies

Practice Areas:

Maria Kerhoulas

Partner

E: mkerhoulas@frenkels.com.au Maria joined Frenkel Partners in February 2018 and has a wealth of experience in dispute resolution and litigation having practiced for over 18 years and having worked for a variety of clients during this time including publicly listed companies, private companies, statutory authorities, insurers and individuals.

Maria acts in a wide range of disputes including contractual and commercial disputes, insolvency, professional negligence, wills and estates, debt recovery and enforcement, administrative and competition and consumer law. Maria also acts in the area of private prosecutions and since 2004 has been, and continues to be, involved in prosecuting various statutory criminal offences for a private prosecution body, including advising in relation to investigations and the issuing of charges and acting in contested prosecutions, amongst other things.

Maria understands clients and their needs and aims to deal with their issues as pragmatically, efficiently and expeditiously as possible with the clients' best interests at the heart of everything she does.

Maria likes:

Music of all genres, anything from the 80s, the 3 Gs (Good company, Good coffee, Good wine)

Maria dislikes:

Bad coffee, bad manners, bad grammar

Practice Areas:

Ben Frenkel

Senior Consultant

E: bfrenkel@frenkels.com.au Ben was one of the two founding partners of Frenkel Partners and has a long history of practice in Commercial Property, Wills and Probate. Whilst serendipity played a large part in his legal career, Ben also believes in the necessity of bringing practical good sense to the drafting of documents and enjoys the human interest of the Probate process.

Ben celebrated 50 years of membership of the LIV in 2010

Ben likes:

Conciseness, Art, Music (particularly Wagner), Tennis

Ben dislikes:

Bureaucracy, Tunnel vision, Overkill

Practice Areas:

Estate Planning

Andrew Fox

Special Counsel

E: afox@frenkels.com.au Andrew was admitted to practice in April 1978 and commenced with Frenkel Partners in January 2014 as Special Counsel. While Andrew’s practice revolves around commercial litigation and insolvency, he has a keen interest in corporate insolvency issues. With extensive experience in banking / finance litigation, and related securities law, Andrew has a unique insight into the resolution of commercial disputes.

Andrew particularly enjoys the interaction between legal and commercial issues, with a view to reaching the right balance between those issues and working to achieve the strategic outcome required by clients.

Andrew likes:

Football, cricket, sailing, music

Andrew dislikes:

Crowded trams, the Bombers downward spiral, country & western music

Practice Areas:

Arthur Bourandanis

Special Counsel

E: abourandanis@frenkels.com.au 2015 is a celebratory year for Arthur. He has now enjoyed 30 years in commercial practice, more particularly property, leases and small business issues. Arthur’s main objective is to provide positive time and cost efficient practice solutions to his clients.
Arthur has a very special interest in providing positive energy and focus to patients dealing with cancer. He is 10 years in remission from leukaemia and interacts with a number of organisations such as the Leukaemia Foundation, Cancer Council and AGWS, volunteering and speaking on their behalf as requested.

Arthur likes:

Travel (but not during AFL/Soccer finals), soul R & B Motown music and Seinfeld/Get Smart re-runs

Arthur dislikes:

Bad coffee, any water activity where his feet don’t touch the ground, negativity

Practice Areas:

Enio Minisini

Special Counsel

E: eminisini@frenkels.com.au Enio was admitted to practice in 1991 and has been with Frenkel Partners since April 2016 as Special Counsel, having previously been a partner at another Melbourne legal firm. His practice generally centres on corporate and commercial, real property and private client matters. Enio is committed to partnering clients to achieve their aims and outcomes with efficient and reliable advice.

Enio likes:

Cats; Assisi; Fresh basil; Team players

Enio dislikes:

'#IStandWith' movements; Alarmists, Tennis brats

Practice Areas:

John Edgar

Special Counsel

E: jedgar@frenkels.com.au John commenced with Frenkel Partners in April 2016, having been a partner of another commercial law firm for over 25 years prior to joining Frenkel Partners. John has a broad range of commercial litigation knowledge that covers corporate/partnerships, insolvency, employment, insurance & sport areas and he enjoys resolving issues and engaging in the process of alternative dispute resolution or if required, going to court.

John was admitted to practice in 1984.

John likes:

Cycling; Quinces; Ice hockey

John dislikes:

Mosquitoes; Cauliflower; North wind

Practice Areas:

John Lancefield

Special Counsel

E: jlancefield@frenkels.com.au John was admitted to practice in March 1994 and commenced at Frenkel Partners in February 2012. John practices in many areas such as commercial litigation, insolvency, corporations law, product distribution, product liability, trade practices and competition law.

He has a personal interest in issues relating to product distribution including trade practices and competition laws and enjoys understanding a client's business and the market it works in as well as many different areas of commercial law.

John likes:

Good food; Cycling; Coffee

John dislikes:

Reality TV; Poor drivers; Shopping

Practice Areas:

Michael Bromby

Special Counsel

E: mbromby@frenkels.com.au Michael joined Frenkel Partners in July 2011 as Special Counsel, practising predominantly in Commercial Law and Commercial Property, with an emphasis towards advising clients on business related strategies and solutions. Michael’s practice has evolved over time. He has a diverse client base – international and national companies, local government, long standing family businesses and high wealth individuals – which offers unique challenges and a huge variety in the nature of work.

Michael was admitted to practice in 1978. Prior to studying law, he studied industrial design at RMIT. Post admission, in addition to practising as a solicitor, Michael lectured part-time in Business Law for 10 years at Victoria College, Prahran (now part of Deakin University).

Michael likes:

Dogs, 7 card stud, Nina Simone

Michael dislikes:

The deadly combination of arrogance and ignorance, Bland food, Bungee jumping

Practice Areas:

Bill Lambros

Senior Associate

E: blambros@frenkels.com.au Bill commenced at Frenkel Partners in May 2009 and practices predominantly in Litigation and Insolvency. He also has extensive experience in Administrative Law, Crime and Appeal work, but most enjoys developing strategies to assist clients to broker solutions to disputes, turning negatives to positives wherever possible.

Bill was admitted to practice in 1994 and worked for two years after his admission as a judge's associate in the County Court.

Bill likes:

The Beatles; Haighs chocolate; Having a laugh with friends and family

Bill dislikes:

Getting stuck in traffic; Scrambled eggs

Practice Areas:

Diana Szilagyi

Senior Associate

E: dszilagyi@frenkels.com.au After being admitted to practice in November 2007, Diana joined Frenkel Partners in October 2010. Prior to her admission as a lawyer she spent time in the Financial Assurance division of PriceWaterhouseCoopers.

At Frenkel Partners Diana practices predominantly in Business Law, but also provides advice in property transactions as well as litigious matters. She enjoys the diversity of work in her practice which brings her into contact with a broad range of clients and issues. A keen interest in dancing has her seeking out clients in the entertainment industry to assist them with all aspects of their businesses.

Diana likes:

Spending time with the people that are closest to me; Dancing; Chocolate and coffee

Diana dislikes:

Being bad at something I really want to be great at; Intolerance; Anchovies (except Ortiz anchovies)

Practice Areas:

Jayne Sandri

Senior Associate

E: jsandri@frenkels.com.au Jayne was admitted to practice in May 2012 and commenced with Frenkel Partners in April 2016. Jayne’s practice at Frenkel Partners includes both general commercial litigation and business law, dealing with litigious and non-litigious matters involving partnership agreements, banking, finance, bankruptcy and insolvency. With experience as a trainee lawyer and lawyer within boutique commercial firms in Melbourne, including in respect to litigious matters and commercial transactions, Jayne has a firm perspective into the resolution of commercial disputes.

Jayne enjoys the exposure to a variety of industries and working collaboratively with colleagues to achieve best possible legal and commercial outcomes for a diverse range of clients.

Jayne likes:

Keeping fit; Blueberries; Playdates with my nieces

Jayne dislikes:

Tardiness; Cycling uphill or in the rain; Waking up to an alarm

Practice Areas:

Krystelle Hsu

Senior Associate

E: khsu@frenkels.com.au Krystelle has been practising in the firm's commercial litigation and insolvency / bankruptcy team since 2012 with particular expertise in acting for a range of clients including insolvency practitioners, directors and both secured and unsecured creditors in corporate and personal insolvency matters. Krystelle also represents companies and individuals in relation to various commercial and civil disputes.

Krystelle regularly acts for clients in respect of matters involving Liquidator and Trustee recovery proceedings, including insolvent trading claims and voidable transaction claims under the Corporations Act 2001 and Bankruptcy Act 1966.

Krystelle strives to provide clients with strategic, practical and timely advice tailored specifically towards their needs in order to achieve the best possible commercial outcome for them.

Krystelle was admitted to practice in March 2007.

Krystelle likes:

Daylight savings, Tropical holidays, Vintage shopping

Krystelle dislikes:

Winter, Mussels, Spiders

Practice Areas:

Sarah McCullough

Senior Associate

E: smccullough@frenkels.com.au Sarah joined Frenkel Partners in May 2008 and practices predominantly in insolvency and commercial litigation. Prior to that Sarah worked as a judges associate in the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Sarah prides herself on providing clear, honest and accessible legal advice and representation to all her clients, and is committed to securing the best possible outcomes for them with particular attention to their strategic goals and the legal and commercial realities they operate in.

Sarah was admitted to legal practice in November 2004.

Sarah likes:

Family dinners; Black and white photography; European Holidays

Sarah dislikes:

Pre-mixed alcoholic drinks; Maraschino cherries

Practice Areas:

James Edgar

Senior Associate

E: james.edgar@frenkels.com.au James was admitted on 23 June 2015 and joined the practice in April, 2016. His predominant areas of practice are Litigation and Business law, with a personal interest lying in employment law matters and litigious matters which are document dense. James enjoys taking on complex matters (whether it be litigious or non-litigious) and being able to provide a simple and clear path to clients to resolve the matter.

James likes:

Sport (both playing and spectating); Traveling; Delicious Food and Wine

James dislikes:

Late trains; Paper cuts; Grumpy people

Practice Areas:

Julia Kantzos

Associate

E: jkantzos@frenkels.com.au Julia was admitted to practice in May 2014 and joined Frenkel Partners in 2018.

Julia’s practice at Frenkel Partners includes a variety of commercial and property related matters including but not limited to commercial and residential acquisitions and disposals, leasing, business and company related transactions and off the plan developments.

She enjoys keeping her practice diverse allowing her to continuously broaden her expertise and client base.

Julia likes:

Greek culture, wine and whisky, Steven Seagal

Julia dislikes:

Negative attitudes, anything that crawls (babies excepted), spicy food.

Practice Areas:

Sofija Celebic

Associate

E: scelebic@frenkels.com.au Sofija was admitted to practice in November 2014. She commenced her legal career working in the general counsel’s office of a global law firm where she dealt with the analysis and resolution of conflicts and the review of requests for proposals. She then expanded her experience and worked for a national law firm predominantly in the areas of commercial disputes and litigation and building and construction before joining Frenkel Partners in February 2018.

Sofija practices in the area of litigation and dispute resolution and has experience acting for a range of clients in diverse disputes. She provides strategic advice for the efficient resolution of corporate and commercial disputes and aims to deliver the best outcome for her clients.

Sofija likes:

Dessert, Photography, Music

Sofija dislikes:

Bad drivers, Horror movies, Negativity

Practice Areas:

Andrew Coughlin

Lawyer

E: acoughlin@frenkels.com.au Andrew joined Frenkel Partners as a Legal Research Clerk in December 2018 providing assistance to all areas of practice within the firm with a focus on litigation. He was admitted to practice and officially joined the firm as a lawyer in October 2019.

Andrew predominantly practices in litigation and dispute resolution. He enjoys learning about the businesses of the diverse mix of clients who engage the firm and playing an integral role in resolving their disputes and obtaining the best possible outcomes.

Andrew likes:

Exercise, podcasts, a beer in the company of friends

Andrew dislikes:

Flight delays, radio ads

Practice Areas:

Litigation

Biljana Stankovski

Lawyer

E: bstankovski@frenkels.com.au Biljana first joined Frenkel Partners as a Paralegal in March 2018 where she assisted and gained various experience among the different legal teams. She was admitted to practice in November 2018 and works predominately in Property, Leasing, Commercial and Estate Matters.

Biljana enjoys the diversity and challenges of work as well as achieving the best results for clients. She looks forward to expanding and developing in further areas of practice.

Biljana likes:

Reading, travelling, coffee, gelato

Biljana dislikes:

Radio advertisements, train delays, bad coffee

Practice Areas:

Elle Regester

Lawyer

E: eregester@frenkels.com.au Elle joined the firm in January 2018 as a Paralegal/Conveyancing Clerk before being admitted to practice in November 2019. Elle works in the Commercial and Property team and loves both off-the-plan development conveyancing and an array of commercial property leasing matters.

Elle is excited to expand her expertise and to work collaboratively with colleagues in providing an exceptional service to our clients.

Elle likes:

Pina coladas, fresh flowers, time spent with family and friends

Elle dislikes:

Getting caught in the rain, bad manners, reality TV

Practice Areas:

Laura Athanasiou

Lawyer

E: lathanasiou@frenkels.com.au Laura joined Frenkel Partners in March 2017 as a Trainee Lawyer and was admitted to practice in 2018.

Laura predominantly practices in commercial litigation and business law. Since joining Frenkel Partners, Laura has gained experience and assisted in a range of litigious matters issued in the Federal Court, Supreme Court, County Court, Magistrates’ Court and VCAT. Laura enjoys the fast pace of, and the attention to detail required for, litigation and always strives to achieve the best possible outcomes for her clients. Laura also has gained experience in leasing, conveyancing and commercial advice and looks forward to continuing to expand her practice further in the future.

Laura likes:

Seinfeld, Cheese and Travel

Laura dislikes:

Spiders, Coriander and Train Delays

Practice Areas:

Naim Bittar

Lawyer

E: nbittar@frenkels.com.au Naim first joined Frenkel Partners as a Paralegal in March 2011 where he assisted and gained experience for 3 years with the various legal teams. He had previously worked as a junior project manager at a construction company.

He returned in January 2016 as a trainee lawyer and was admitted as a lawyer in 2017. Naim enjoys the exposure to and learning about the way clients like to operate and applying this knowledge to his ensure clients get the best legal results. Naim’s predominant practices areas are litigation and insolvency and bankruptcy.

Naim likes:

Good food; Great Company; Exercise

Naim dislikes:

Crowded public transport; Tardiness; Capsicum

Practice Areas:

Sally Bakowski

Lawyer

E: sbakowski@frenkels.com.au In April 2016, Sally commenced at Frenkel Partners as a Trainee Lawyer. She was admitted to practice in June 2016, having spent many years gaining experience in Property law, Estate planning, Wills and Probates before commencing her law degree.

Sally enjoys the challenge that estate disputes bring, but mainly enjoys the challenge and satisfaction of achieving the best possible legal and commercial outcomes for clients in all her areas of practice. Sally looks forward to expanding and developing further areas of practice.

Sally likes:

Food and wine; Gym (to counteract the food and wine); people who make me laugh

Sally dislikes:

Lateness; Queues; Bananas

Practice Areas:

Julian Lu

Paralegal

E: jlu@frenkels.com.au Julian joined Frenkel Partners in September 2019 and works predominantly with the property team. He joins the firm having extensive experience in residential, off the plan and development property transactions.

Julian believes that one of the key aspects of his role is time management. When issues arise, he approaches them with the client’s best interest always in mind.

Julian likes:

Competitive individual sports, mechanical timepieces and naturally aspirated engines

Julian dislikes:

Poor etiquette, clutter and useless political debates

Practice Areas:

Sarah Leggett

Property Paralegal

E: sleggett@frenkels.com.au Sarah re-joined the firm in October 2019, working in the Commercial and Property Team. Sarah has extensive expertise in off the plan subdivision, residential and commercial property transactions as well as an array of property related matters. Sarah thrives on large subdivision matters and has a solid background of working with local and foreign off the plan developers and purchasers.

Sarah enjoys working with her clients to achieve a successful completion of a transaction.

Sarah likes:

Spending time with family, travelling; fine foods

Sarah dislikes:

Bad manners, crowded places, tardiness

Practice Areas:

Vanda Sharma

Conveyancing Clerk

E: vsharma@frenkels.com.au Vanda joined the firm in July 2012, bringing a solid skill set in residential, commercial, off the plan and subdivision transactions. Vanda particularly enjoys large subdivision matters. She enjoys this area of practice as she herself is a keen property investor.

Vanda thrives under pressure and enjoys the challenge of meeting deadlines. She loves feeling that sense of satisfaction when a file is completed successfully.

Vanda likes:

British humour, dancing, travelling, Sauvignon Blanc

Vanda dislikes:

Reckless driving, mornings, heights

Practice Areas:

Lawyer Profile

Nick Theofilakos

Partner

Mark Marcou

Partner

Joanna Goldsmith

Partner

Amanda Mond

Partner

Anna Alevizopoulos

Partner

Claudia Baskett

Partner

Maria Kerhoulas

Partner

Ben Frenkel

Senior Consultant

Andrew Fox

Special Counsel

Arthur Bourandanis

Special Counsel

Enio Minisini

Special Counsel

John Edgar

Special Counsel

John Lancefield

Special Counsel

Michael Bromby

Special Counsel

Bill Lambros

Senior Associate

Diana Szilagyi

Senior Associate

Jayne Sandri

Senior Associate

Krystelle Hsu

Senior Associate

Sarah McCullough

Senior Associate

James Edgar

Senior Associate

Julia Kantzos

Associate

Sofija Celebic

Associate

Andrew Coughlin

Lawyer

Biljana Stankovski

Lawyer

Elle Regester

Lawyer

Laura Athanasiou

Lawyer

Naim Bittar

Lawyer

Sally Bakowski

Lawyer

Julian Lu

Paralegal

Sarah Leggett

Property Paralegal

Vanda Sharma

Conveyancing Clerk

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