I am driven by providing a client with the clarity and certainty that they have been lacking. Developing a strategy and executing it whilst remaining nimble and achieving a strong commercial outcome – that is my ‘win’
Melissa has practised exclusively in commercial litigation and building and construction disputes on the Gold Coast since 2009. Throughout her extensive career, she has been instrumental in securing remarkable outcomes for her clients across a wide range of matters, including property disputes, business and partnership conflicts, building and construction litigation, and body corporate and community management disputes.
Melissa represents some of South-East Queensland’s most prominent builders and has been involved in landmark projects across the Gold Coast and beyond, contributing to the fabric of construction, development, and housing in the community. Her experience spans from resolving minor debt claims to multimillion-dollar Supreme Court litigation, including the enforcement of complex judgments within and outside of Australia after successful hearings.
Melissa serves as a committee member for the Housing Industry Association (HIA) Gold Coast and Northern Rivers, where she continues to make meaningful contributions to the building and construction industry.
A born and bred Gold Coaster, Melissa graduated from Bond University with Honours and has developed strong professional ties across the region. She is deeply embedded in the Gold Coast business community. As an admitted solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and the High Court of Australia, Melissa has spent her career in highly specialised commercial litigation practices, delivering no-nonsense, results-focused advice. Her approach ensures her clients’ objectives are front and centre at every stage of the process, no matter how complex the matter.
Her passion for female leadership and supporting women in business and the law has seen her recognised as a finalist in the 2024 Gold Coast Women of the Year Awards.
When she’s not advocating for clients, Melissa is balancing life as a mother of three. Melissa enjoys weekends on the boat with her young family, indulging in interior design, cooking, and reading. An avid golfer, Melissa finds much joy on the golf course, embracing the challenge and camaraderie the sport offers along with some fresh air.
COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Melissa’s commitment to the community is reflected in her long-standing involvement in initiatives that foster professional growth and engagement.
Melissa is actively involved in the All Saints Anglican School community, serving on the Parents and Friends (P&F) Committee. Her involvement reflects her deep appreciation for the education and values instilled during her own time at the school. Melissa is passionate about giving back to the institution that shaped her personal and professional journey, contributing her skills and leadership to help enhance the experience for current students and their families.
Between 2011 and 2018, she served as Vice President and Secretary of Young Professionals Gold Coast (YPGC) a not-for-profit organisation focused on shaping the city’s corporate culture and advancing career development for emerging talent. In this role, Melissa was pivotal in engaging the city’s young professionals to drive positive change across the region.
She has also contributed to the Queensland Law Society’s Early Career Lawyers sub-committee and authored articles for the QLS ‘Proctor’ publication. Melissa has held a committee role with the Gold Coast chapter of Women of Influence, reinforcing her dedication to empowering women in leadership.
With a passion for mentorship and community, Melissa continues to support the next generation of professionals while championing equality and leadership in the legal and business sectors.
Recent matter involvement
- Acted for an individual client and owner of a large rural residential property in a dispute concerning the proposed joint venture development of land, including complex issues arising between the parties over trusts, loan accounts and the dissolution of the relationship between the parties. This resulted in a successful outcome after a trial of the dispute in the Supreme Court of Queensland, including a significant award for costs.
- Acted for a large national construction company in a dispute with a subcontractor in breach of material terms for the failure to supply goods in accordance with the subcontract. Melissa was required to negotiate with the subcontractor and international suppliers of the materials, resulting in a well-considered claim for liquidated damages against the subcontractor, whilst ensuring that the client was able to secure supply of materials to site, significantly minimising the risk to the client of liquidated damages under the head contract and enabling completion of the project by practical completion.
- Acted for two minor children in successfully securing provision (at an early stage, during mediation and before any Court hearings) from their deceased father’s estate in circumstances where they were inadequately provided for under the will.
- Acted for an individual Applicant in the Supreme Court seeking urgent relief for the removal of a caveat that had been lodged by a large, multi-million dollar construction company and successfully recovering costs on an indemnity basis.
- Acted for a registered Migration Agent in a successful application to overturn the decision of the Department of Home Affairs to cancel or suspend his migration agent’s licence in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal, including a subsequent appeal of the decision of the AAT in the Federal Court of Australia.
- Acted for Plaintiffs in large Supreme Court matter for professional negligence against an accountancy and tax advisory firm.
- Acted for a national steel supplier on a large Government infrastructure project in New South Wales, successfully negotiating an increase in price under the subcontract enabling the client to make the contract a profitable engagement.
- Acted for partners of a medical practice in the dissolution of a partnership in Supreme Court of Queensland proceedings which were successfully mediated, resulting in a commercial and practical outcome for the partners.
- Acted for one of the most well-known international social media influencers in urgent defamation action against a former de-facto partner who had published extremely damaging and false content concerning the influencer’s business interests and personal reputation, successfully securing undertakings and the removal of defamatory content from all social media and online platforms.
- Acted for a unit owner in a boutique luxury community titles scheme at Hamilton Island, in a dispute pertaining to unauthorised works on common property and various breaches of applicable Body Corporate legislation.
- Acted for a defendant franchisor in District Court proceedings filed by a franchisee relating to the use of advertising and marketing funds.
- Acted for a national finance factoring client in relation to an insolvent customer and successfully secured urgent freezing orders from the Supreme Court of Queensland over plant and equipment that had been transferred to related companies and secured the guarantor’s assets, resulting in a significant net return to the client.
Qualifications and Memberships
- Bachelor of Laws (Hons)
- Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
- Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland
- Solicitor of the High Court of Australia
- Member of the Queensland Law Society