Find the Lawyer that best suits your needs.
Our team
DIRECTOR
Kate Freshwater
Kate is our Principal Lawyer and started the practice in 2017, after several years in private practice both in Melbourne and Echuca.
In 2018, Kate was accredited by the Law Institute of Victoria as a Criminal Law Specialist. She holds a Bachelor of Laws from Monash University, a Bachelor of Arts (Criminology and Political Science) from the University of Melbourne and has more than 20 years’ experience in the legal industry. Kate is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Victoria and High Court of Australia.
Whilst Kate is our resident criminal law expert, she also acts in complex family law matters with a particular interest in property settlements. Kate regularly appears for clients in Courts throughout Victoria and New South Wales in criminal matters and in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia in family law matters. During her career, Kate has developed strong relationships with respected criminal and family law barristers and forensic experts, and regularly instructs counsel in complex matters in the higher Courts.
Originally from country NSW, Kate brings a no-nonsense pragmatism to her role as your lawyer. Kate sits on the Regional Lawyers Reference Group of the Law Institute of Victoria and is also a member of the Criminal Law Section of the Law Institute of Victoria.
In her spare time, Kate enjoys spending time with family and friends and practising her negotiating skills on her two sons.
ASSOCIATE
Maddie French
Maddie has worked with Kate since 2018. She holds a Bachelor of Laws, a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and a Master of Applied Law, specialising in Family Law.
Maddie practices predominantly in criminal and family law, appearing regularly in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria and Local Court of New South Wales. She also appears in cases involving Family Violence and Personal Safety Intervention Orders and instructs Counsel in the County Court of Victoria and the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia. Maddie has been admitted to practice as an Australian Legal Practitioner in the Supreme Court of Victoria and in the High Court of Australia.
Maddie grew up in both Sydney and northern New South Wales and has a down-to-earth manner and approachable nature. She prides herself on keeping clients informed at each stage of their matter, understanding that engaging a lawyer can be a stressful and overwhelming time. Maddie enjoys working with clients to find the appropriate pathway to resolve their matters, displaying empathy, kindness and providing clear and practical advice along the way.
Outside of work, Maddie enjoys gardening and spending quality time with her friends and family.
LAWYER
Zoe Clarke
Zoe holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours), a Bachelor of Criminology and a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice. Zoe is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Victoria, and in the High Court of Australia.
Zoe practices in criminal and family law and also acts for clients in intervention order disputes, regularly appearing in the Magistrates’ Court of Victoria and Local Court of New South Wales.
Zoe is calm and considered. Zoe carefully analyses a client’s case, while listening to what’s important to them, to find the best pathway through their legal issue.
Outside of work, Zoe enjoys travelling and spending time with her family and friends.
LEGAL ASSISTANTS
Kelly Robison
Kelly holds an Associate Degree in Law (Paralegal Studies). She has worked extensively within the criminal justice for the past twenty years, mainly in the New South Wales Local and District Courts.
Kelly is the first point of contact with our clients and she enjoys being able to get to know our clients and assist them to navigate through whatever legal issue they may have.
She has a particular interest in criminal law and has undertaken a variety of different roles in that area for many years.
Outside of work, Kelly loves to spend time with her animals or go bike riding. She also regularly fosters cats and kittens from a local animal shelter and is very passionate about animal welfare.
Olivia Reilly
Olivia holds a Bachelor of Business, majoring in marketing and management. Further to this, she is now pursuing a Bachelor of Laws, with a keen interest in family law.
Olivia supports our legal team by providing administrative support, client relations and file management. With a compassionate approach, Olivia strives to build strong client relationships, ensuring they feel supported at all times by our firm.
Outside of work, Olivia loves to travel and spend valuable time with her family and pets.