People

The commercial & criminal litigation department at Madison Branson Lawyers is testament to the superior service provided to Madison Branson Lawyers’ clients, and the firm’s high calibre of the lawyers that it demands.

A dynamic commercial and criminal litigator in Australia’s State and Federal jurisdictions, as well as a skilled and tactful negotiator, Simon is credited for his commercially sensible and intelligent approach to his clients’ matters.

Through his work acting for, and providing complex legal advice to, major banks, manufacturers, individuals, SMEs and a broad range of corporations including ASX listed companies, Simon has developed his practice, and the department of the firm, extensively in a number of legal disciplines including, but not limited to:

• proceeds of crime litigation under the Commonwealth regime, the Proceeds of Crime Act 2002 (Cth), and the State regime in Victoria, the Confiscation Act 1997 (Vic);
• personal and corporate insolvency and reconstruction;
• enforcement of securities, mortgages and charges;
• shareholders’ disputes and oppression actions under the Corporations Act 2001 (Cth);
• representing clients examined before the Australian Securities & Investments Commissions, in civil penalty proceedings, and advising in relation to compliance with notices served under the Australian Securities & Investments Commission Act 2001 (Cth);
• domestic and commercial building and construction disputes involving matters concerning the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 and the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002;
• trust disputes including obtaining access to trust documents;
• deceased estates;
• international trade disputes including international arbitration;
• criminal matters involving summary and indictable offences, particularly white-collar crime involving insider trading and conspiracies to defraud the Commonwealth.

James is a Senior Associate at Madison Branson Lawyers, and has more than 15 years’ experience in the industry.
Throughout his career, particularly as a family lawyer, James has built a solid reputation for providing diligent and honest advice to individuals and families. He provides clients with realistic and balanced legal advice and he assists them with understanding the relevant legal issues in their matter.
James has extensive experience in parenting matters, property-related matters, such as the division of assets and superannuation, and in complex cases involving self-managed superannuation funds, trusts and transfers of company ownership.

James is dedicated to supporting Madison Branson Lawyers in achieving its goal of becoming industry leaders in family law, and to enable Madison Branson Lawyers to achieve the most desirable outcomes for its clients.

James’ tenure as a solicitor, and as an Independent Children's Lawyer, has seen him develop into an expert in matters concerning the Commonwealth regime, the Family Law Act 1975.

Attention to detail, and an excellence in negotiating is a key focus for James to ensure that Madison Branson Lawyers' clients receive the highest level of professionalism and quality of work in their matters.

Most importantly, James is a family man and so he understands the vital importance for clients of maintaining a significant relationship with their children wherever possible. He also strives to obtain the most favourable property settlements possible for clients.

Phoebe joined Madison Branson Lawyers as an Associate in 2016.  With a background in commercial law, Phoebe now practises predominantly in children’s and family law matters. 

Prior to joining Madison Branson Lawyers, Phoebe was a solicitor advocate in the Child Protection Litigation Office of the Department of Health and Human Services. In that role, Phoebe gained extensive experience as a solicitor advocate, appearing in Victorian courts in a range of applications concerning parenting and child welfare issues. Phoebe also has significant experience in alternative dispute resolution, having regularly attended Court-convened conciliation conferences. Phoebe has particular expertise in assisting vulnerable clients with parenting, child welfare and family violence issues.  She understands the sensitivity of parenting disputes and the impact that such disputes can have on children.

Phoebe also has experience in commercial law, having commenced her legal career as a solicitor at Minter Ellison Lawyers in 2003. Whilst at Minter Ellison Lawyers, she practised in commercial litigation and project and corporate finance. Phoebe has experience in contractual and property related matters and is able to apply that experience to family disputes.
Phoebe approaches her work with professionalism and empathy. She is committed to providing responsive and honest advice to clients in a timely manner, whether that be in relation to children’s, parenting or property matters. Whilst striving to maximise her clients’ outcomes through litigation, she embraces the benefits of alternative dispute resolution and the possibility of facilitating negotiated outcomes without protracted litigation.

Her commercial background, in conjunction with her experience assisting families in high conflict situations, places Phoebe in an excellent position to achieve clients’ objectives in children’s and family law disputes.

Harbani joined Madison Branson Lawyers as a Solicitor in 2014.

Harbani specialises in the area of property-related transactions, commercial and retail leases, corporate structures, and provides high-level advice within the legislative framework of the Transfer of Land Act 1958, Property Law Act 1958 and Duties Act 2000.
Harbani delivers a comprehensive range of property-related legal services for developers, public and private companies, landlords, property fund managers, self-managed superannuation funds, seasoned investors, as well as first home buyers.
Harbani has assisted clients with multi-million dollar acquisitions and disposals and proved herself to be a trusted adviser to many mid-tier to large entities. Her technical capability and transaction experience is second to none.
She continues to provide ongoing legal counsel to many large corporations, including advising in respect of the Australian Securities & Investment Commission’s complex regulatory requirements, and liaising with various stakeholders.
Harbani’s expertise include:

• Dealings with Foreign Investment Review Board approvals and regulations to enable property acquisitions by international residents;
• Complex superannuation acquisitions, particularly real assets, advising on related duty exemptions and limited recourse borrowing transactions;
• Multi-staged subdivisions, off-the-plan developments including master planned communities for apartments and townhouses;
• Acquisitions and disposals of major commercial real assets;
• Commercial, industrial and retail leasing including preparing and negotiating lease and disclosure documentation (including agreements for lease, sale and leaseback arrangements, subleases, assignments, variations, surrenders and renewals);
• Contract negotiations and trust formations;
• Sales and purchases of business;
• Joint venture structuring, subdivision and owners’ corporation matters;
• Hotel and resort acquisitions and divestments; and
• Property and commercial disputes and representing clients in the Supreme Court of Victoria and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal for leasing disputes pursuant to the Retail Leases Act 2003 and Residential Tenancies Act 1997, and injunctive relief.

Harbani has previously volunteered for several not-for-profit organisations and has a strong interest in this area.