Expertise

Madeleine is a member of the firm’s commercial litigation and dispute resolution team and works on a broad range of matters including in consumer rights, contractual law and interpretation, property and lease disputes, and workplace relations and employment.

Since commencing at the firm Madeleine has worked on a broad range of matters from the Magistrates Court to Federal appellate cases and has conducted matters in the Supreme Court of Queensland and District Court of Western Australia. She is fast developing a reputation for her skills for digesting and processing facts in detailed and complex matters and distilling them into clear concepts to support strong, commercial advice to clients.

In addition to her experience in commercial practice, Madeleine also has experience in maritime law and wills and estates disputes.

Education

Madeleine holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) and a Bachelor of Arts from Monash University.

Experience

Recent matters involving Madeleine include:

• Assisted in defending the former managing director of a global multi-boutique asset management business for breach of directors’ duties brought in the Federal Court of Australia by a shareholder in the name of the company pursuant to an order granting derivative leave.
• Assisted in successfully bringing a stay application against an agribusiness participant in a Western Australia District Court proceeding.
• Negotiated a favourable settlement for one of Australia’s largest homeware and kitchenware retailers.
• Successfully defended a client against claims brought in the Supreme Court of Victoria for breach of warranties under a contract of sale for a childcare business – LEA Childcare Services v Development Learning Centre Rainbow Pty Ltd [2020] VSC 787.
• Assisted in successfully defending a client’s intellectual property rights in a Full Court of the Federal Court of Australia decision which confirmed that patent protection may be available for genetic technologies – Meat and Livestock Australia Limited v Branhaven LLC [2020] FCAFC 171.
• Provided detailed and complex advice to a prominent lobbyist of the Victorian Government.
• Successfully defended clients in an appeal proceeding in the Federal Court of Australia brought by the Commissioner of Taxation relating to unfair preference payments – Commissioner of Taxation v Yeo as Liquidator of Ready Kit Cabinets Pty Ltd (in liq) [2020] FCAFC 199.
• Provided advice to a global leader in lighting and energy solutions as to potential claims that may be brought against an employee for breaches under an employment agreement, and under a share and business sale agreement.
• Obtained a favourable settlement for one of Australia’s largest solar battery installers in respect of Australian Consumer Law claims.

Awards and recognition

Madeleine received a prize in International Law from Monash University.