Our People
Business Law
Timothy Finemore
Partner
Legal services: Business Law, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution, Personal Injury.
Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation
Phone: (03) 9670 0488
Fax: (03) 9670 6096
Email:
Timothy Finemore is the Managing Partner of Richmond and Bennison. He is also the Partner-In-Charge of our Commercial Law and Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Division. Timothy was admitted to practice as a lawyer in Victoria in 1977.
Under Timothy's guidance, the Firm has been involved in a number of notable and reported decisions impacting on a wide range of matters including personal injury, building contracts and property law.
Since 1993, Timothy has been an Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation. Timothy's early years of practice concentrated on working on matters involving personal injuries. He has acted on behalf of plaintiffs and defendants, primarily in transport and industrial accident claims.
Timothy's practice now includes commercial law and commercial litigation and he acts for a number of private companies and individuals on a wide range of commercial activities.
John Craw
Lawyer
Legal Service: Business Law
Accredited Specialist in Business Law
Phone: (03) 9580 8311
Fax: (03) 9587 1304
Email:
John was admitted to practice in 1994 and joined the firm in 2003. Prior to this John worked in major law firms in New Zealand, England and Australia. John is an Accredited Business Law Specialist and works from both our Melbourne and Mordialloc offices.
John's areas of practice include:
- sale and purchase of businesses
- buy/sell agreements
- commercial and shareholder agreements
- restructuring of companies and general commercial law advice
- franchises
- leasing - commercial and retail
- sale and purchase of commercial property
- employment contracts and related matters
- trusts, estate planning and business structures
Recent matters include:
- acting for a fruit wholesaler in the purchase of business
- business restructuring for a manufacturing company
- shareholder and licence agreements for an international internet venture
- drafting and finalising a significant long-term lease for a lessor client
John is a member of the Commercial and Property Sections of the Law Institute of Victoria, the Southern Solicitors Group and a volunteer at the Mentone Citizens Advice Bureau.
Kathryn Finemore
Lawyer
Legal Services: Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Phone: (03) 9670 0488
Fax: (03) 9670 6096
Email:
Kathryn was admitted to practice in March 2009.
Kathryn joined Richmond & Bennison in 2005 on a part time basis whilst completing her studies. Kathryn graduated from Monash University in 2009 with degrees in Bachelor of Law and Bachelor of Arts.
Pauline Treweek
Law Clerk
Legal Service: Family Law
Phone: (03) 9580 8311
Fax: (03) 9587 1304
Email:
Pauline Treweek is a Law Clerk in our Bayside Office. Pauline is an Associate Member of the Institute of Legal Executives.
Pauline has been working in the legal profession for over thirty years and joined Richmond and Bennison in 1980. She has had experience in all aspects of the legal services offered by Richmond & Bennison. Currently Pauline works with Rebecca Alexander (Lawyer) in our Family Law Division and assists Ruth Brown in the preparation of Estate and Probate matters.
Vivien Jahncke
Legal Assistant
Legal services: Business Law, Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Phone: (03) 9670 0488
Fax: (03) 9670 6096
Email:
Vivien joined the firm in 1988 and assists Tim Finemore and Mark Farrelly with commercial law and litigation matters.
Yesim Wright
Legal Assistant
Phone: (03) 9580 8311
Fax: (03) 9587 1304
Email:
Yesim joined Richmond & Bennison Lawyers in 2008 and assists John Craw with business law matters at our bayside office.
Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Timothy Finemore
Partner
Read Timothy Finemore's bio here.
Mark Farrelly
Lawyer
Legal services: Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution
Phone: (03) 9670 0488
Fax: (03) 9670 6096
Email:
Admitted to practice as a Lawyer in 1991, Mark is a member of the Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Division of the Firm. Mark has extensive litigation experience in a broad range of fields. His speciality is Domestic Building Law.
Mark's knowledge of Domestic Building Law is well known and respected. He has advised and represented a leading Insurer in this field for more than ten years. His experience includes advice on policy issues, claims processes and management, recoveries and representation in hundreds of litigious matters.
Mark has also advised and represented owners, builders and associated professionals and trades in all matters pertaining to domestic building disputation. He is a well recognised practitioner in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, the primary jurisdiction for domestic building disputes in Victoria. He has represented clients in all Victorian and Federal Courts.
Mark's approach is decidedly resolution focused. He promotes and achieves pragmatic and cost effective outcomes in preference to drawn out, time consuming and expensive litigation.
Mark sits on the Domestic Building List Users Group, a group convened by the VCAT Deputy President in control of the Domestic Building List, which meets several times a year to discuss and formulate procedures and practice rules for the Domestic Building List.
Mark is also a member of the Building Dispute Practitioner's Society and the Law Institute of Victoria's Litigation Section.
Qualifications:
Bachelor of Jurisprudence - Monash University
Bachelor of Laws - Monash University
Family and Relationships
Warwick Barton
Consultant
Legal Services: Family Law, Wills and Probate
Accredited Specialist in Family Law
Phone: (03) 9580 8311
Fax: (03) 9587 1304
Email:
Warwick Barton is a Consultant with the Firm and the Lawyer In-Charge of the Family Law Division and Wills and Probate Division at our Mordialloc office. He was admitted to practice as a lawyer in Victoria in 1972.
Between 1997 and 2010 Warwick was a Partner at Richmond & Bennison. Previously, Warwick worked with a prominent Gippsland law firm and worked with the Director of Public Prosecutions where he was involved in the prosecution of several major white collar crimes.
Warwick became an Accredited Specialist in Family Law in 1995 and he focuses on family law matters in his practice.
Warwick also has expertise in Probate Law and acts on behalf of clients who seek advice regarding Estate planning, Wills and Probate.
Warwick is a member of the Law Institute of Victoria and its Family Law Section. He is also a member of the Southern Solicitor's Group.
Rebecca Alexander
Lawyer
Legal Service: Family Law
Phone: (03) 9580 8311
Fax: (03) 9587 1304
Email:
Rebecca was admitted to practice as a lawyer in Queensland in 2007 and is a solicitor in the Family Law Division at our Mordialloc office.
Rebecca initially worked in a prominent Criminal Law firm in Sydney prior to joining Richmond and Bennison in 2008. Rebecca's primary focus is Family Law and obtaining the best outcome for her clients by the most stress free and cost effective means possible in all the circumstances.
Areas of Family Law that she practices include financial and property, children's, child support, divorce and marriage and defacto relationships.
While Family Law is Rebecca's main area of practice she also has experience dealing with Intervention Order proceedings and Criminal Law proceedings dealing mainly with Magistrate Court matters such as drink driving, speeding and other summary offences.
Rebecca is a member of the Law Institute of Victoria and its Family Law Section and Young Lawyers Section.
Chris Fraser
Law Clerk
Legal Service: Family Law
Phone: (03) 9580 8311
Fax: (03) 9587 1304
Email:
Chris joined Richmond and Bennison in 1976 and assists Warwick Barton in the preparation of family law matters.
Personal Injury
Timothy Finemore
Partner
Read Timothy Finemore's bio here
Michael Moran
Partner
Legal service: Personal Injury
Phone: (03) 9670 0488
Fax: (03) 9670 6096
Email:
Michael Moran is the Partner-In-Charge of our Personal Injury Law Division. He was admitted as a lawyer in Victoria in 1981. In 1986 he joined Richmond & Bennison and became a partner of the Firm in 1988.
Michael practices primarily in Personal Injury Law and has extensive experience in all areas of Personal Injury Law including:
- Workplace accidents and diseases
- Asbestos and related diseases
- Accidents and injuries in public places and due to public activities
- Injury caused by defective products
- Transport accidents
- Negligence by doctors and other health care providers.
Michael understands the financial and emotional turmoil that is suffered by those who are injured and their families.
He has a sound track record of achieving excellent results. Having previously acted for Insurers, Michael is aware of the tactics and strategies they employ.
With the benefit of his detailed knowledge of both the WorkCover and TAC systems, he will help guide you through to a satisfactory conclusion of your claim and at all times, keep you advised of the progress of your matter.
You will only pay legal fees if you are successful with your claim. Details of our Cost Agreement will be explained to you at the initial conference with Michael.
Appointments can be arranged for Michael at our Melbourne and Mordialloc offices. If you are unable to travel, Michael can arrange to visit you.
Away from the office, Michael is very involved in his local community, having been President of the Banyule Junior Football Club for 6 years. Presently, he is on the Executive Committee of the Yarra Junior Football League and is a Committee member of the Banyule Amateur Football Club.
Melissa Minutolo
Law Clerk
Legal Service: Personal Injury
Phone: (03) 9670 0488
Fax: (03) 9670 6096
Email:
Melissa commenced employment with Richmond & Bennison in 1997 and assists in the preparation of litigation in the personal injuries division. She works under the supervision of Tim Finemore and Michael Moran in all aspects of personal injury law including transport accidents, medical negligence, accidents in public places and in public activities and some work accidents.
Melissa provides clients with general information about their claims, attends conferences with barristers and other experts and assists our client's barristers at Court.
Jessica Main
Articled Clerk
Legal Services: Personal Injury
Phone: (03) 9670 0488
Fax: (03) 9670 6096
Email:
Jessica commenced working with Richmond & Bennison in 2008. Whilst completing a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce at Deakin University, she worked as a Legal Secretary assisting in the preparation of Personal Injury Law and Commercial Law matters.
Jessica completed her undergraduate course in 2009 and is undertaking her Articles of Clerkship (Traineeship) with Richmond & Bennison in 2010.
Property Law
Ken Mackinnon
Partner
Legal Services: Property Law, Wills and Probate
Phone: (03) 9580 8311
Fax: (03) 9587 1304
Email:
Ken Mackinnon is the Partner-In-Charge of our Property Law Division and was admitted to practice as a lawyer in Victoria in 1973. Prior to joining Richmond and Bennison in 1982, Ken was an Associate Partner of a prominent Melbourne law firm and practiced law within the property division.
With over 35 years experience, Ken is recognized as an expert in property law including:
- Buying and selling of residential, commercial and rural properties
- Mortgages
- Conversion of old law land
Ken advises developers and property owners on residential and rural developments and subdivisions and also advises clients regarding estate planning and the drawing of Wills.
Ken has been actively involved in the local community having volunteered for over twenty years as a solicitor at the Mentone Citizens Advice Bureau. He has also served on the Committee of the Mordialloc Chamber of Commerce. Ken is a member of the Law Institute of Victoria and the Southern Solicitor's Group.
Jeanette Mead
Law Clerk
Legal Services: Property Law
Phone: (03) 9580 8311
Fax: (03) 9587 1304
Email:
Jeanette joined the firm in 1989. Assisting Ken Mackinnon with the sale and purchase of property, Jeanette is also responsible for title searches, drawing up vendor statements, contracts of sale and organising settlements.
Lori Weare
Law Clerk
Legal Service: Property Law
Phone: (03) 9580 8311
Fax: (03) 9587 1304
Email:
Lori joined Richmond and Bennison in 1999 and assists Ken Mackinnon with the sale and purchase of property and other related transactions. This includes title searches, drawing up vendor statements, contracts of sale and organising settlements.
Christine Anderson
Conveyancing Law Clerk
Legal Service: Property Law
Phone: (03) 9580 8311
Fax: (03) 9587 1304
Email:
Christine Anderson is a Conveyancing Law Clerk at our Mordialloc Office.
She qualified as an Associate of the Institute of Legal Executives.
Christine has been working in the legal professional for over thirty years and joined Richmond & Bennison in January, 2010. She has had extensive experience in the property area of law having been a mortgage clerk for 13 years with a well known Melbourne law firm before deciding to further her career prospects as a Conveyancing Clerk over the past ten years.
Christine currently assists Ken MacKinnon (Partner) in our Conveyancing Department with the sale and purchase of properties. This includes title searches, preparation of Contracts and Vendors Statements, correspondence, adjustments of rates, arranging and finalizing settlements.
Wills and Probate
Warwick Barton
Partner
Read Warwick Barton's bio here
Lyndy Arnold
Law Clerk
Legal Services: Wills and Probate
Phone: (03) 9580 8311
Fax: (03) 9587 1304
Email:
Lyndy Arnold commenced working with Richmond & Bennison in 1980. She is an Associate of the Institute of Legal Executives.
Lyndy manages conveyancing files under the supervision of Ken Mackinnon and also assists in the preparation of Wills and Powers of Attorney.
Ruth Brown
Law Clerk
Legal Service: Wills and Probate
Phone: (03) 9580 8311
Fax: (03) 9587 1304
Email:
Having joined the firm in 1981, Ruth is one of the longest-serving staff members. She assists Ken Mackinnon and Warwick Barton with the areas of Wills and Probate. Ruth's responsibilities include obtaining Grants of Probate, interviewing clients, attending to the appropriate documentation and the administrating of Estates.
Administration
Simone Stephens
Office Manager
Phone: (03) 9580 8311
Fax: (03) 9587 1304
Email:
Sue Tancheff
Accounts Clerk
Phone: (03) 9580 8311
Fax: (03) 9587 1304
Email:
Noel Barter
Receptionist
Phone: (03) 9580 8311
Fax: (03) 9587 1304
Email:
Phone: (03) 9670 0488
Fax: (03) 9670 6096
Email:
Maria Platanos
Receptionist
Phone: (03) 9580 8311
Fax: (03) 9587 1304
Email:
Phone: (03) 9670 0488
Fax: (03) 9670 6096
Email: