Melanie advises and represents Commonwealth government agencies and corporate clients in civil litigation, class actions, commercial disputes, dispute resolution, administrative law advice and litigation, major investigations and sensitive inquiries.  She has more than 25 years of Canberra-based legal experience.

Biography

Melanie acts for Commonwealth government agencies, statutory entities and corporate clients. Her clients operate across the full spectrum of Commonwealth activity. Melanie joined Thomsons in July 2025 as part of the transition of one of Australia’s premier Commonwealth government practices.

Melanie’s practice spans litigation, dispute resolution, public law, investigations and integrity matters. She represents clients in civil claims including intentional tort, negligent misstatement, personal injury, class actions and vexatious litigant claims. She advises on administrative law matters including statutory interpretation, legislative review, merits review, judicial review and administrative decision making. In commercial disputes, Melanie manages the early resolution of emerging disputes and represents agencies in contested disputes. Melanie conducts major investigations including Public Interest Disclosure and Code of Conduct investigations.

Melanie is lead partner for the Commonwealth on the Robodebt class action appeal and settlement, the largest class action settlement in Australian history at A$548.5 million. This matter exemplifies the scale, complexity and public profile of the government matters in which Melanie is involved.

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