Contact an expert lawyer

Justin Fung

Position: Partner - Head of Commercial & Corporate | General Manager
Email: justin.fung@avantlaw.com.au
Contact Number: 0409 938 374

Justin leads the corporate and commercial law practice at Avant Law, based in Sydney.

‍Justin has over 15 years’ experience advising in commercial, corporate, risk, compliance, governance, regulatory enforcement and dispute resolution and advises clients in the private and public sectors.

‍Before joining Avant Law, Justin was the General Counsel of a national allied health group of companies. He has held Group and Divisional Head of Legal roles in a major ASX-listed health company, whose operations covered medical and dental centres, allied health, pathology, diagnostic imaging, assisted reproductive technologies, day surgeries and hospitals. Prior to these in-house legal roles, Justin was an Executive Counsel with the global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills where he practiced for over 10 years.

Justin Fung

Position: Partner - Head of Commercial & Corporate | General Manager
Email: justin.fung@avantlaw.com.au
Contact Number: 0409 938 374

Justin leads the corporate and commercial law practice at Avant Law, based in Sydney.

‍Justin has over 15 years’ experience advising in commercial, corporate, risk, compliance, governance, regulatory enforcement and dispute resolution and advises clients in the private and public sectors.

‍Before joining Avant Law, Justin was the General Counsel of a national allied health group of companies. He has held Group and Divisional Head of Legal roles in a major ASX-listed health company, whose operations covered medical and dental centres, allied health, pathology, diagnostic imaging, assisted reproductive technologies, day surgeries and hospitals. Prior to these in-house legal roles, Justin was an Executive Counsel with the global law firm Herbert Smith Freehills where he practiced for over 10 years.

Ben Ryan

Position: Partner
Email: ben.ryan@avantlaw.com.au
Contact Number: 0407 678 126

Ben is in the commercial and corporate law practice at Avant Law, based in Brisbane. Ben has been working with health practitioners and medical practices since 2013.  Working primarily on commercial structuring, dispute resolution and intellectual property matters to help clients achieve strategic and commercially sensible results. He pursued a career in law to provide reliable and honest support to those in need of legal assistance and enjoys working with clients to develop solutions-oriented legal strategy and advice. Ben is a trusted adviser to the industry and regularly presents on commercial issues faced in private practice. 

Anthony Ha

Position: Special Counsel
Email: anthony.ha@avantlaw.com.au
Contact Number: 0458 430 963

Anthony Ha is a Special Counsel in Avant Law’s Commercial and Corporate law practice, based in Sydney. Anthony has over a decade of experience advising clients in both the private and public sectors on all aspects of commercial and corporate law. His practice includes privacy, regulatory enforcement, governance, and risk and compliance matters. Before joining Avant Law, Anthony held the role of senior legal counsel in a major ASX-listed health company, whose operations covered medical and dental centres, allied health, pathology, diagnostic imaging, assisted reproductive technologies, day surgeries and hospitals. He has also worked as a senior lawyer within one of New South Wales’s largest primary and secondary education providers. 

Marija Xenakis

Position: Special Counsel
Email: marija.xenakis@avantlaw.com.au
Contact Number: 0447 348 781

Marija is a Special Counsel in Avant Law’s Commercial and Corporate law practice, based in Sydney.  Marija has 15 years’ experience advising on commercial, corporate, employment, risk and compliance and regulatory matters for clients in the private and public sectors.

Before joining Avant Law, Marija held Group Senior Legal Counsel roles in one of Australia’s largest entertainment groups (whose operations covered hospitality, events, accommodation, retail and gaming) and a major ASX-listed health company (whose operations covered medical and dental centres, allied health, pathology, diagnostic imaging, assisted reproductive technologies, day surgeries and hospitals).  

Prior to these in-house roles, Marija was an Associate with global law firm Norton Rose Fulbright.

Marko Novakov

Position: Senior Associate
Email: marko.novakov@avantlaw.com.au
Contact Number: 0475 374 890

Marko is a Senior Associate in the commercial and corporate law practice at Avant Law, based in Melbourne. Marko has broad based experience practising in law firms and in-house legal roles in the areas of commercial law, corporate and regulatory governance, and litigation and alternative dispute resolution. Since 2023, Marko has focused on working with health practitioners and medical practices, primarily on commercial acquisitions and sales, governance, dispute resolution and intellectual property matters in order to help clients achieve both their strategic and commercial objectives. In working with his clients, Marko has developed a reputation of being a trusted advisor who can bridge the gap between legal expertise and effective communication. 

Prior to becoming a lawyer, Marko completed his Bachelor of Science Degree at the University of Toronto with a focus on Behavioural Neuroscience and with multiple publications in a peer-reviewed scientific journal for behavioural neuroendocrinology. Marko also attends and delivers presentations at conferences for doctors on commercial matters related to private practice. 

Joshua Leslie

Position: Senior Associate
Email: joshua.leslie@avantlaw.com.au
Contact Number: 0455 340 661

Joshua is a Senior Associate in both the commercial and corporate law and the property law practice at Avant Law, based in Perth. He has an extensive and versatile skill set across a range of legal practice areas. Joshua is approachable and dedicated to delivering high-quality personalised solutions tailored to his clients’ needs and objectives. He understands the key commercial drivers for doctors and medical practices, enabling him to provide pragmatic, candid, and reliable advice. Joshua is adept and experienced at providing comprehensive legal support at each stage of a client’s commercial journey. 

Romy Sirtes

Position: Senior Associate
Email: romy.sirtes@avantlaw.com.au
Contact Number: 0459 596 686

Romy is a Senior Associate in Avant Law’s Commercial and Corporate Law practice, based in Sydney. Romy has experience advising clients in both the private and public sectors on a wide range of commercial, corporate, litigious and regulatory law. Romy has particular experience working with health practitioners and medical practices, assisting primarily with privacy, governance, risk, compliance and commercial matters. Romy enjoys working with clients to achieve practical and commercially strategic outcomes and is known for her professional and reliable approach.   

Erica Reed

Position: Senior Associate
Email: erica.reed@avantlaw.com.au
Contact Number: 0439 807 883

Erica Reed is a Senior Associate in the Commercial and Corporate Law practice at Avant Law, based in Brisbane.

She joined Avant Law in 2024 and brings over 8 years of experience in commercial and corporate law. Building on her work at a specialist firm, Erica advises medical practitioners and practices on a wide range of commercial matters including mergers and acquisitions, corporate structuring, dispute resolution, as well as privacy and compliance.

Erica is known for delivering pragmatic and reliable advice, helping clients navigate the complex commercial considerations that impact medical practitioners and practices today.

Charlotte Boston

Position: Associate
Email: charlotte.boston@avantlaw.com.au
Contact Number: 0466 590 915

Charlotte Boston is an Associate in Avant Law's Commercial and Corporate Law practice, based in the Sydney office.

Charlotte has built a strong legal foundation from her broad experience in advising clients in both the private and public sectors across all stages of the business lifecycle. She has experience in business structuring, corporate governance, shareholder arrangements, commercial contracting, mergers and acquisitions and capital raisings across a range of industries in Perth and Sydney. Her practical, solutions-driven approach and commercial acumen make her a trusted advisor in supporting clients in navigating legal issues to deliver solutions which drive business growth and success.

Jade Dickson

Position: Associate
Email: jade.dickson@avantlaw.com.au
Contact Number: 0474 121 855

Jade Dickson is an Associate in the Commercial and Corporate law practice at Avant Law, based in Brisbane.     

Jade works closely with health practitioners and medical practices on a variety of matters which include corporate structuring, intellectual property matters and commercial disputes. Jade pursued a career in the law as he has a strong interest in dispute resolution, supporting those in need and resolving legal complications in the most efficient and cost-effective manner possible.      

Before joining Avant Law, Jade worked in a variety of roles in both private and public sectors, exposing him to a variety of industries in which time he developed a strong business acumen and comprehensive expertise to in turn deliver tailored and effective legal solutions for his clients.

Matthew Brooks

Position: Graduate-at-Law
Email: Matthew.Brooks@avantlaw.com.au
Contact Number: 0403 690 190

Matthew Brooks is a Graduate-at-Law who works in the Commercial and Corporate Team in Avant Law. Matthew has over two years’ experience working with clients in the medical and healthcare sector and has previously worked with the Employment and Workplace, Property, and Estate Planning teams at Avant Law. Matthew has a passion for problem solving and enjoys guiding clients towards commercially viable solutions.

Stephen Schoninger

Position: Partner - Head of Employment & Workplace
Email: stephen.schoninger@avantlaw.com.au
Contact Number: 0407 947 998

Stephen leads the employment and workplace law practice at Avant Law, based in Sydney.

‍Stephen has over 20 years’ experience practising exclusively in employment, industrial relations and discrimination laws. Stephen is called on for his ability to plainly advise on and pragmatically apply legal principles to manage and resolve complex issues arising in the workplace.

‍Stephen advises employers and employees in the private and public sectors on all areas of workplace law and is an experienced litigator of work-related claims. Stephen also conducts workplace investigations and delivers workplace compliance training. He regularly presents seminars on topical employment and workplace law issues.

Savanna Russo

Position: Senior Associate
Email: savanna.russo@avantlaw.com.au
Contact Number: 0487 749 122

Savanna Russo is a Senior Associate in the employment and workplace law practice at Avant Law, based in Sydney. Savanna has experience advising both employer and employee clients on all areas of employment law. She has particular experience advising businesses in a wide range of industries including medical and allied health, banking and finance, professional services and construction. Savanna provides practical, solutions-focused advice and is known for her professional and empathetic approach. 

Natasha Prasad

Position: Associate
Email: natasha.prasad@avantlaw.com.au
Contact Number: 0492 317 536

Natasha Prasad is an Associate in the employment and workplace law practice at Avant Law, based in Sydney. Natasha has experience advising employers and employees on all aspects of employment law areas including workplace discrimination, bullying and sexual harassment, contracts of employment, termination of employment and compliance with employment regulations across various industries. Natasha is dedicated to having an empathetic approach when helping clients navigate complex workplace issues. Natasha provides clear, actionable advice tailored to her client's specific needs. 

Rachael Lagana

Position: Team Manager
Email: rachael.lagana@avantlaw.com.au
Contact Number: 0433 487 065

Rachael is a Team Manager in Avant Law's Estate Planning & Probate team, based in Melbourne.  Rachael has over 20 years’ experience in this area, assisting to implement tailored estate planning strategies for a variety of clients with differing requirements.  

Whether you simply require wills with standard provisions or more complex wills that incorporate testamentary, protective or disability trusts and powers of attorney or need to also consider your superannuation or the succession of companies and trusts, Rachael can assist with creating your plan and drafting your estate planning documents. 

Location: Darling Park, Level 6, 3/201 Sussex St, Sydney NSW 2000
Phone: 02 9260 9000

Location: Level 36, Melbourne Central Tower, 360 Elizabeth Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
Phone: 03 9026 5900

Location: Level 18, 345 Queen Street, Brisbane QLD 4000
Phone: 07 3309 6800

Location: Level 3, 50 Colin Street, West Peth WA 6005
Phone: 08 6189 5700

Location: Level 1, 182 Fullarton Road, Dulwich, 5065
Phone: 08 7071 9800

Location: Unit 10, George Turner House, 11 McKay Gardens, Turner ACT 2612
Phone: 03 9026 5961

Location: Level 3, 221 Macquarie St, Hobart, 7000
Phone: 03 6223 5400

Location: Contact South Australian State Office, Level 1, 195 Melbourne Street, North Adelaide, SA 5006
Phone: 08 7071 9800