Sandy Rizkallah

• 1

  Trusts, Wills & Estates
  • Trust
  • Trustee duties
  • Trust deed
  • Charitable trusts
  • Creating or amending a will
  • Power of Attorney
  • Death intestate
  • 1
    Executor duties
    
  • Probate
  • Wills & estates disputes
• Alternative Dispute Resolution
  • Negotiation of disputes
  • Mediation of disputes
  • Conciliation of disputes
  • Arbitration of disputes
  • Enforcement of orders
• Bankruptcy & Insolvency Law
  • Debt collection
• Civil Litigation
  • Advocacy
• Property & Planning Law
  • Conveyancing
  • Preparation or Review of a Contract of Sale
  • Purchase and settlement
  • Caveats and restrictive covenants registrations, removals and review
• Financial services and banking
  • Superannuation / funds management

• Amicus Lawyers

  Principal

  June, 2020 - Present

  Principal of Amicus Lawyers specialising in Litigation (commercial and estate) and estate planning matters.

• Marshalls & Dent Lawyers

  Senior Associate- Estate Litigation

  March, 2015 - June, 2020

  Recognised as a ‘Recommended’ lawyer by Doyle’s Guide 2017 and 2018 Leading Wills & Estates Litigation Lawyers, Arabic speaking lawyer, I am dedicated to my clients’ best interests and always strive to obtain the best possible outcome.

  Since my admission to practice I specialise exclusively in Wills and Estates and Estate litigation nationwide. I have a wealth of experience and knowledge in my field of expertise.

  As a Senior Associate, I am responsible for the provision of a large variety of complex legal services by advising individual and business clients of their legal rights and obligations, the development of legal strategies on larger more complex cases and the identification of legal risks and opportunities. My position within the firm is to provide leadership and expertise in a particular legal discipline and proactively seek opportunities to further develop as a professional.

  I have handled a wide range of cases across the spectrum and my expertise includes:

  • Acting on behalf of Plaintiffs and Defendants in Testator’s Family Maintenance claims;
  • Contested Probate Applications (challenging the validity of Wills);
  • Applications for Probate and Letters of Administration;
  • Drafting Wills and Powers of Attorney;
  • Breaches of Trust;
  • Guardianship applications;
  • Superannuation claims;
  • Statutory Will applications; and
  • General succession planning.

• Butlers Will Dispute Lawyers

  Estate Litigation Solicitor

  September, 2012 - March, 2015

  Sandy was responsible for running the Wills and Estates division in Victoria. Although she was based in Victoria, she specialised exclusively in Wills and Estates matters nationwide.

  Sandy's work included, but was not limited to, acting on behalf of Plaintiff’s and Defendant’s in Testator’s Family Maintenance claims, with the majority of clients on a no-win, no-fee agreement; Contested Probate Applications (challenging the validity of Wills); Applications for Probate and Letters of Administration; Breach of Trust and Guardianship and Statutory Will applications.

  Sandy had conduct of 70+ litigated files in Victoria, South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania, Queensland, New South Wales and the UK. As a solicitor practising exclusively in this field, Sandy has a wealth of experience and is driven to obtain the best possible outcome for her clients.

  Sandy appeared exclusively in the County and Supreme Courts in each jurisdiction on behalf of her clients.

  Duties:

  • Conferring with clients and obtaining instructions
  • Advising clients on various forms of estate planning (superannuation, wills, statutory wills, powers of attorney, guardianship, succession planning, notional estate, trusts, probate and estate litigation matters)
  • Applying for Probate and Letters of Administration
  • Formulating and evaluating claims
  • Drafting Affidavits and relevant court documentation
  • Instituting court proceedings and interlocutory applications from commencement to judgment
  • Appearing in the Supreme and District Courts in each jurisdiction
  • Representing clients at Directions Hearings
  • Representing clients at private and court appointed mediations nationwide
  • Discovery and obtaining evidence
  • Liaising with expert Counsel as to liability, quantum and procedural issues
  • Negotiating settlements
  • Preparing clients for court trials in the Supreme and District Court of each jurisdiction

• Contested Wills and Probate Lawyers

  Estate Litigation Solicitor

  November, 2011 - August, 2012

  In her role as an estate litigation solicitor, Sandy was responsible for the day to day handling of 30+ litigated files in all states of Australia and the UK.

  Her role included;

  • Advising both plaintiffs and defendants in testator’s family maintenance applications and will validity applications, with the majority of clients on a no-win, no- fee agreement
  • Obtaining and collating evidence in relation to will validity matters
  • Obtaining grants of probate and letters of administration
  • Taking instructions, formulating and evaluating claims, drafting relevant court documents and correspondence
  • Advising clients on various forms of estate planning including wills, powers of attorney, guardianship, succession planning, notional estate, trusts and probate and estate litigation matters
  • Issuing proceedings and interlocutory applications from commencement to judgment, including representation
  • Obtaining and evaluating evidence from independent witnesses
  • Liaising with forensic accountants, psychologists and doctors to obtain reports for negotiating and litigation purposes
  • Appearing in the Supreme Court of Victoria and New South Wales to represent clients at directions hearings
  • Attending private and court appointed Mediations nationwide on behalf of clients
  • Briefing counsel in all states for full advice as to liability, quantum and procedural issues
  • Negotiating settlements including Calberbank Offers, Offers of Compromise and drawing Terms of Settlement
  • Preparing clients for trial
  • Undertaking debt recovery proceedings on behalf of the firm for clients with outstanding accounts
  • Appearing in the Magistrates Court to represent clients at pre-hearing conferences in debt recovery matters

• Patrick Cash & Associates

  Paralegal

  November, 2009 - July, 2011

  Areas of Law: Criminal Law, TAC claims, Workcover, Personal Injury Claims, Family Law, Commercial Law, Property Law & Conveyancing, Wills & Estate, Victims of Crime Compensation, Debt Collection

  Duties: Legal research, dicta typing, drafting Contracts of Sale, Transfer of Land, Affidavits, Wills, Probate documents, memorandums, general filing, performing day to day account transactions, conducting searches, client meetings, attending settlements, interpreting for clients of Arabic background, referral services, diary management and deliveries.

• Lewenberg & Lewenberg Solicitors

  Paralegal

  December, 2009 - July, 2011

  At Lewenberg & Lewenberg, Sandy handled correspondence and assisted solicitors with research, data entry, sorting and distributing mail, filing, liaising with clients, diary management and general secretarial duties.

• 

  Victoria University, Australia

  Bachelor of Laws (Hons)/ Bachelor of Arts (Hons)

  2007 - 2011

Level 11, 456 Lonsdale Street, Melbourne VIC 3000