Charities
Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 : Australia
Band 1
Email address
[email protected]Contact number
+61 3 9670 9111About
Provided by Mills Oakley
We act for some of Australia’s highest profile Not-for-Profit and Social Enterprise (NFP/SE) organisations.
Our lawyers serve on the boards of numerous NFP/SE organisations and are recognised as leading experts in the sector by industry commentators such as Pro Bono Australia and the Financial Times.
We provide legal education, advice and specialist legal counsel across all areas of NFP/ SE operations. Our clients include charities, professional/industry bodies, religious groups, social investment institutions and community organisations. We are particularly well known for our work advising on the Modern Slavery Act and assisting faith-based institutions in responding to claims of child sexual abuse under a restorative justice framework.
Chambers Review
Mills Oakley is an expert group advising charities, not-for-profits (NFPs) and religious and community organisations on the full range of administrative, transactional, compliance and potentially contentious issues. The firm regularly assists charities and NFPs in dealings with the ACNC and the Australian Taxation Office.
Work Highlights
- Mills Oakley acted on behalf of The Salvation Army in defence of an unfair dismissal claim in the Fair Work Commission in which access to relief from unfair dismissal under Section 394 of the Fair Work Act 2009 was contested.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Mills Oakley provides technical, comprehensive advice. The firm is pragmatic."
"Mills Oakley's strongest point was the ability to represent multiple parties with empathy and an understanding of their emotions and desired outcomes."
"Mills applies its legal advice to our context, organisation and industry. It guides us on application."
"They distinguished themselves as thorough, emotionally intelligent, and possessing a nuanced and detailed understanding of relevant law."
"Mills Oakley provides technical, comprehensive advice. The firm is pragmatic."
"Mills Oakley's strongest point was the ability to represent multiple parties with empathy and an understanding of their emotions and desired outcomes."
"Mills applies its legal advice to our context, organisation and industry. It guides us on application."
"They distinguished themselves as thorough, emotionally intelligent, and possessing a nuanced and detailed understanding of relevant law."
Notable Practitioners
Vera Visevic has operated in the charities and NFP space for over 25 years and is active in areas such as compliance, governance and taxation.
"Vera is commercially savvy and has extensive knowledge of sector-specific legislation and regulation."
"She is highly intelligent, rational, customer service-oriented and generous."
"She is personable and accountable and I really felt she saw us and wanted the absolute best for us."
Luke Geary handles a spectrum of issues for charities and religious institutions. He is well regarded for contentious matters, particularly those with reputational or operational risks for NFPs. He also has experience advising on child sexual abuse claims.
"Luke had an excellent understanding of our needs and provided an exemplary service that exceeded our expectations."
"He is an outstanding person with the highest integrity and displays knowledge and empathy for clients."
"Luke is extremely knowledgeable and can bring a diverse range of perspectives together to provide fulsome advice that considers the legal perspective and is commercially minded."