Sanicki Lawyers pride ourselves on guiding licensees through every step of the liquor licensing process because we have been through it ourselves. From planning disputes at local council level to liquor licence applications with Liquor Control Victoria, we offer full support and advocacy. Our experienced liquor licensing lawyers in Melbourne also assist with responding to objections and complaints by authorities and neighbours, handling compliance notices and defending clients against allegations of licence and planning breaches in the Magistrates’ Court, the Liquor Commission and VCAT.
We provide a wide array of legal services tailored specifically for businesses in the licensed hospitality sector. These services include assistance with lease agreements, contract negotiations, intellectual property matters, and resolving disputes. As a trusted liquor licensing law firm in Melbourne, we partner with leading professionals outside of the legal field—such as acoustic engineers, town planners, and surveyors—whose expertise ensures that any reports or expert testimony we provide are credible and defensible in front of regulators, courts, and tribunals.
Our team frequently represents clients in cases where regulators claim violations of liquor or planning laws. With over 15 years of experience, we’ve successfully defended almost every offence under the Liquor Control Reform Act, covering everything from noise complaints, exceeding background music levels, amenity breaches, underage drinking and illegal liquor supply. Our liquor licensing compliance lawyers have seen every step of the enforcement process both as operators of venues and as advocates defending them.
What truly sets us apart is our deep experience within the hospitality industry. Having managed venues and dealt directly with liquor and council inspections, we understand the ins and outs of the sector like few others. To learn more about how our industry expertise can benefit your business, contact Terence O’Brien, an experienced licensed premises lawyer in Melbourne, for a personalised consultation.
Grace Madafferi is a litigation lawyer at Sanicki Lawyers, practising across building disputes, employment law, banking and finance (including fraudulent transfers and irresponsible lending), defamation and probate.
Grace is a founding member of the firm’s Hospitality Law Team, specialising in liquor licensing matters. She advises licensees on compliance, defends infringement notices, and assists with regulatory investigations and prosecutions. Grace works closely with Special Counsel Terence O’Brien on complex matters under the Liquor Control Reform Act 1998, Planning and Environment Act 1987, and EPA Noise Regulations. Her experience includes liaising with Victoria Police and Liquor Control Victoria. Grace also provides in-house compliance training to licensees and staff, ensuring they navigate the regulatory environment with confidence.
Grace holds a Bachelor of Laws and Business and was admitted to practice in 2023. While studying, she worked at Tiffany & Co., assisting with trademark enforcement and training Australian Border Force officers on counterfeit goods.
Grace is known for her practical legal advice, relationship building, strong communication, and strategic approach. She is an active member of the Victorian Women Lawyers Mentoring Committee and is a die-hard supporter of the Melbourne Football Club.
Nicole joined Sanicki Lawyers in November 2024 as a Paralegal Intern before progressing to a Paralegal role the following month. She now works as a Solicitor, having completed her Bachelor of Laws in 2025 and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice in 2026 through the College of Law.
Nicole primarily supports the Commercial Litigation and Hospitality teams across a broad range of matters. Drawing on her background in retail and hospitality, she brings a practical, client-focused perspective to her work. She is committed to providing clear, effective support and helping achieve outcomes that are both commercially sound and personally meaningful.
Outside of work, Nicole enjoys travelling and spending time outdoors. She is passionate about snowboarding and scuba diving and has pursued these interests in various destinations around the world. Nicole also volunteers with Prison Network, where she values the opportunity to contribute to and connect with the wider community.
Terence is an experienced litigation and liquor licensing lawyer with over 14 years of practice. His expertise spans contract and commercial disputes, property law, planning litigation, corporate governance, construction, insolvency, product liability, professional negligence, employment issues, and regulatory investigations and prosecutions.
As the founder of Sanicki Lawyers’ Hospitality Division, Terence has extensive experience advising and representing clients in liquor licensing matters, including investigations and prosecutions. His deep understanding of the complexities of liquor licensing law and enforcement, and the challenges faced by licensees in an uncompromising regulatory environment, allows him to provide strategic and practical solutions tailored to his clients’ needs.
Terence regularly appears in all Victorian Courts and Tribunals, as well as in Federal jurisdictions, providing comprehensive legal representation across various levels of the legal system.
We offer guidance on defending your venue against alleged breaches and work to mitigate penalties.
When objections to your licence arise, we advocate for your venue and negotiate to find favourable outcomes.
Our experienced lawyers represent your interests before liquor licensing authorities and manage the complexities of regulatory investigations.
