Wills and Estates Lawyers Melbourne

Celia joined Sanicki Lawyers in 2026, practising in Commercial Law, Retail and Commercial Leasing, Franchising, Intellectual Property Law, and Estate Planning and Administration.

Celia was admitted to practice in 2020. She holds a Juris Doctor from Monash University, a Master of Arts and Entertainment Management from Deakin University and a Bachelor of Dramatic Arts (Technical Production) from the National Institute of Dramatic Arts (NIDA).

Celia has expertise and experience in:

• Contractual matters: reviewing, negotiating and drafting agreements, including service, consultancy and contractor agreements, preparing terms and conditions.
• Retail and commercial leasing: acting for landlords and tenants.
• Commercial transactions: acting for vendors and purchasers in relation to the sale of businesses and share sales.
• Franchising: acting for franchisors and franchisees in transactions and compliance matters.
• Trade mark law: assisting clients with applications and transfers in Australia and internationally; advising in relation to alleged infringements.
• Corporate structuring: including preparing shareholder agreements; interpreting and amending trust deeds.
• Estate planning and administration: drafting wills, enduring powers of attorney and appointments of medical treatment decision makers; and acting for executors/administrators in obtaining Grants of Probate or Letters of Administration.

Previous clients have commended Celia on her ability to guide them through legal processes, her attention to detail, her practical problem-solving approach to achieving commercial outcomes, and her calm and personable manner.

Prior to practicing law, Celia had an established career as a Stage and Production Manager in the creative industries in which she worked for many of Australia’s leading companies, festivals and venues in the corporate, non-profit and government sectors. Celia was also a sessional lecturer and tutor at the Victorian College of the Arts (VCA) and Deakin University.

Career highlights included being part of the stage management team delivering the pre-match entertainment for numerous AFL Grand Finals, working in stage and orchestral management for international opera companies and concert artists touring Australia, and coordinating Sydney Festival’s music program at the Sydney Opera House.

Since 2021, Celia has volunteered as a Concert Coordinator of the Lyrical Lunchtime Concerts at the Supreme Court Library for BottledSnail Productions, the Melbourne legal profession’s performing arts for wellbeing initiative.

Outside the office, Celia enjoys indulging in gourmet experiences, is a test cricket and tennis enthusiast, delights in attending a wide range of music, arts and cultural events, travelling and spending time in nature, especially in coastal environments.

Robert joined Sanicki Lawyers in 2022. He is an Accredited Commercial and Franchise Specialist with over 35 years of experience in acting for commercial and business clients and property. Rob commenced practice in 1982 and is a regular commentator and publisher of articles on the franchising, licensing, distribution and childcare sectors. Rob developed considerable business acumen while working for his brother Ted in Ted’s Camera Store, which continues to be an iconic Australian business. Rob enjoys the challenge of finding lateral solutions, giving direct “no bull” advice to clients, and getting the job done. Robert and his team at Sanicki Lawyers are dedicated lawyers that work hard for clients and find commercial solutions. The firm operates in an open and transparent manner regarding fees, including fixed fees based on scope of works for many services provided. This allows clients to monitor and budget for their legal costs.

Rob has expertise in the following sectors:

• Franchising: Acting for both Franchisors (local and international), Franchisees, Master Franchisees, Area Developers; Franchise dispute resolution acting for both Franchisors and Franchisees – solutions and strategies – mediation;
• Company and Corporate advice: Corporations Law – Director’s duties, corporate compliance and ASIC prosecutions of directors;  Establishing companies in Australia for foreign companies; General commercial, corporate advice and consultancy, shareholder/unit holder agreements and buyouts; Oppression actions and statutory demands for winding up and insolvency;
• Business and Corporate M&A work: Mergers and Acquisitions of a small to large business enterprises including due diligence processes;
• Retail and Commercial Leasing: Retail leasing, property and development projects, joint venture syndicates;
• Contractual matters: Contract review tenders and trade practices law (Competition and Consumer Act 2010); Licensing and distribution, commercial and contractual agreements, software licensing and development agreements;
• Childcare and Early Learning Sectors: Child Care and Early Learning Centre Sector – Investors, Developers and Operators;
• Medical and Allied health: Pharmacies and medical practise sale and purchase;
• Renewable Energy Law: Power Purchase agreements in the solar and renewables sector.

Robert is also a member of:

• Franchise Council of Australia (FCA)
• International Franchise Lawyers Association (IFLA)
• Australian Institute of Company Director (AICD)
• Global Law Network
• Resident Director and Public Agent for overseas companies in the USA, India and Canada
• Advisory Board Member to Franchisor and New Energy companies
• Advisor to NFP’s Aid Hub International

Peter joined Sanicki Lawyers in May 2019 as Special Counsel. He brings over 40 years’ experience as a commercial lawyer, having worked with a number of prestigious city legal firms including Browne & Co (when they were AFL’s lawyers), Mills Oakley and Marshalls & Dent.

Peter specialises in most aspects of Commercial Law, including:

• Mergers & Acquisition;
• Shareholder and Business Succession Agreements;
• Business set-up & Restructure;
• Commercial Disputes, including Alternative Dispute Resolution;
• Insolvency;
• Debt Recovery.

Peter also specialises in Estate Planning and Deceased Estates, including:

• Advising on and drafting Wills, Enduring Powers of Attorney and Appointments of a Medical Decision Maker;
•  Obtaining Grants of Probate or Letters of Administration in connection with deceased estates;
• Dealing with disputes arising out of deceased estates;
• Advising on the merits of challenging and/or contesting a Will on behalf of a disgruntled party, whether or not they be a named beneficiary.

Kristen joined Sanicki Lawyers in 2022, where she primarily practices in corporate, commercial, and property law. Kristen was admitted to practice in 2016 and holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) degree, majoring in Chinese.

Kristen prides herself on her ability to create strong client relations and effectively manage matters in accordance with agreed client arrangements. Her experience in various areas of law has also contributed to her ability to assess matters from multiple perspectives.

Kristen has expertise in the following areas:

• General commercial, corporate advice and consultancy, shareholder/unitholder agreements;
• Mergers and acquisitions of small to large businesses;
• Sales and acquisitions of residential and commercial properties;
• Leasing (including retail leasing) – acting for tenants and landlords;
• Franchising – acting for Franchisors and Franchisees;
• Reviewing and preparing Loan Documents – acting for Lenders and Borrowers;
• Assisting not-for-profit organisations with the setup and/or review of their structure, including navigating legal requirements for registration and providing advice in relation legal compliance;
• Wills and Estates – assisting with the preparation of Wills and administration of Estates.

Outside of work, Kristen loves spending time with her family, including:

• taking her son to swimming;
• chasing her son around at parks; and
• going to the footy to support her beloved Richmond Tigers;
• trying new restaurants; and
• watching movies and tv shows.