Obst Legal
About Us
Obst Legal has true expertise in a number of areas and does not pretend otherwise, namely:
Insurance litigation involving professional indemnity and Directors and Officers policies
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Disciplinary matters involving lawyers.
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Commercial / Contractual/ Trust litigation
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Negotiation, mediation and arbitration
The interest of the clients of Obst Legal come before our own.
You will not find on the Obst Legal website information about individual clients or litigation in which our personnel have been involved. We go so far as not to carry the name of our client on files which can be read by the public.
We take very seriously our professional obligations including to maintain the confidentiality of our clients and their business affairs and do not think it appropriate to publicise details of our clients' legal transactions.
Costs
Obst Legal does not charge by time spent in achieving an outcome which rewards inefficiency. We charge fees focused on output as is reflected in charges which are based on the Supreme Court scale of costs as approved by the Supreme Court and the Victorian Government. The costs are independently assessed and we reserve the discretion to charge a reduced (not increased) amount as the fees payable. In this way:
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The lawyers can focus on the work and not their time spent in doing it;
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The costs reflect the output;
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The costs charged are transparently reviewable.
Our Services
Insurance Litigation
Professional indemnity
Obst Legal personnel have many years of experience in acting on the instructions of insurers in respect of claims against:
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Lawyers
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Accountants
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Financial advisors
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Design professionals including architects
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Engineers
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Real estate agents
Directors and officers
Few lawyers really understand how D&O/Company Reimbursement policies operate. The expertise we have has saved insurers millions of dollars in claims made without that understanding. Conversely, when acting for a company officer or a company indemnifying its officers, we have the knowledge to structure the defence and the incurring of costs to ensure maximum recovery under a policy of both damages and costs.
Commercial /Contractual/Trust Litigation
Litigious areas in which Obst Legal have acted include:
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Professional partnerships
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Joint ventures
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Trusts including unitholder and other beneficiary disputes
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Property contracts
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Commercial landlord/tenant
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Financing
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Shareholders and corporate governance
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Directors duties
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Trustee duties
Negotiation, Mediation, Arbitration
Whether within or outside the litigation context, Obst Legal personnel are experienced at identifying the best strategy for the client’s best outcome and implementing it whether by:
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Negotiating a deal
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Formal mediation
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Arbitration
Our People
Howard Obst
Partner
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One of the most experienced litigation lawyers in Victoria, having been admitted to practice in 1976 and acted almost exclusively in litigious matters since 1980.
Howard has been a partner at much larger firms but prefers to control his environment and the manner in which the practice of law is conducted under his name always with a focus on quality, service and outcomes.
Caroline Dew
Partner
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Caroline was admitted to practice in 1997. She holds a Bachelor of Legal Studies and Bachelor of Laws (Hons) from La Trobe University.
Caroline spent the early part of her career working in the insurance team of a mid-tier firm. Her practice included public liability, product liability, property claims, recoveries, and policy and indemnity advice. She also practised in general commercial litigation including contractual disputes, trade practices, shareholder disputes, debt recovery and insolvency.
Caroline joined Obst Legal in 2008 and acts in professional indemnity and commercial litigation.
Hilary Stokes
Senior Associate
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Admitted in 2004 in New Zealand (Christchurch) and in 2005 in Victoria, Hilary Stokes advises in a broad range of commercial disputes including contract, corporate and trust disputes, and the Australian Consumer Law in all Victorian jurisdictions and the Federal Court.
Since joining Obst Legal in 2008, Hilary has enjoyed a particular focus on professional negligence and insurance law.
Hilary holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from the
University of Canterbury.
Daniel Le Huray
Lawyer
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Daniel has experience in general commercial litigation, with particular experience in professional negligence claims.
Daniel acts for lawyers on a regular basis to defending professional indemnity claims made against them, and for individual and commercial clients in a range of matters including contract disputes, shareholder and director disputes, and restraint of trade matters. Daniel also has acted for professionals in defending disciplinary proceedings.
Daniel has a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce from Deakin University.
Daniel was admitted to practice in August 2011 and commenced with Obst Legal in November 2011
George Abraham
Lawyer
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George was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Victoria in September 2017. He completed a Bachelor of Laws with Honours at the University of Tasmania and has a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from Leo Cussen Centre for Law.’
Contact Us
Level 20
500 Collins St
Melbourne VIC 3000
DX 30866 Stock Exchange
Phone: 03 8614 5300
Fax: 03 8614 5399