Firm’s continued expansion “demonstrates there is a place for a boutique practice in the Melbourne and national market,” says managing partner
A Melbourne boutique firm has promoted two to its partnership.
Justitia Lawyers and Consultants has named Magda Marciniak and Melissa Scadden as partners.
Marciniak, who leads the firm’s employment practice, has a particular focus on local and state government agencies as clients.
“Clients value working with Magda not only due to her warmth, humour, accessibility and expertise but also because she partners with them to collaboratively resolve their challenging employment and compliance matters. Magda has successfully represented her clients in important discrimination litigation in VCAT and the Federal Court,” Justitia said.
Scadden, who has experience from the UK, has a practice that services the education, local government, not-for-profit, and associations sectors. Her holistic approach features helping clients to create exceptional workplaces for their staff, rather than focussing solely on risk minimisation, the firm said.
“Recent key areas of practice for Melissa include the implementation of Child Safe Standards in education and other sectors, conducting Local Government Councillor Code of Conduct hearings as an arbiter and working with a number of clients to improve their performance management processes. Melissa’s clients appreciate her versatility in being able to defend Fair Work Commission claims, carry out an investigation into a high-risk situation, or present workplace training,” Justitia said.
The new partners are longstanding mentors to law students as part of the Victorian Women Lawyers mentoring scheme. They are actively engaged in supporting women in the legal profession.
“Justitia continues to expand, which demonstrates there is a place for a boutique practice in the Melbourne and national market,” said Sarah Rey, managing partner. “We offer both mainstream employment law services but also niche services to our clients. Over the years our lawyers have worked as investigators, arbiters and mediators which adds another dimension to the advice we are able to provide clients. We recognise that the best workplaces are built on strong relationships. We partner with our clients to help create environments where people are supported to perform at their best.”
Rey said that clients seek the firm’s advice and support as workplace conflict and complaints become increasingly complex because the firm’s approach not only encompasses legal advice, but also pragmatic and practical advice that explore a full range of solutions.
“We are curious and creative in determining how best to support our clients,” she said. “Justitia’s long-standing client relationships are testament to the high regard with which our team is held. Our clients who work with Magda and Melissa will not be surprised to hear of their elevation.”
