Grace Pham (BA, University of Western Australia) is a final year Juris Doctor student at the University of Western Australia. She is currently a Legal Administrative Assistant at MDC Legal and will be joining the firm as a Law Graduate in 2024. Grace conducts legal research and assists with client engagement. Prior to joining MDC Legal, Grace clerked at DLA Piper in the employment law team and worked as a paralegal for Wotton + Kearney.
Staff Archive - MDC Legal
Nikita (BA LLB, Murdoch University) is Special Counsel at MDC Legal, with over 12 years’ experience in workplace and employment law. She is currently recognised in Doyle’s Guide to the Legal Profession as the sole Preeminent employment lawyer (employee representation) behind Market Leader and MDC Legal Director, Mark Cox. Previously, Nikita was recognised as a recommended employment lawyer in Doyle’s Guide in 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 and 2022. Nikita has worked with national and mid-tier law firms prior to joining MDC Legal and also has experience as a volunteer solicitor with community legal centres. Nikita has previously sat on various not-for-profit committees, including Women Lawyers of Western Australia Inc. and is regularly invited to speak at both legal and human resources conferences in the area of employment law. Nikita has advocacy and negotiation experience in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia, the Magistrates, District and Supreme Courts of Western Australia, in the Fair Work Commission and the Western Australian Industrial Relations Commission and in the Western Australian Equal Opportunity Commission. She advises employees and employers on all aspects of State and Federal workplace laws, including unfair dismissals and general protections matters, contractual and statutory rights and obligations, the drafting and interpretation of employment contracts, restructures, performance management and termination and discrimination. Nikita also works with Human Resources practitioners and business owners in the development of workplace relations strategies, policies and procedures.
Email: [email protected]
As Office Manager, Tina provides high end executive support to the Director, Special Counsel, Senior Associates and Lawyers, as well as managing the firm’s Administration Team and the day to day operations of the office. Tina also provides paralegal assistance, including preparing court files and briefs to counsel, lodging court documents and assisting with client file management. Tina maintains all finance related functions, including trust account and records management and also oversees the firm’s marketing, business development and events management. Tina has over a decade’s experience working in diverse finance management and accounting roles across various industries. Tina has also completed a Bachelor of Education and has formerly worked as a teacher in the Early Childhood industry.
Email: [email protected]
Monica (BCom, Curtin University, LLB, Murdoch University) is a Lawyer at MDC Legal. Monica won the Law Society’s Emerging Lawyer of the Year Award in 2022. Monica has previous experience as a human resources consultant and as an industrial relations consultant advising employers on all aspects of employment relations. Prior to joining MDC Legal, Monica worked at a boutique workplace and commercial law firm in Melbourne and then as part of the litigation team in a Perth law firm. Monica has experience advising and advocating for both employees and employers and enjoys working with clients to achieve pragmatic outcomes.
Email: [email protected]
Jess (BA, Grad.Dip.Ed, JD, Murdoch University) joined MDC Legal in 2022. After ten years as a secondary English and Drama teacher, Jess completed a Juris Doctor and was admitted to practice in 2012. Jess was part of the workplace relations team at a mid-tier boutique firm for several years before taking time away from the legal profession to raise her two children and write a novel. Jess has also worked as a tutor at Murdoch University Law School and as a workplace relations advisor for a national HR consultancy. Jess enjoys finding practical and prompt solutions for clients and advises employers and employees on all aspects of employment and workplace laws.
Email: [email protected]
Lucy Wardle (BA, JD, University of Western Australia) is a Lawyer at MDC Legal. Lucy graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Western Australia in 2020 and completed her Practical Legal Training with the Piddington Society whilst working as a Law Graduate at MDC Legal. Lucy has assisted with preparing applications and responses for unfair dismissal and general protections claims, conducted legal research, and drafted advice to clients, deeds of settlement and letters to other parties. Prior to joining MDC Legal as a law clerk in February 2020 Lucy volunteered in a variety of university and community groups, including Legal Aid WA and the Citizens Advice Bureau.
Email: [email protected]
Thilini Kotuwegoda (BCom, JD, University of Western Australia) is a Law Graduate at MDC Legal. Thilini graduated with a Juris Doctor from the University of Western Australia in 2021 and is currently completing her Practical Legal Training with the College of Law. Thilini conducts legal research, drafts court documents, letters of advice and correspondence and assists lawyers with the management of client matters. Prior to joining MDC Legal, Thilini volunteered at several organisations, including Circle Green Community Legal Centre, where she assisted the Employment Law team and Gosnells Community Legal Centre, assisting the Domestic Violence team.
Email: [email protected]
Nicholas Morrison (BSc, Murdoch University) is a Law Clerk at MDC Legal and in his final semester of the Juris Doctor at the University of Western Australia. Nicholas performs legal research, drafting court documents, letters of advice and correspondence, and assisting lawyers with case management. Prior to joining MDC Legal, Nicholas clerked at Dwyer Durack and Gilchrist Connell as well as volunteering at the Mental Health Law Centre and at the Centre for Asylum Seekers, Refugees, and Detainees. Nicholas will be continuing as a Law Graduate with the firm in 2023.
