Jim Mellas

Jim Mellas was admitted to practice in 1985 and has been in legal practice for over 32 years. Prior to signing the Bar Roll Jim was a Partner of McKean Park Lawyers and head of their Family Law department. Jim was a member of the Executive Committee of the Family Law Section of the Law Institute of Victoria and is also a member of the Courts Practice Committee.

Throughout his 32 years in the law Jim has practised predominantly in Family Law having become an LIV Accredited Specialist in Family Law in 1991. His practice coves all aspects of Family Law including Property, Defacto Relationships, Parenting and Financial Agreements. He has particular experience in complex financial family law matters involving companies, trusts and family businesses. Jim has also had experience in Criminal Law matters as well as Trust and Estate matters.

Jim is a regular speaker at legal seminars and conferences and has spoken on a range of subjects from Family Law and Defacto Relationships to succession planning and family business. Jim has had a number of papers published on a range of topics including Binding Financial Agreements, Defacto Relationships, Expert Witnesses, Proprietary Estoppel, Trusts and Estate Planning and Family Law. He has also featured in a number educational DVDs on Family Law.

Jim has been recognised as a Leading Family Law Barrister in Victoria (Doyles Guide, 1 December 2017). 

In the mid 1990’s, Jim also had a regular legal segment on 3AW speaking on various legal matters. Jim later appeared as a semi regular guest on 2UE’s speaking on Family Law matters.

Outside of the law, Jim is a former director of the South Melbourne Football Club and in that capacity was heavily involved in the negotiations with the Victorian State Government for the $50 million redevelopment of the Lakeside Oval at Albert Park. In 2008 Jim also lead a consortium known as Southern Cross FC which was bidding for the second A League licence in Melbourne. Jim was also a delegate to the 2001 Corowa Peoples (Constitutional) Conference.