YOUR HAPPINESS DEFINES OUR SUCCESS
We don't see ourselves as your lawyers.
We see ourselves as your happiness coaches.
We solve problems.
But we are more interested in empowering you to find happiness.
CLAIRE TAN
Juris Doctor, LL.M, BSc (Hons)
MARN 1796092
Background
Summary of her legal career
Claire became a qualified lawyer in August 2013 and worked as a class action lawyer at a renowned national plaintiff law firm where she was involved in four high-profile cases. She then joined a boutique law firm and practised in commercial law, dispute resolution, litigation and family law. She then founded her own law firm and extended her expertise to property law and migration.
Her Law Firm
Having seen many unhappy lawyers and peers who left legal practice due to billable stress, toxic leadership and culture, her aspiration is to create a platform for happy lawyers.
Happy lawyers enjoy their work, hence create quality work and happy clients.
Why Law
As a litigator, she cannot tolerate injustice and wants to help people. Being a pragmatist, she prefers a Win/Win outcome than a Win/Lose or Lose/Lose outcome.
As a property lawyer, she has acted for foreign purchasers, first home buyers, and property developers. She is a property enthusiast and regularly surfs and reads about property development and investment.
As a commercial lawyer, she likes to put herself in the shoes of the business owners. She is particularly interested in start-ups and innovative business ideas.
As a family lawyer, she is not a fan of the volatile nature of the practice, but finds it rewarding if she is able to empower her clients to move on from a toxic relationship.
Her Strengths
Strategic, analytical, pragmatic and creative - she exhibited these strengths in her work, particularly in the dispute resolution practice area.
Having been a litigation technology coordinator and discovery paralegal, she is able to deal with large volume of discovery documents and identify the issues and evidence to support a case.
Honesty - she offers honest opinions and recommendations to her clients.
Before Law
Her career portfolio prior to becoming a lawyer was somewhat interesting: she was a researcher in the area of neuroscience, a technician in cancer research, and a skewer business owner. She finally settled in her legal career, not merely because she enjoys solving problems, but also because she enjoys empowering people to be a better version of themselves and to find long-term happiness through the practice of law.
Outside of Law
Outside of law, she is the president of one of Melbourne's oldest dragon boat clubs, a self-taught cook, and a dragon boat athlete. She also likes to draw and paint. Others described her as being bold, sometimes rebellious, doesn't like to conform and always challenges the status quo. Creativity is an integral part of her work.
Languages
She speaks fluent Mandarin and Cantonese.
Experience
Dispute Resolution and Litigation
-
Property dispute - claiming equitable interests, defended proprietary interest, default of property purchase, delayed settlement, caveat.
-
Partnership/Shareholders dispute - money claim due to breakdown of partnership/shareholders relationship in business venture (settled on favourable terms).
-
Fair work - defended employer from claim of underpayment in the Federal Circuit Court (settled on favourable terms).
-
Liquidation and shareholder loan - defended shareholder from liquidator's claim (compromised and settled).
-
Voluntary administration and insolvent trading - defended directors from liquidator's claim of insolvent trading (claims abandoned and company was successfully de-registered).
-
Lease dispute - Notice to remedy breach of lease and notice of re-entry. Recovery of rent and outgoings. Mediation at the Small Business Commission.
-
Defamation - negotiated for client who made defamatory statements and settled on much favourable settlement deal.
-
Centrelink debt - challenged Centrelink's claim for over $110,000 debt in the AAT and obtained reduction and waiver of debt to $65,000.
-
Estate dispute - defended client in undue influence and property claims. Complex matter involving testator's capacity to make Wills.
-
Criminal defence - money laundering, assault, drug possession and family violence related criminal charges.
Family
-
Divorce Application
-
Binding Financial Agreement
-
Property/Financial Settlement
-
Child custody and parenting plan
-
Federal Circuit Court and Family Court
-
Complex family litigation
-
Mediation and alternative dispute resolution
Criminal Defence
-
Bail application
-
Plea hearing and mitigation
-
Trial and contest
-
Negotiation with prosecutor, police informant, Victoria Police and Australia Federal Police.
-
Offences include: money laundering, assault, family violence, stalking, drug possession, illegal importation, traffic offences etc.
Property
-
Property advice and conveyancing - acted for vendor and purchaser in sale/purchase of properties, small scale subdivision, partitioning, transactions involving foreign purchasers, FPAD and FIRB, advice of stamp duty, land tax, GST, residential vacancy tax, absentee surcharge and some planning law requirements.
-
Commercial properties - sale/purchase of commercial properties involving complex deals.