ZAPARAS - Key Persons
Aleksandra has a professional yet caring approach to her work at Zaparas Lawyers, recognising that no two clients or cases are the same.
She understands that the WorkCover process can be stressful and confusing for clients, and aims to keep them informed on the progress of their matter and the options available to them.
Aleksandra takes a tailored and meticulous approach to each client's matter, ensuring that every avenue is explored when it comes to assisting injured workers in obtaining the compensation to which they are entitled.
She was attracted to work at Zaparas Lawyers as its core values - of helping people to achieve just outcomes, mirrored her own. She also loves the supportive and friendly culture within the firm.
In her free time, Aleksandra enjoys spending time with her friends and family, writing and exploring the great outdoors.
Ammar is a personal injury lawyer based in our Epping office, currently specialising in WorkCover matters.
He is passionate about being a fierce advocate for his clients and providing them with the confidence that they are being heard.
He enjoys the simple things in life and is happiest with a cup of chai latte in hand.
Andjelka is a Lawyer based in our Epping office, specialising in WorkCover claims.
She was driven to work at Zaparas Lawyers due to the culture, inspiration and motivation that allows individuals to thrive and be the best version of themselves personally and professionally.
This environment is what allows Andjelka to be able to build trust and provide ongoing support to her clients throughout their journey, it is what she enjoys most.
Away from work, Andjelka can be found spending time with family and friends, and sampling all of Melbourne's booming food scene has to offer.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Oakleigh / Senior Associate
Anita is a Senior Associate based in our Oakleigh office, specialising in WorkCover claims. Anita has 11 years' experience in the area of personal injury law. She holds a double degree in Law and Arts from Monash University.
Anita is committed to ensuring all injured workers have access to the legal system and their full compensation entitlements. She is motivated to fight for her clients to achieve deserving outcomes.
Away from work, Anita enjoys spending time with her family and friends, reading, and keeping fit and healthy.
With a record seven cases successfully settled in four months, Arzu Erdem is a results-focused lawyer.
She is hardworking, dedicated and passionate in her approach and always aims to get the best possible outcome for her clients.
She also has a genuine desire to help make life a little easier for people who are facing a difficult time in their lives.
Arzu began her career at Zaparas Lawyers as a paralegal and law clerk, before joining the firm's team of lawyers.
She speaks Turkish fluently and has experience working in the Magistrates' and County courts.
Job Titles:
- Branch Manager
- Senior Associate
- Bendigo / Senior Associate
Cathryn Wardrop is a Senior Associate and branch manager based in our Bendigo office. She was drawn to a career in personal injury law as a way to help people navigate one of the most difficult times in their lives.
Cathryn grew up on a rural property near Bendigo and although her studies brought her down to Melbourne, she couldn't wait to get back to the country. She now lives on a hobby farm outside of Bendigo.
Working at Zaparas Lawyers has given Chloe Kells a firsthand insight into the difficulties faced by people who have suffered life changing injuries at work or as the result of a car accident.
This insight has instilled in her a desire to support her clients in any way she can.After working for several large corporate firms, she values the unique and friendly work environment at Zaparas Lawyers - and is proud to be part of a team working to change people's lives.
Outside work, she enjoys spending time with her husband, friends and family, while she also has a passion for travel.
Dylan Walters is a Lawyer in Zaparas Lawyers' Oakleigh office, but commonly travels to our offices in Epping, Werribee, Cranbourne and Sunshine.
Dylan has varied experience in the legal profession, having exposure to several Personal Injury practices. Dylan is practicing in Public Liability, Motor Vehicle Accidents and WorkCover claims at Zaparas Lawyers.
Dylan holds a Bachelor of Behavioural Neuroscience and a Juris Doctor from Monash University.
Emelia is an Associate Workcover Lawyer at the Zaparas Lawyers Oakleigh Office. Since 2016 Emelia has been admitted as a lawyer and has worked in various practice areas of personal injury law.
In Workcover law, she has had experience working in a Workcover Insurer and a Workcover Defendant law firm.
Emelia has lived in regional Victoria and is now back in Melbourne to assist clients at our Oakleigh office.
Awarded the Leo Cussen Centre for Law's inaugural prize for Excellence in Client Communication' in 2014, Gabriella Boyd's skills in this area have enabled her to achieve many successful outcomes for her clients.
Across her years of practice to date, certain cases stand out as particular triumphs. Gabriella is especially proud of obtaining compensation from the Transport Accident Commission (TAC) for an elderly client whose youthful nature belied their advanced years, and for another client who was 15 years late in lodging their application for compensation. Both had sustained serious injuries in traffic accidents, and were very deserving of their successful results.
Gabriella was drawn to personal injury law for its plaintiff-oriented approach, and the desire to help vulnerable people through a difficult time in their lives.
Fluent in Russian and German, she joined Zaparas Lawyers in 2015 for its family-oriented nature and culture of caring.
Gabriella values giving back to the community; and is proud to volunteer her skills to the Springvale Monash Legal Service night advice service.
In her spare time, Gabriella is an archery enthusiast and a passionate soccer fan - following Arsenal in the English Premier League and several Victorian grassroots clubs. She is also the devoted owner of two chocolate Labradors.
Georgia Walker is a WorkCover and TAC Lawyer in our Zaparas Lawyers Bendigo office.
Georgia has taken a dedicated approach to personal injury law since starting with Zaparas Lawyers.
Georgia brings empathy and care to the management of personal injury claims, ensuring that her clients understand the process, are informed and feel heard.
Georgia takes great pride in consistently achieving the best possible outcomes for her clients who suffer from work and road-related injuries.
Georgia enjoys travelling, gardening, and reading.
Practice Areas
WorkCover, TAC (Road Accident)
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Public Liability Team Leader
With his dedicated approach to personal injury law, Georgio has focused heavily on Public Liability claims since he started with Zaparas Lawyers.
Georgio brings an empathic approach to personal injury claims, ensuring that his clients have a clear understanding of the process and are always informed about the next steps.
Grace is a Lawyer in the Sunshine office, specialising in WorkCover claims.
Coming from a legal and customer service background, Grace has crossed paths with many people who have experienced significant challenges in their lives. Grace approaches these situations with an open mind, empathy and understanding.
This is what motivated Grace to work in personal injury law, enabling her to help injured workers achieve justice in times of adversity.
In her spare time, she enjoys being with family and friends, reading and hiking in nature (often with her dog, Mika).
Job Titles:
- Branch Manager
- Senior Associate
Harry is a Senior Associate and branch manager based in Zaparas Lawyers Sunshine office.
For Harry Hatzis, it is the people he helps who inspire him.
Like the factory worker, who he helped to have his weekly compensation payments reinstated, enabling him to continue to support his partner and two young sons.
Or the aging labourer, for whom he helped obtain a lump sum compensation payment after years of suffering.
Harry says it is the gratitude shown by clients such as these that motivates him to achieve outcomes that make a significant impact on people's lives.
A fluent Greek speaker, Harry is an AFL fan who enjoys spending time with family and friends.
Isabelle is a Lawyer in the Zaparas Lawyers Werribee office, specialising in WorkCover claims.
Isabelle has worked in the industry since 2018 and has worked predominately in Workers' Compensation.
Isabelle understands how difficult it can be to access the justice system. This is why Isabelle has continued to work in personal injury law to help injured workers access compensation, achieve justice, and ensure they understand their rights and entitlements under the relevant scheme.
James is passionate about personal injury law, seeing it as an opportunity to restore the power imbalance for his clients.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Solicitor
- WorkCover Associate
Janet Tucci is a WorkCover Associate in Zaparas Lawyers Epping office. Janet is an experienced solicitor helping clients with workers' compensation and related common law claims. Janet enjoys providing comprehensive legal advice in a way that can be easily understood by the client.
Janet has more than 10 years experience within personal injury law and has extensive experience across WorkCover, TAC and Public Liability. Janet is an avid reader and moviegoer and enjoys spending time with her extended family and friends. Janet likes escaping to the country for a break.
John is a strong advocate for the rights of everyday Australians and passionately believes in the need for high quality and affordable legal assistance. Throughout his career, John has handled several landmark cases and conducted extensive litigation in the Victorian Magistrates', County and Supreme Courts. John has also co-authored the Victorian Worker's Compensation chapter of Halsbury's Laws of Australia.
Having worked in personal injury law for over 15 years, Karen is an experienced Senior Associate who is committed to achieving the very best results for her clients. In achieving this, Karen possesses a passion for the rights of those injured on Australia's roads as well as at work.
Formally entering the legal practice in 2007, Karen brings her experience to Zaparas Lawyers from past law firms, including working in the areas of WorkCover, TAC, Public Liability, and Institutional abuse. It is due to this experience that she believes in reducing the stress of meeting with a lawyer and operating with her clients as personally and smoothly as possible. This mentality is what led Karen to come work at Zaparas Lawyers, attracted to the strong family culture regarding both the employees and clients, as well as the commitment and passion to delivering the best outcomes for their clients.
Outside of work, Karen holds a love for travelling, when possible, as well as an equally strong love for music, food and the outdoors.
Job Titles:
- Senior Associate
- Senior Associate in Zaparas Lawyers Oakleigh
Kehela Vandenberg is a Senior Associate in Zaparas Lawyers Oakleigh office. Kehela has expertise in WorkCover, Industrial and Occupational disease claims including those relating to respirable crystalline silica exposure, asbestos and chemical exposures.
Kehela aims to be the constant force in the lives of her clients, helping to smooth their journey through the often difficult and confusing world of insurers and defendants. She gains great satisfaction in achieving wins on behalf of her client, or even just knowing that she has made their life a little easier by clarifying their entitlements under the law.
Kehela says "A lawyer should never underestimate the impact they have on their client, not just in the work they do, but in the way they communicate and show a willingness to fight on their behalf."
Kehela is an active volunteer in community service as a member of the Rotary Club of Mount Waverley. She was appointed President of the Rotary Club of Monash, an Assistant Governor of Rotary International District 9810 for 2019-21 and is the current Chair of her District's Rotary Alumni Committee. She also has had over 10 years of involvement in the organisation and running of the District's Rotary Youth Leadership Award, an annual professional and personal development program for 18-30-year-olds.
Her interests include travelling, culinary adventures, reading, theatre, and trying new things such as rap jumping and parasailing.
The most touching moment of her career so far is having a client name their baby after her.
Practice Areas
Occupational Diseases, Asbestos, Silicosis, WorkCover
With an exceptional work ethic and enthusiastic and passionate approach, Lara has a depth of experience in personal injury law.
She strives to convey legal advice to clients in a simple and straightforward manner and values the opportunity to help injured clients.
She was attracted to working at Zaparas Lawyers for its reputation within the legal industry, and its values of honesty, integrity, passion and respect.
When not working to secure the best possible outcomes for her clients, Lara enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling and being outdoors.