ALPASS - Key Persons


Adele Siwek

Job Titles:
  • Law Clerk
Practice Areas: Residential Conveyancing Adele commenced working in law in both city and suburban legal firms in 1984. Adele helps clients through the process of buying, selling and transferring ownership of a property from start to finish. Adele offers clients the opportunity to ask questions and provides clear advice concerning client's conveyancing transactions. Adele takes pride in her work and is a good communicator so as to keep clients well informed as to the progress of their conveyancing transactions.

Alan Alpass - Founder

Job Titles:
  • Founder
  • Principal
  • Solicitor
The principal and founder of Alpass & Associates, Alan Alpass has been in legal practice for over 4 decades. In 1975 Alan was the youngest lawyer admitted to sole practice in Victoria. Alan is highly experienced in litigation, including will and estate disputes, family law, business law, crime and employment law. His extensive community networking and easy manner has enabled him to become well known and comfortably approached by clients seeking advice as to their legal options and remedies in these and numerous other legal areas. Alan's interests outside of law include classic motor vehicle eventing, gardening, keeping fit and, when time permits, overseas travel with his family and friends.

Cherryl Heath

Job Titles:
  • Receptionist ( Rosebud Office )
Cherryl began working at Alpass & Associates in 2018. She now works part-time at our Rosebud office looking after reception managing our archive storage and carrying out various administrative duties. Having previously worked in media and corporate affairs, Cherryl enjoys interacting with people. Her friendly welcome helps clients feel comfortable when visiting Alpass & Associates. In her spare time, Cherryl's interests are family, interior design and decorating and entertaining.

Jane Slattery

Job Titles:
  • Personal Legal Assistance / Receptionist ( Rosebud Office )
Jane commenced working at Alpass & Associates in 2021 as receptionist at our Rosebud office. Jane quickly made herself an invaluable member of the team by also assisting in our busy Family Law division. Jane has been employed in the legal industry for 30 years now, working as a PA in top tier and middle-sized CBD law firms in both Personal Injury Litigation and Intellectual Property/Trade Mark Law, as well as doing transcription of Court Hearings in the Family Court of Australia, Federal Circuit Court, VCAT & Magistrates' Court matters. More recently having experience in a smaller suburban firm with Wills, Family Law, Probate and Part IV matters. Jane is hardworking and her cheerful disposition immediately helps clients know they are in good hands.

Kirsten Van Middelkoop

Job Titles:
  • Accounts Manager
  • Assistant
  • Accounts Manager / Personal Legal Assistant
Practice Areas: Office Administration / Family Law Kirsten is in charge of our accounts department and has been with Alpass & Associates since 1994. Kirsten also assists as a personal legal assistant and has broad experience in a number of different areas including family law, conveyancing and wills. Kirsten also manages our deed register, so if you have any queries in relation to deeds or payment of accounts, please contact Kirsten.

Laurie Cavill

Job Titles:
  • Senior Associate
  • Member of the Family Law Section of the Law Institute of Victoria
Practice Areas: Family law Laurie was admitted to practice in 1984 and, although he has practiced in a number of areas of law over the years, during the past 2 decades, he has practiced exclusively in family law. Laurie is well acquainted with the difficulties separating couples confront when trying to resolve difficult issues and in particular, the stresses associated with division of the assets of their relationship. Laurie is a member of the Family Law Section of the Law Institute of Victoria and the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia. He has written articles on family law issues for publication in various journals and frequently appears as an advocate in the Family Court and Federal Circuit Court. Laurie is married with two children and away from the law is an avid Hawthorn supporter as well as enjoying surfing, skiing, cricket and music.

Lea Wright

Job Titles:
  • Law Clerk
Practice Areas: Estates, Wills & Powers Lea is an experienced Law Clerk having worked in various areas of law over the last 30 years, including litigation, property and commercial law. Lea has been with Alpass & Associates since 2006 and now concentrates on drafting wills, powers of attorney and the administration of estates. Clients will benefit from her professional and compassionate nature when dealing with the sensitive issues which surround this area of practice. Lea is an experienced Law Clerk working in drafting wills,

Maria La Civita

Job Titles:
  • Bookkeeper
Practice Areas: Office Administration Maria began working in our accounting department in June 2022 and brings with her 30 plus years of experience working in various legal offices in Melbourne where she undertook a variety of bookkeeping duties. Maria has a strong work ethic and friendly personality which makes her a valuable addition to our team. Maria works in our accounting department and has over 17 years

Nina Sheedy

Job Titles:
  • Solicitor
Practice Areas - Conveyancing / Common Law Nina was admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria in February 2013 and started her legal career with busy CBD practices where she gained experience as a paralegal, conveyancing and property law clerk. Nina has had experience across an array of property related matters ranging from leasing to multi lot property transactions. Since starting a family and moving to the Eastern Suburbs in 2017, Nina has been busy assisting a number of firms on a casual basis in all things conveyancing. It is then she appeared on our radar as a hardworking and dedicated worker and finally joined Alpass & Associates in February 2020. Nina is working along side our Solicitors on a wide variety of matters. She is passionate about achieving the best outcomes for our clients in the most efficient and transparent manner. Nina is also proficient in Russian. Outside of work Nina is a busy mum of two young children who everyday challenge her mediation, negotiation and diplomacy skills.

Preet Kainth

Job Titles:
  • Receptionist
Practice Areas: Office Administration Preet recently joined Alpass & Associates as our part-time receptionist greeting clients and assisting them over the phone. Preet also looks after archiving and other office administrative duties. Preet is a first year university student currently doing Bachelor of Laws (Honours)/Bachelor of Criminology at La Trobe University. Preet is courteous and hard-working, she also speaks four languages.

Renee Bugeja

Job Titles:
  • Receptionist
Practice Areas: Office Administration Renee recently joined Alpass & Associates as our part-time receptionist and assists other staff members in our Commercial Law division. Renee has been studying Bachelor of Laws since 2020 at Deakin University. Renee is enthusiastic and organised, and enjoys helping others.

Vicki Loughrey

Job Titles:
  • Personal Legal Assistant
Vicki has experience in a variety of legal areas including litigation, Vicki commenced working in law in 1985. She has worked in large CBD legal firms specialising in work care and motor vehicle claims. Vicki has been with Alpass & Associates providing legal assistance since 2013 and has experience in a variety of legal areas including litigation, criminal, estate disputes, agreements, commercial leases, contracts, debt recovery, VCAT and VOCAT. Vicki enjoys helping others and is meticulous with her work.