COGENT LEGAL - Key Persons
Adam is a solicitor with experience in property law, migration law, criminal law and commercial litigation (including VCAT). Adam studied law at Monash University and holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts in politics.
He excels in research and drafting of commercial claims and is passionate about commercial law. He holds a wealth of knowledge in property law, including property settlements.
When he is not acting as a lawyer, Adam enjoys participating in sports, including Jiu Jitsu and swimming.
Bianca has recently graduated from RMIT and will continue as a solicitor at Cogent Legal as she is qualified and licensed. She currently assists the solicitors with their work.
Bianca enjoys tort law as well as family law. She is interested in helping clients achieve outcomes to create an enjoyable experience for both the client and the lawyer's fulfilment.
Bianca is proud of her achievement in winning the 2023 Moot Competition at RMIT.
When she is not acting as a law graduate, Bianca enjoys running, training and supporting her sister who is training for the heptathlon at an international level.
Job Titles:
- Senior Solicitor
- Member of the Asian Australian Lawyers Associating
Celia practices primarily in family law, employment law, criminal law and commercial law. She has extensive experience appearing for clients in the Courts of Victoria and Canberra. Having previously worked for ASIC, Celia brings a wealth of knowledge to advice on the Corporations Act and the Insurance Contracts Act.
Celia is a linguist, fluent in Cantonese and Mandarin, in addition to English and also sepaks Japanese and French.
Job Titles:
- Practice Manager
- Member of CPA Australia
Cynthia manages all aspects of the law office administration and is currently studying in the Juris Doctor program.
Cynthia is a Member of CPA Australia, the Institute of Public Accountants and the Institute of Financial Accountants. She is a Fellow of the National Tax and Accountants' Association and is a Registered Tax Agent. She holds a Bachelor of Accounting and Bachelor of Psychology.
Cynthia has experience in the area of corporate executive leadership, which includes advising on finance strategies, mitigating risk profiles and creating efficiencies in financial management. She is also experienced with negotiating complex significant debts in the areas of taxation.
When she is not working, Cynthia enjoys singing with the local community choir.
Elise Steegstra is a qualified lawyer with 12 years of experience as a Patent & Trade Mark Administrator.
She is the a seasoned board member in the not-for-profit sector and passionate about diversity, inclusion and empowering women.
Elise is skilled in governance, legal research and drafting as well as assisting clients with commercial litigation and employment law needs.
Having practiced in commercial law for over 18 years, in multiple jurisdictions within Australia, Glenn combines experience, expertise and commercial understanding to assist clients to reach commercial outcomes and achieve business goals.
Glenn acts for a wide range of clients including large corporations and family operated businesses, real estate developers, manufacturing and importing/exporting businesses.
Glenn brings a common sense and pragmatic perspective of the legal aspects of business and commercial law to advise and assist clients in relation to the acquisition, operation, growth and sale of businesses as well as commercial disputes by acting as a trusted advisor to analyse opportunities with clients and advise on potential pitfalls and opportunities.
Jacqui attends law school at Deakin University and is working towards a double degree in Law and Commerce.
Jacqui enjoys corporate law and property law.
In her life as a student, Jacqui has been the Pipe Major of the Junior Pipes & Drums Band and the Pipe Sergeant of the Senior Pipes & Drums Band. She was awarded the Duke of Edinburgh and achieved school awards in the areas of Music, including Pipes & Drums, Academics and Leadership. At university, Jacqui was a semi-finalist in the Law Society's ‘Client Interviews' Competition.
When she is not studying to be a lawyer, Jacqui enjoys reading, practicing the cello and playing hockey.
Mary acts as an accounting and bookkeeping team member for Cogent Legal. Mary is currently studying Accounting at Monash University.
When she is not working, Mary enjoys spending time with her family, taking long walks and looking after her dog and cats.
Mary speaks English and Russian.
Meg acts as the accounts and accounting team member for Cogent Legal.
Milton joins Cogent Legal after being a pilot for Cathay Pacific for over 13 years.
He excels in research and drafting of commercial claims and is passionate about aviation law.
Milton speaks Cantonese and Mandarin Chinese.
Job Titles:
- Principal
- Solicitor
- Founder and Principal Solicitor
Murphy Hawkins is the founder and Principal Solicitor of Cogent Legal Pty Ltd.
He has studied in both the United States as well as in Australia; with a background in Chemistry and Engineering, then extending to an this to a MBA and MCom (Master's degree in commerce and Master's degree in business administration from Deakin University) as well as a Juris Doctor from RMIT.
Before becoming a solicitor in Australia, Murphy has worked in Human Resources for an ASX 200 company as well as working in banking and finance. He has owned businesses and knows, first-hand, how it feels to be a small business owner in Australia.
Murphy has worked for Balfe and Webb, Canaan Lawyers and PCL Lawyers before opening his own law firm.
Ola currently attends law school at Monash University and is working towards a double degree in Law and Politics, Philosophy & Economics (PPE).
Ola is interested in legal research and policy development.
When she is not studying to be a lawyer, Ola enjoys reading and is an avid writer.
Paula Appelhans earned her JD from Washburn University Law School in the US, a degree in Health Care Law and Human Rights from University of Essex (UK), and is a qualified Solicitor to practice in Australia.
Paula's experience has focused on health care commercial, administrative, and regulatory matters in the US, UK, ASEAN and Australia. Paula's approach brings operational and legal experience together. Paula's legal research and policy initiatives have focused on UN Convention on Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) in ASEAN and access to the highest attainable health strategies specifically, in Singapore and Viet Nam.
Paula continues to advise on health care law revisions and regulations in Viet Nam utilising an international comparative approach to licensing and scope of practice for allied health professionals, Traditional Medicine, medical facility accreditation and working with the WHO on a National Rehabilitation Strategy for Viet Nam.
Paula has made Melbourne her permanent home. Paula serves on several local not for profit boards and is a co-founder of ExpatWomen@Work. Paula enjoys her motorcycle, her dog Milos, softball and a good pub trivia night.
Sam attends law school at Monash University and is working towards a double degree in Law and Commerce with a specialisation in Finance.
Sam is interested in commercial law including restructuring, M&A and corporate disputes. He supports our corporate law area while he studies.
In his life as a student, Sam is an IB scholar and a Senior Events Coordinator for the Business Commerce Students Society.
When he is not studying to be a lawyer, Sam enjoys supporting the Western Bulldogs and Manchester United, playing soccer, and keeping fit.
Subi is well-versed in civil litigation, commercial law, and immigration, with experience across Victoria and NSW jurisdictions.
Subi graduated with first-class honours from Victoria University and holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social and Political Science from the University of Technology Sydney. Currently pursuing a Master of Public and International Law at the University of Melbourne, Subi is fluent in Chinese (Mandarin), Uyghur, Uzbek, and Turkish. His language skills significantly enhance his ability to serve a diverse clientele.
Outside of Law, Subi actively involves in the Australian Institute of International Affairs and demonstrates his commitment to professional growth and community engagement. He also plays soccer for RMIT, demonstrating his commitment to maintaining a balanced and engaged lifestyle.
Timea acts as an accounting team member for Cogent Legal. She holds a Master of Business Administration, a Bachelor of Physical Education and a Cert IV in Accounting and Bookkeeping.
In her spare time, Timea enjoys playing handball through Handball Victoria and volunteering in the local community.
Timea speaks English and Hungarian.
Vaish currently attends law school at Monash University and is working towards a double degree in the areas of Law and Criminology.
Vaish enjoys employment law, family law and property law. Vaish brings to Cogent Legal her experience from the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre where she worked as a paralegal and caseworker in the area of immigration law.
When she is not studying to be a lawyer, Vaish enjoys playing tennis and binging media.
Xavier currently attends law school at Australian Catholic University and is working towards a double degree in the areas Law and Psychology.
Xavier enjoys torts law and corporations law.
When he is not studying to be a lawyer, Xavier enjoys singing, writing and walking.