People

Our partners

Simon Morris | Managing Partner
+61 414 943 877
smorris@m2law.com.au

Matthew Mennilli | Partner
+61 423 391 516
mmennilli@m2law.com.au

Our team

Thomas Riddell | Senior Associate
+61 403 327 951
triddell@m2law.com.au

  • Thomas joined Morris Mennilli in 2022, having previously worked at a national law firm. He advises individuals, small businesses and large corporations in the resolution of complex and sensitive disputes. Thomas also assists both domestic and foreign companies in relation to public inquiries and regulatory investigations.

    Thomas has a proven track record in assisting clients with:

    • Financial services disputes before the Australian Financial Complaints Authority and Supreme and Federal Courts

    • Commercial litigation, including shareholder disputes, trustee disputes, franchise disputes, contractual disputes, insurance contracts and aviation/carrier liability disputes

    • Class actions

    • Third party litigation funding

    • Autonomous sanctions compliance and risk management

    • Senate inquiries

    Thomas has also been engaged as a sessional academic at Macquarie University and has tutored and examined International Law, Planning and Environmental Law and Professional and Community Engagement units.

Fred Linker | Senior Corporate Counsel
+61 407 101 849
flinker@m2law.com.au

  • Fred is a senior commercial lawyer, with experience in a top-tier law firm, leading investment bank, and multiple NYSE-listed US multinational technology companies.

    Fred combines first-class legal skills and client-focussed commercial acumen with a fine-tuned understanding of how to deliver desired business outcomes.

    Fred has a proven track record in assisting clients with:

    • Contract negotiation, infrastructure contracts, joint ventures, supply agreements, procurement and tendering

    • Complex corporate transactions including capital raisings, re-capitalisations, mergers and acquisitions

    • Regulatory and contractual issues relevant to the financial services industry

Christina Athanasopoulos - Associate
+61 421 438 245
cathanasopoulos@m2law.com.au

  • Prior to joining Morris Mennilli in 2022, Christina worked as a graduate lawyer with a national law firm. She graduated from Macquarie University in 2021, completing her law degree with Honours.

    Christina has experience in a range of complex disputes and transactions.  Christina has acted for individuals and companies in matters before the Supreme Court of New South Wales, the Federal and High Courts of Australia, and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal with respect to commercial disputes, regulatory prosecutions and reviews of administrative decision-making.

    Since commencing with Morris Mennilli, Christina has worked on matters including:

    • Acting for clans and individuals in relation to the environmental destruction of the Jaba-Kawerong river system and surrounding areas arising from the operation of the Panguna Copper Mine

    • Acting for RAMS home loan franchisees and accredited loan writers in relation to compliance with the Franchising Code of Conduct and the National Consumer Credit Protection Act

    • Acting for financial services businesses in ASIC regulatory investigations and related litigation 

    • Acting for a vendor in a dispute over the performance of a business sale contract 

    • Acting in Supreme Court proceedings in respect of a dispute about the ownership of intellectual property 

    • Acting for a property owner in a building and construction dispute 

    • Advising clients in the technology and financial services industries in various matters concerning compliance with financial services, credit, privacy and spam legislation and ASIC regulatory protocols

    • Successfully obtaining orders in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal setting aside a decision to cancel a permanent residency visa

Ella Adams - Associate
+61 404 904 206
eadams@m2law.com.au

  • Ella joined Morris Mennilli in 2023 having previously worked for a national law firm and as an Associate in the Federal Court system.  She is a graduate of the University of Technology, having completed her law degree with Honours in 2021.  

    Ella is a dispute resolution and litigation lawyer with broad experience in commercial and regulatory matters.  Prior to joining Morris Mennilli, she worked in life sciences, acting in contested matters and providing regulatory compliance advice.  

    Since commencing with Morris Mennilli, Ella has worked on matters including:

    • Defending passenger disputes against an international commercial airline

    • Acting for franchisees in disputes under the Franchising Code of Conduct

    While Ella completed her legal studies, she worked as an Associate in the Federal Circuit Court of Australia and the Registry of the Federal Court of Australia. Her pre-admission experience has equipped her with an in-depth understanding of litigation practice and procedure.

Matilda Byrne - Lawyer
+61 412 933 779
mbyrne@m2law.com.au

  • Matilda joined Morris Mennilli in 2023 after completing her law degree with Honours at Macquarie University. She was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the High Court of Australia in November 2023.

    Since commencing with Morris Mennilli, Matilda has worked on matters including:

    • Federal Court litigation concerning a dispute over the operations of an alumina refinery joint venture

    • Advising clients on the application of the Australian government’s autonomous sanctions regime

    • Acting for third party litigation funders in relation to the approval by the Supreme Court of New South Wales and the Federal Court of Australia of class action settlements and distribution schemes

    • Defending financial services firms in proceedings listed before the Federal Court of Australia and District Court of New South Wales

    • Acting for RAMS home loan franchisees in disputes under the Franchising Code of Conduct

    • Assisting with a complex acquisition of an Australian financial services licensee