Gemma Hannah

Expertise

Gemma is a Senior Associate in the Melbourne Dispute Resolution and Litigation team with a particular focus in Royal Commissions, regulatory investigations, white collar criminal law and complex commercial disputes.

Gemma acts for corporate entities, government departments and individual clients in matters in all Victorian courts and in the Federal Court of Australia.

Gemma’s areas of practice include:

• Royal Commissions and Commissions of Inquiry
• Regulatory investigations and prosecutions
• White collar criminal defence  
• Commercial/contractual disputes
• Wills and estates disputes.

Gemma is named a Rising Star in the 2024 listing of Victorian commercial litigation and insolvency lawyers by Doyle's Guide.

Experience

Gemma has acted in a number of high profile disputes and inquiries. Some examples of her recent work include:

• acting for Comcare and an individual in the Royal Commission into the Robodebt Scheme
• acting for Comcare in the Royal Commission into Defence and Veteran Suicide
• acting for the State of Victoria in the Royal Commission into the Casino Operator and Licence
• acting as a solicitor assisting the Royal Commission into the Management of Police Informants
• acting for an ASX listed company in a claim against its former auditor
• defending a company and its directors facing prosecutions commenced by the EPA and a local council
• acting for an individual director in defending claims by company of breaches of directors’ and fiduciary duties
• providing strategic advice to the Department of Defence
• acting for a large joint venture in an action against a Council for wasted expenditure
• acting for an individual in a defamation claim against a former colleague
• acting for a family in a Coronial inquest which related to access to firearms and family violence
• defending an incorporated association in respect of claims brought against it in VCAT, the County Court and the Supreme Court of Victoria
• acting for executors and beneficiaries in testator family maintenance claims.

Gemma regularly acts in pro bono matters and frequently represents asylum seekers and people in need who are unable to access legal services.