Peter Guy

Peter is a director of Kennedy Guy. He joined the firm in 1987 after working as in house counsel for a national company. Peter was appointed as a partner to the firm in 1992 and became a director when the firm incorporated.

An initiative of the Law Institute of Victoria has been to accredit specialists in various fields. Peter was one of the first lawyers to be accredited as a Business Law Specialist. To be accredited, a lawyer must work
substantially in that area and pass an examination set by the LIV. Annually, the specialist must prove to the LIV that the lawyer has attended sufficient continuing education seminars to keep up to date with changes to the law. The lawyer must then apply for reaccreditation each three years.

Peter has vast Business Law and Property Law experience. He acts for large and small businesses and property developers in matters involving structuring, town planning, buying and selling property (including broad acre and high density developments), licensing, buying or selling businesses, franchising, business succession, commercial agreements and restructuring.

Commercial litigation is an integral part of Business Law. Most businesses have an experience of litigation at some stage. Peter has conducted all types of commercial litigation for his business clients including
Supreme Court cases, Federal Court cases and Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal Hearings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws
• Bachelor of Economics (Accounting major)
• Accredited by the Law Institute of Victoria as a Specialist in Business Law (since 1991)
• Member Law Institute of Victoria
• Member of the Business Law Advisory Committee of the LIV
• Member Taxation Institute of Australia

Key Dates

• Admitted to Practice 1986
• Accredited Specialist 1991

Areas of Practice

•  Business Law
• Property Law

Peter Gerard Renwick

Peter is a consultant to Kennedy Guy.

He joined the firm in 1997 after working in general legal practice since admission in 1990. Peter was appointed a partner of the firm in 2000 and became a director when the firm incorporated. He recently became a consultant.

Peter has worked in Family Law since admission and has vast experience in the negotiation of settlements, the running of matters through the Family Court system (both children and property) and dealing with property disputes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws
• Bachelor of Economics (Accounting major)
• Accredited by the Law Institute of Victoria as a Specialist in Family Law (since 1998)
• Member Law Institute of Victoria
• Director of Western Legal Services

Key Dates

• Admitted to Practice 1990
• Accredited Specialist 1998

Areas of Practice

• Family Law
• Wills & Estates

James O’Donnell

James has extensive experience assisting clients with a range of disputes in litigation including building and construction disputes, general contractual disputes, leasing disputes and insurance disputes.

Qualifications

• Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
• Bachelor of Laws from the Deakin University
• Bachelor of Social Science (Legal and Dispute Studies)

Key Dates

• Admitted to practice in 2014
• Acquired experience in a general practice firm in 2015 and a boutique building and construction law until mid-2018
• Joined the litigation team at Kennedy Guy in August 2018

Areas of practice

• Commercial litigation
• Civil litigation
• Building and construction disputes
• Debt recovery
• Bankruptcy and creditors petitions
• General insolvency and winding up applications
• Experience including: VCAT; AAT; Magistrates Court of Victoria; County Court of Victoria; Supreme Courts of Victoria, Tasmania and NSW; District Courts of NSW and Queensland; and the Federal Court of Australia

Georgina Carson

Georgina joined Kennedy Guy in early 2018 and practices in family law matters. Georgina is committed to assisting clients to achieve the best outcome for their matter in a practical and cost-effective manner. Prior to joining Kennedy Guy, Georgina worked as a lawyer practising in both family law and commercial litigation.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts/Commerce- Monash University
• Master of Laws (Juris Doctor)- Monash University

Key Dates

• Admitted to practice in 2016

Areas of practice

• Family law matters including property settlements, parenting matters and divorce
• Family violence intervention orders

Jia Wen Poh

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts (Honours in Psychology) (Melb)
• Juris Doctor (Melb)

Key Dates

• Admitted to practice in 2018
• Joined the litigation team at Kennedy Guy in February 2015

Areas of practice

• Commercial litigation
• Experience – various jurisdictions including VCAT, Magistrates Court, County Court, Supreme Court and
• Federal Court
• Conversant with court technology in various jurisdictions
• Languages – English and Mandarin

James Penman

James has experience assisting clients with a range of legal matters, including civil disputes and litigation matters, debt recovery, enforcement of judgements against debtors and advising clients
regarding Owners Corporations (formerly Body Corporates) and Associated Incorporations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws (Hons.)
• Bachelor of Arts (Politics major)
• Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
• Member of the Law Institute of Victoria

Key Dates

• Admitted to Practice in 2017
• Acquired experience in a general practice law firm in rural Victoria from 2017 to 2019
• Joined the litigation team at Kennedy Guy in February 2019

Areas of practice

• Debt recovery
• Enforcement of judgments against debtors
• Civil litigation
• Commercial litigation
• Leases
• Owners Corporations
• Associated Incorporations

Suzanne Carey-Thomas

Suzanne joined Kennedy Guy in 2019 and practices in family law matters. Suzanne is committed to assisting clients to achieve the best outcome for their matter in a practical and cost-effective manner. Prior to joining Kennedy Guy, Suzanne worked as a lawyer practising in both family law and family violence. Suzanne was admitted to practice in 2017 after many years of working with families as a Maternal & Child Health Nurse.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws (Graduate Entry)
• Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
• Graduate Diploma in Family & Child Health
• Registered Midwife
• Registered Nurse

Key Dates

• Admitted to practice in 2017

Areas of practice

• Family law matters including property settlements, parenting matters and divorce
• Family violence intervention orders

Daniel Caccamo

Daniel joined the team at Kennedy Guy in January 2020. He has extensive experience in all property transactions, Will advice and drafting, Deceased Estates, Estate Planning, Power of Attorney and contesting a Will (Part IV Applications).

Daniel strives to provide the best service to all his clients who are mainly based in the Western suburbs and surrounds. Whether they are looking at buying their first home or they are a seasoned property investor, all clients are welcome. Daniel also manages deceased estates and works to keep the client informed during this difficult time in their life.  Daniel cuts through the legal jargon and takes the time to thoroughly explain the processes involved.

Daniel has vast experience using the Property Exchange Australia (PEXA) network since 2017 and is a certified user.  Daniel continually looks at ways to utilise technology to improve the process for his clients ensuring a smooth and seamless transaction for all involved.

Qualifications

• Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the Leo Cussen Centre for Law
• Bachelor of Laws with Honours (LL.B Honours) from Victoria University
• Bachelor of Legal Practice Management from Victoria University

Professional

• Member of the Law Institute of Victoria
• Western Suburbs Law Association (WSLA) member
• Certified Property Exchange Australia (PEXA) user

Languages

• English
• Italian

Key Dates

• Admitted to Practice in Victoria in March 2017
• Acquired invaluable experience at a local Sunshine firm from 2017 to 2019

Areas Of Practice

• Residential/Industrial/Off the Plan Conveyancing
• Subdivisions & Consolidations
• Easements & Restrictive Covenants
• Lost Title Applications
• Caveats
• Retirement Village Leases/Contracts
• Wills
• Power of Attorney (Financial/Medical)
• Deceased Estates (Probate & Letters of Administration)
• PART IV Estate contestation
• Aged care facility contract review
• Mortgage Document review
• Survivorship Applications