Our Team Members
James O’Donnell
Director / Litigation
James O’Donnell 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
Daniel Caccamo
Director / Property, Conveyancing, Wills & Deceased Estates
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
Peter Guy
Special Counsel to Kennedy Guy
Peter is Special Counsel to 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 Law Institute Victoria. 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 re-accreditation 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
Valentina Najdovska
Senior Lawyer
Val does not bamboozle clients with legal jargon preferring to discuss legal issues and circumstances in a manner which her clients understand. Val is compassionate, empathetic, interpersonal and a good listener who cares for her clients.
Val has a strong dedication to the law and justice and always invested in achieving the best outcome for her clients all whilst wearing a huge smile with a “lighten the mood” attitude which bodes well for clients enduring stressful times.
Outside of work, Val enjoys visiting restaurant and new places with her husband and two children.
Tammy Vu
Lawyer
At Kennedy Guy Lawyers, Tammy is dedicated to providing exceptional legal services, safeguarding her clients' interests with unwavering commitment. With precision, passion, and dedication to justice, she adeptly guides clients through the legal landscape, ensuring optimal outcomes.
Qualification:
Bachelors of Laws and Bachelors of Arts (Majoring in Crime, Justice, and Legal Studies) from La Trobe University.Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice from Leo Cussen Centre for Law.
Language:
- English
- Vietnamese
Areas of Practice:
- Debt recovery
- Enforcement
- Bankruptcy and Insolvency
- Business and Commercial Disputes
- Intellectual Property Disputes
- Real Property Disputes
Jason Hong
Commercial Lawyer
Jason Hong joined the team at Kennedy Guy in January 2023.
Prior to joining Kennedy Guy, Jason worked as a lawyer in a suburban firm practicing in a wide range of areas including commercial law and civil litigation, intellectual property, bankruptcy and mortgagee sales.
Qualifications:
Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the Leo Cussen Centre For Law
Bachelor of Arts (Politics and Sociology) from the University of Melbourne
Juris Doctor from the University of Melbourne
Key dates:
Admitted to practice in 2019
Practised as solicitor in suburban firm from 2019 to 2022.
Georgina Carson
Senior Lawyer / Family Law
Georgina Carson joined Kennedy Guy in early 2018 and practices in family law matters. Prior to joining Kennedy Guy, Georgina worked as a lawyer practising in both family law and commercial litigation. Georgina is committed to assisting clients to achieve the best outcome for their matter in a practical and cost-effective manner.
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
Samir Dzeladin-Elez
Solicitor | Family Law
Samir Dzeladin-Elez
Solicitor | Family Law
Sam focusses on a no nonsense approach to family law where he attempts to provide guidance and legal advice in a holistic manner. He views his role as a family lawyer as more than just a legal advocate, aiming to provide a full service experience to his clients. He prides himself on being a dedicated and passionate advocate for his clients, and aims to have an empathetic, friendly and down to earth approach to achieve practical and long term results for his clients and their children.
ExperienceSam graduated with a Juris Doctor degree from La Trobe University and holds a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from Leo Cussen Centre for Law. During his studies, he specialised in Family Law where he developed a keen interest for the practice area.
Prior to joining Kennedy Guy Lawyers, Sam worked for a boutique firm that specialised in family law and intervention orders. Here, Sam gained a wealth of experience in both family law and family violence intervention orders.
Sam has experience in a range of family law matters, including:
- De Facto and Matrimonial Property
- Settlements;
- Child Support Agreements;
- Parenting Disputes;
- Alternate Dispute Resolution Methods;
- Binding Financial Agreements entered into prior or during the relationship;
- Family Violence and Intervention Order Matters; and Divorce Applications
Since joining Kennedy Guy, Sam has also begun practicing in Wills and Estates as well as civil litigation matters.
In the future, Sam aims to become an accredited family law specialist.