Professional.
Outcome driven.
Local Leaders.

Offering dedicated services in:

Criminal Law and Traffic Law including Legal Aid representation
General Commercial and Business Law including Sales, Commercial Leases, Partnerships, Intellectual Property and Farming Agreements.
Full Service Conveyancing (incorporating Mildura Conveyancing Services) including transfer of rural properties with rural water in NSW and VIC.
General Insurance Law including indemnity advice, property damage and liability disputes.
Wills and Estates planning and management including Will drafting, testamentary trusts, powers of attorney, Probate and Intestacy applications

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PRACTICE
AREAS

Criminal Law

Our lawyers have extensive, practical experience representing clients in various types of Criminal Law and traffic matters.

Our approachable criminal law team is led by Hugh Middleton who is an LIV Accredited Criminal Law specialist.

We support the Victoria Legal Aid duty-lawyer program at Mildura, Robinvale, and Ouyen. Summary and Indictable crime panel members.

Conveyancing & Property Law

With extensive experience in assisting clients with the purchase and sale of residential and commercial properties from the preparation of section 32 disclosure statements through to settlement, our conveyancing team are ready to assist.

Incorporating Mildura Conveyancing Services providing a more cost-effective service, with legal support there only if you need it.

Commercial Law

Our friendly and professional commercial lawyers can assist with advice and administration of various commercial law areas including:

Commercial property sales and purchases Victoria and NSW
Sale and purchase of a business Victoria and NSW
Commercial Leases
Agricultural Leases
Discretionary, Hybrid and Unit Trust Deeds
Succession planning
Growers contracts and negotiation
Subdivisions
Share and Unit sale agreement
Business structuring
Water agreements
Caveats

Insurance Law

Navigating insurance claims is often a first time occurrence for many. Where insurance companies are supported by many experts in handling your claims, you are often entirely in their hands as to whether they are doing what is right by you. Know and ensure you receive your full entitlements with us.

Wills and Estates

Our firm understands the importance of planning ahead and how stressful the passing of a loved one can be. Talk to us about:

Planning ahead. We make life easier for your family creating documentation such as Wills, Trusts and Powers of Attorney or Advanced Medical Treatment Decisions. We consider your life's circumstances, jointly-held assets, couple's planning (including subsequent relationships), and families who own businesses.
Estate Management and Distribution, Property Protection Advice, Managing Estate Finances, Asset Acquisition and Asset Transfer including payments and real estate transfers
Probate and Intestacy in the Supreme Court of Victoria and NSW.
Stamp duty exemptions for estate property transfers

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YOUR FIRST CHOICE

Martin Middleton Oates Lawyers dates our firm's roots back to 1932, situated in Mildura's oldest surviving building first constructed in 1887. Founded by Norman J. Favaloro, a specialist in Matrimonial Law, the practice became Favaloro, Irwin & Richards in 1971 when John Irwin and Keith Richards OAM purchased the practice. We became Martin Irwin and Richards in 2000 when Kay Martin, previously of Martin and Toose, purchased the practice. Hugh Middleton joined the partnership in 2002.

We work for our clients to achieve a practical "real world" solution to their legal problem. We are passionate, experienced and focused on getting an outcome that is best for you, as cost-effectively as possible. In most cases our services are offered on a flat-fee or per-stage basis, instead of purely billing you for time like other lawyers, which can really escalate. We aim to be respectful in our dealings and seek to achieve fair outcomes, more consistent with the expectations of our Sunraysia community.

The firm is a private legal practice providing a full range of legal services in North Western Victoria. Based in Mildura, we also offer services in Robinvale, Swan Hill and Wentworth. We offer affordable private fee payment as well as Legal Aid services dependent on your eligibility.

With over 30 active years of local knowledge and experience, we understand the needs of our clients across the Mallee region and beyond. We are passionate in advocating for and defending the rights of our clients and pride ourselves on treating our clients with empathy, respect and compassion.

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We are a proud supporter of Cancer Council Victoria’s Financial and Legal Support Program, providing legal support to vulnerable Victorians affected by cancer. If you, or someone you know, has cancer and needs support, learn about the services available at www.cancervic.org.au

OUR PEOPLE

ATTORNEYS

Hugh Middleton

Director

Hugh has been practising law in Sunraysia for well over twenty years.

As an accredited specialist in Criminal Law, Hugh applies his extensive experience to his client's advantage across all areas of Criminal Law jurisdictions.

Hugh is a stalwart of the local legal community in the region, who represents clients in both Victoria and New South Wales in various jurisdictions such as the Magistrates' Court of Victoria, the Local Court of NSW, County Court of Victoria, District Court of NSW and the Supreme Court.

Peter Delorenzo

Senior Associate

Peter was admitted to practice in 2011 and has since developed major practical experience in Criminal Lawyer. He is well sought after by clients in his field, with a reputation for honesty and accuracy in his dealings before the court. He works hard for his clients to achieve a positive outcome in often very difficult circumstances.

Peter continues to be a leading mentor at MMO.

Dorian Basic

Solicitor

Dorian was admitted to practice in 2020, starting his career as a staffer in the South Australian State Parliament by providing legal and policy research into critical issues facing the State’s representatives.

With experience in the start-up space and a keen eye on emerging areas of law, Dorian is now a member of our team assisting clients within the justice system.

Lior Maisner

Managing Principal

Lior was admitted to legal practice in 2011, commencing full time legal practice in Mildura shortly before coming to the firm.

Lior is an experienced civil lawyer, having spent many years providing time critical tactical legal advice for personal and business clients, ranging from SME and property investors to significant Australian organisations such as major retailers, churches and local authorities.

As Managing Principal, Lior guides strategy and practice of our firm, whilst engaged in complex commercial matters and estates distributions.

Hannah Smith

Solicitor

Following admission to legal practice in March 2022, Hannah has not wasted any time in developing her craft as a professional in-court advocate.

Hannah primarily works in our criminal law team however her court experience sees her well equipped in civil law matters.

Hannah's desire to see justice being done has resulted in several major acquittals for serious crimes at trial in the County Court of Victoria.

Bethany Scholar

Solicitor

Bethany was admitted to practice in 2023, after substantial prior life and community engagements in Mildura.

Whilst remaining engaged in multiple local community organisations, she forms part of our civil law team, primarily looking ahead for local families in estate planning with integrity and empathy.

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