Melbourne Lawyers & Mediators has won the national Boutique Diversity Law Firm of the Year at the prestigious Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards on 10 December 2020.
With two offices in Prahran and Broadmeadows, Melbourne Lawyers & Mediators has been recognised for its legal services to a wide range of culturally diverse clients including those with Turkish, Lebanese, African, Greek and Chinese backgrounds.
Melbourne Lawyers & Mediators attention to detail, wide expertise across a wide range of legal practice areas and support for disadvantaged and vulnerable clients ensures those who need legal representation the most are supported through their often overwhelming and distressing legal issues.
At Melbourne Lawyers & Mediators our clients universally feel respected and valued and are treated with dignity and empathy. The practice emanates a holistic environment to ensure clients feel supported and are empowered to provide us with accurate instructions.
Melbourne Lawyers & Mediators started out in Broadmeadows after the Principal Solicitor Meryem Apak, who is Australian Turkish, recognised a need for a practice in the economically vulnerable northern suburbs of Melbourne after hearing anecdotal stories within her own cultural community. She qualified as a Barrister but left the Victorian Bar to return to practice to help those clients who needed her services the most and who would have otherwise ‘slipped through the cracks’.
From there the business grew and we now have a second office in Prahran: despite a prestigious postcode we see many, many marginalised clients who would otherwise not have access to justice at this location.
Our clientele includes the homeless, those with drug and alcohol issues, those who have suffered domestic violence and others who have been unable to afford upfront legal fees despite having valid claims or matters.
We treat people as human beings, always.
We go over and above simply being lawyers: our female staff not only support one another: they bring a rich cultural diversity to the Melbourne Lawyers & Mediators environment.
Winning the National Award is recognition of hard work and care for our community.
But most of all it is for the people who need us the most and we are proud that our firm has made a difference to thousands of peoples lives. Settling a matter, whether it is a for a family law client, property or parenting orders, disputes or for a victim of Institutional Sexual Abuse is priceless: survivors are empowered and walk taller, feeling validated and valued. No legal fees can replace that.
