Our Team

Lindsay Kotzman

Partner

Lindsay has extensive experience in many disciplines within the areas of property law, commercial law and litigation and specialises in helping clients with complex legal matters.

P&B Law was founded by Lindsay in August of 1994 with an aim of creating a Melbourne law firm which could provide quality legal services in the areas of property and business law for all clients in both large and small matters.

Lindsay has hands on experience in the management and control of small to medium sized businesses and has a sound appreciation of the day-to-day issues as faced by the owners and managers of enterprises.

Off the plan property developments is one of Lindsay’s passions and he has been involved in assisting clients with developments all over Melbourne. He works hand in hand with property developers to ensure that all stages are handled quickly, professionally and to the highest standard.

Additionally, Lindsay has significant litigation experience in both the Victorian and federal jurisdiction and works to ensure that he is there to guide clients through what can be a complex environment at often a very stressful time.

Lindsay has worked not only in Australia but has considerable international experience with extensive contacts in South East Asia and works with clients in Europe, United States and the Middle East.

Lindsay was a member of a team that won a National Award under the Government sponsored Ausindustry National Enterprise Workshop scheme for business planning.

Lindsay is a keen skier and cyclist.

Jesse Sharp

Partner

Jesse started his career as a paralegal at Michael Sharp Legal in 2009 working alongside the principal Michael Sharp at the newly established firm in Prahran, whilst completing his university studies. He then went on to complete his legal traineeship with Michael Sharp Legal in conjunction with Trumble Szanto Lawyers and then commenced full time employment with Michael Sharp Legal as a solicitor.

While working at Michael Sharp Legal, Jesse continued to gain experience predominately focusing his practice on assisting clients with commercial transactions including sale and purchase of businesses from preparation through to settlement as well as negotiation and preparation of partnership/shareholder/unitholder agreements.

Additionally, Jesse has gained considerable experience in commercial leasing, corporate structures, employment law, intellectual property, property law and general commercial advice.

In 2018, Michael Sharp Legal merged with P&B Law and Jesse joined P&B Law as a Senior Associate where he continues to grow his practice and his areas of experience whilst working in a team environment.

Jesse aims and works hard to provide to his clients a balance between quality legal advice and understanding of the commercial realities of a situation. He takes great pride in building relationships with all of his clients, to get a better understanding as to how he can best provide to them the practical service that they need to assist them to grow and succeed.

Outside of work Jesse is a keen Collingwood supporter and also enjoys international travel.

Nicholas Witherow

Senior Associate
Head of Litigation

Nick undertook a traineeship at Williams Winter in 2011.

Between 2011 and 2018 Nick worked as a litigator, gaining experience in business disputes, wills and estates, insurance, leases, sale of businesses, planning and environment and personal injury (Workcover, TAC, public liability and sexual assaults).

Nick has worked in all courts and tribunals and frequently appears as a solicitor advocate.

In 2018 Nick joined Environmental Justice Australia a leading community funded public interest environmental law firm as their Principal Lawyer. While in this role I successfully led the litigation to oppose the AGL Floating Gas Terminal in Westernport Bay and the Glenaladale Mineral Sands Mine in East Gippsland.

Nick’s practice focuses on delivering effective outcomes to disputes while keeping his clients informed and up to date with progress.

Prior to becoming as lawyer, Nick worked as botanist at Australian Ecosystems. His speciality was restoration of South Eastern Australian wetlands and riparian ecosystems.

Nick continues this work as a committee member of the Wetland Revival Trust.

When not working, Nick enjoys walking his whippet, Paco through Yarra Bend, cycling, cooking and Melbourne’s restaurants.

Chris Mackie

Senior Solicitor
Head of Property

Chris completed his Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice and was admitted to practice in 2014. Prior to joining P & B Law, he was an Associate Solicitor at a well-respected, full-service law firm that has been providing professional legal services to the Bayside area for almost 50 years. Chris is admitted to practice in both Victoria and the High Court. Whilst predominantly practicing in Property Law, Chris has maintained a broad practice area, encompassing Litigation, Criminal Law and Intervention Order matters. Chris has also appeared as Solicitor Advocate in a range of Courts, Jurisdictions and Tribunals including the Magistrates Court, VCAT and the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Chris was delighted to join P & B Law in 2020 as a Senior Lawyer and Head of the Property Law Team. His varied experience in Property Law and exposure in other practice areas has meant that he is strongly placed to consider his client’s needs and aims to provide a flexible yet common-sense approach that is tailored to his client’s circumstances in a friendly and highly approachable way.

Chris has substantial experience in Victorian property transactions and enjoys assisting his clients in all aspects of their Property matters and is happy to deal with simple residential property conveyancing to large scale complex commercial subdivision and everything in between – from conception to conclusion. Chris is also a tragic Essendon supporter for as long as he can remember, enjoys good food and wine and a casual game of basketball.

Michael Sharp

Senior Special Counsel

Michael was admitted in 1978 and has practiced for over 30 years in the area of major commercial transactions with particular emphasis on negotiating and drafting agreements, advising on corporate restructures and the implementation of complex property and financial transactions.

He was a partner for over 20 years at the National firm of Dibbs Abbott Stillman (and its predecessor firm) where he served as Head of the Commercial Division for many years.

In 2009, Michael established his own legal firm, Michael Sharp Legal, where he expanded his practice from general commercial transactions (including purchase and sale of businesses and securities) to Wills, Estates and Commercial Property Leasing.

In 2018, Michael joined P & B Law as a Senior Special Counsel where he continues to provide practical legal advice in both Commercial and Wills and Estates areas of practice.

Michelle Kaklikos

Paralegal
Estate Planning

Michelle has worked in the legal industry for over twenty (20) years, which provides her with a strong foundation of procedural and administrative knowledge. She has substantial experience specifically in the areas of commercial leasing, wills and probate law.

Throughout her career, Michelle has focussed on providing all clients with a level of assistance and expertise that will ensure their experience with the firm and its handling of their matters are as seamless as possible. She places as paramount the objective of delivering services in an empathetic and professional manner, particularly where the matter involves a deceased estate.

Michelle is married with two children and is of Macedonian descent. She enjoys quality time with her family and cooking including for the office.

Monica Cosereanu

Conveyancer

After successfully taking on a number of challenging positions that have ranged from sourcing and product development through to administration management in her home country Romania, Monica moved to Australia where she found her passion for conveyancing.

Monica started working as a conveyancing clerk with P&B Law in 2019 while completing her Advanced Diploma of Conveyancing. Monica grew into a very competent and professional conveyancer with a capacity of managing multiple conveyancing matters at all times, including residential, commercial and off-the-plan, in a capable, diligent and timely manner.

Monica enjoys being involved in all aspects throughout the life of a conveyance and is particularly passionate about working with first-home buyers. She aims to make their experience of purchasing their first home as pleasant as possible by explaining to them the process in a way that they can understand and by going above and beyond when obstacles are encountered during their journey to ownership.

Outside of work, Monica enjoys spending time with her family and friends, cooking and listening to 80’s music.

Bernadette Mizzi

Legal Assistant

Bernadette started her career as a paralegal and legal assistant for the following firms:

• Department of Public Prosecutions;
• The Port of Melbourne Authority;
• Trumble Szanto Lawyers;
• Zolis Lawyers;
• Bowlen Dunstan Lawyers; and
• Portfolio Law.

Outside of work Bernadette is a keen Kangaroo’s supporter, loves cooking, travelling and most of all going to the gym. Bernadette volunteers at Jewish Care and Koko her dog is the love of her life.

Lisa Norton

Office Manager
Head of Accounts

Lisa came to P&B Law in 2017 as someone new to the Legal Services with a background in bookkeeping and administration. Lisa was drawn to becoming part of the P&B Law team by the positive attitude that the firm showed towards their staff and clients.

After Lisa had been with the firm for a short time Lisa jumped at the opportunity to take up the challenge of managing the Office and Trust accounts on a more permanent basis and was happy to step up and take over these duties. With the support of management, Lisa has over the past three years successfully managed the accounts department and streamlined and updated the firms procedures.

Lisa enjoys her busy role at P&B Law and finds she is constantly learning and updating her skills and recently.

Lisa is married with no children, but a much loved ‘fur baby’ Henry. While not working Lisa enjoys reading, puzzles and spending time with friends and family.

Drew Bennett

Assistant Office Manager

Drew started her working career in administration at the Townsville Intercultural Centre in 2017. While working at the Intercultural Centre Drew gained a lot of experience in data management, phone etiquette, client engagement, assisting staff and assisting in the not-for-profit programs held.

Drew then moved onto a Reception role at Madison Ocean Breeze Hotel in 2019. While working there she was able to continue growing her knowledge and experience in administration and reception. Drew went above and beyond to assist guests with any issues, learned how to handle stressful situations and ensure everything ran smoothly.

In 2021 after moving to Melbourne, Drew started working at P&B Law as the Office Receptionist and was shortly promoted to Assistant Office Manager. Here at P&B Law Drew has been continually learning and growing her experiences. She has a positive and bubbly attitude that always puts a smile on clients’ faces. She is always willing to assist in any way possible and wants to continually build her rapport with every P&B Law client.

Outside of work Drew loves to spend her time reading and going out and exploring Melbourne.