Katie McCallum

Katie was admitted to practice in 2016 and was called to the Bar in 2025. Prior to coming to the Bar, Katie worked as a solicitor in both private practice and in-house as a senior solicitor advising on complex high profile contentious and non-contentious matters.

Katie accepts briefs in all areas of the law and has expertise in general commercial litigation, administrative law, regulatory matters (both criminal and civil penalty), environmental law, planning, building and construction, and property.

She has practical experience in a wide range of civil litigation, administrative and criminal proceedings and resolved disputes through alternative dispute resolution including mediation, conciliation and negotiated settlements.

Katie lectures at the University of Technology primarily in Ethics Law and Justice and volunteers at the Marrickville Legal Centre in its civil advice clinic.

Katie brings a strong legal and commercial mind to each matter with a focus on the critical issues and encourages a collaborative and strategic approach to litigation.

David Smith

David Smith is a barrister based in Sydney, specialising in equity, trusts, property, corporations, insolvency, and general commercial litigation. Called to the New South Wales Bar in 2018, David initially practiced as a litigation solicitor for a decade at leading law firms in Sydney, London, and Hong Kong.

David’s formal education includes a Master of Laws from the University of Sydney and a Bachelor of Laws with First Class Honours from the University of Technology, Sydney. He was admitted as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 2008 and the High Court of Australia in 2009, before transitioning to the Bar in 2018. Throughout his career, he has represented clients in a variety of matters, ranging from complex equity and trust disputes to real property cases and multifaceted corporations litigation.

David has a record of handling large-scale disputes, showcasing his ability to manage intricate legal challenges and deliver favourable results. He has represented clients in all courts and tribunals in New South Wales, demonstrating a proficiency in dealing with a range of legal issues in different judicial settings.

David is focussed on engaging closely with solicitors and clients to achieve practical and commercial outcomes.

Allysha-Jane Merrett

After ten years as a solicitor Allysha-Jane Merrett commenced practice at the Bar in 2024.

She obtained a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Newcastle in 2013 having been conferred a Bachelor of Social Science in 2012.

Since her admission as a lawyer in 2014 she has gained extensive experience in a wide range of areas including family law, criminal law, estate litigation and a variety of commercial disputes.

Before relocating to Sydney in 2020 Allysha-Jane worked as a senior lawyer with responsibility for a large family and criminal law practice in Newcastle and appeared regularly as a solicitor advocate in the Local, District, Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia and Children’s Court.

Immediately prior to commencing at the bar Allysha-Jane was special counsel in a leading Sydney family law firm.

She has conducted numerous family law cases including complex financial and parenting disputes successfully drawing upon her experience and qualifications including:

Masters of Applied Family Law (College of Law 2017);
Specialist Accreditation (Family Law) Law Society of NSW (2021); and
Master of Business Administration (RMIT 2023).

She is an NMAS accredited mediator (AIFLAM), Family Dispute Resolution Practitioner (FDRP) and is available to mediate family law cases.

Allysha-Jane was the President of the Women Lawyers Association NSW. She has volunteered as a solicitor for the Redfern Legal Centre, University of Newcastle Legal Centre, Women’s Legal Service NSW and as a trainer for Relationships Australia in navigating the financial aspects of the Family Law Act.

Allysha-Jane accepts briefs to appear and advise in the following areas:

Family law – property and parenting
Equity
Wills & Probate
Criminal law
Commercial law
Contracts

Michael Heath

Michael, is a Senior Junior with 25 years’ experience in commercial, equity and administrative law at the Bar. He appears regularly in the Court of Appeal of NSW, the Supreme Court of NSW and the Federal Court of Australia, the AAT and NCAT. Michael has also appeared on a many occasions for clients involved in the hearings before the Independent Commission Against Corruption and he has niche expertise in Liquor Licensing Law.

His work includes acting in regulatory and disciplinary matters, in particular, for the Inspector-General in Bankruptcy and the Official Receiver. Michael does work for a number of interstate solicitors and his work takes to appear in other jurisdictions including Queensland, South Australian and the ACT.