About Graham
I have over 3 decades of experience in WHS, having started as a government prosecutor in the early 1980’s. I spent time in the broader role of a prosecutor in regulatory matters as the Assistant Director of the Regulation and Standards Division of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs. I also held the position of the Acting Director of Consumer Affairs in the Director’s absence.
I then became a partner, and then special counsel, at Mallesons, one of Australia’s leading law firms, now a fully international law firm King & Wood Mallesons. At Mallesons I headed the Environmental and WHS work, in the Melbourne office, and then for two years nationally.
While still at Mallesons I was appointed by the Registrar of Building Societies to the board of one of Australia’s largest credit unions with almost $400 million in assets at that time. This followed criminal conduct by the CEO (resulting in a term of imprisonment). I served on the board for 2 years while the credit union underwent governance
and other changes.
When I left Mallesons, I established my own boutique firm, SHE Law Consulting, practicing in Safety, Health and Environmental Law.
After 5 years managing SHE Law, I was headhunted by the national law firm, Sparke Helmore, where I then headed the Melbourne Workplace Relations Group, with my focus on WHSE, and then, while still in that role, became the Managing Partner of the Melbourne office for 2 years, prior to resigning and establishing Dent Consulting & Legal (following the addition of twins to my family!)
I have also lectured on a sessional basis, in Masters courses at both Monash and Melbourne Universities, on due diligence in workplace health and safety and environmental law.
For more detail on my experience see the legal services I offer.
Qualifications
I hold a Bachelor of Jurisprudence, Bachelor of Laws (with Honours), and a Post Graduate Diploma in further Legal Studies (a further 2 years of post-graduate studies).
In 2007 I undertook post graduate studies in Human Rights law at Monash University to further my knowledge of the increasingly complex and important issue of business and human rights, often evident in supply chain issues, whether in procurement or sales.
I also hold the Certificate IV in Training & Assessment.
I am admitted to practice in the High Court of Australia and advise, conduct training for, and represent clients nationally.
Home and Community
I spend my time with my family, 4 children, including 11-year-old twins. I also train for and compete, when not waiting for broken bones or other injuries to heal, in the Ironman Triathlon.
The Ironman is a 3.8 km swim, a 180-km cycle, and a full marathon, i.e. 42.2 kms. I have done 6 Ironman events. In my last 3 I was sponsored through individual donations and raised a total of almost $30,000 for the Very Special Kids Foundation. VSK provides a children’s hospice, and family support.
I've struggled in every one of my Ironman events. If my donors want to see a lawyer suffer, they have been amply rewarded by my efforts. But, I intend to keep doing them, until I "get it right".
I also sponsor two children through overseas aid organisations, Plan International and World Vision. I have been a member of Amnesty International for over 30 years and part of its public speaking group.
I have provided pro-bono advice in many matters including for not for profits and charities. Where appropriate on pro-bono matters I ask my client to make a donation to the important services offered by Lifeline.
