Our Team

Stephen Peterson

Principal Lawyer

Stephen Peterson is the principal of the firm, having founded Stephen Peterson Lawyers in 2016. Stephen has a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts (politics and criminology majors) from Monash University and has completed a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice. In 2016, Stephen was recognised as an Accredited Specialist in Criminal Law by the Law Institute of Victoria. He was admitted to practice as a barrister and solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria and also the High Court of Australia in 2010.  Since 2019, he has also been a member of the Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Specialist Criminal Law Committee.

Prior to founding Stephen Peterson Lawyers, Stephen worked as a senior criminal lawyer at Victoria Legal Aid and volunteered at the Springvale and Gippsland Community Legal Services.

Stephen has a keen interest in criminal law. He has represented clients charged with serious offences, including murder, rape, aggravated home invasion and burglary, armed robbery, drug trafficking, drug manufacturing, firearms manufacturing, firearms trafficking and culpable driving.  As a result of conducting trials in the County and Supreme Courts, Stephen has had the opportunity to work alongside and develop relationships with some of Victoria’s most experienced and respected Barristers and Senior Counsel.

With extensive expertise in complex criminal law cases and children’s law matters, your case will be defended strongly, passionately and professionally.

Michael Robinson

Senior Lawyer

Michael Robinson joined Stephen Peterson Lawyers in 2024.  Michael has extensive experience in child protection and intervention order cases.

Elise Peterson

Accounts Manager

Elise Peterson has been our Accounts Manager since the firm’s inception in 2016.  Prior to this, Elise worked as a dental practice manager, as well as a customer service officer in the social welfare sector. Her experience working with vulnerable people is invaluable in delivering competent and compassionate assistance to our clients.

At Stephen Peterson Lawyers, Elise provides a wide range of administrative support and is also a valued part of our management team.

Both Stephen and Elise maintain an extensive and active role within their business, understanding that their passion to provide legal services to their community requires an often-underestimated level of commitment and determination to ensure the desired outcomes.

Jennifer Rae

Legal Secretary

Jennifer Rae commenced working at Stephen Peterson Lawyers in 2016 and completed a Certificate III in Business Administration (legal) in 2017.

At Stephen Peterson Lawyers, Jenn works as an experienced legal secretary with extensive knowledge in summary crime, intervention orders and child protection applications.  Jenn provides professional front-line service to all our clients and stakeholders. You can be assured when speaking to Jenn that she understands both the complexity and emotional impacts that face clients when confronted with any legal proceeding. As part of our administrative team, Jenn will be one of your first points of contact when you call our office.

Hayley Elliot

Legal Secretary

Hayley Elliot joined the Stephen Peterson Lawyers team in 2022.  Hayley has previous experience working in criminal law and assists the legal team in advocating for clients of the firm.

At Stephen Peterson Lawyers, Hayley works as a legal secretary with comprehensive knowledge of our summary crime and intervention order practice areas.  Hayley provides professional front-line service to all our clients and stakeholders as part of our administrative team.  Hayley will be one of your first points of contact when you call our office.

Melanie Nolen

Legal Secretary

Melanie Nolen joined our team in 2018, having gained previous experience in the local legal industry.

At Stephen Peterson Lawyers, Mel assists our legal team by providing a friendly, professional and personalised service.  As part of our administrative team, Mel assists with stakeholder enquiries, agency requests and referrals and is our point of contact for all enquiries regarding indictable crime and serious offences.