Directors and Management

Ken Jagger, Managing Director

Prior to establishing Balance Legal in 2008, Ken was a partner of Freehills for 8 years practicing in the Projects division. He was also the leader of the Freehills’ national Native Title and Indigenous Heritage practice group.

Ken has extensive experience in the mining, oil and gas, water and transport sectors. He has particular expertise in the development of major greenfields resource and infrastructure projects, project structuring and strategy, land access and tenure acquisition, government relations and native title and indigenous heritage.

E ken.jagger@balancelegal.com.au
M 0408 767 259

Wade Taseff, Director

Wade was previously a senior associate with Freehills practicing in the Projects division. In his 11 years at Freehills Wade played a leading role in the firm’s infrastructure and project delivery practice group.

Wade has a broad range of experience in the delivery of major construction and infrastructure projects with a focus on the road, rail, power, water and civil construction sectors. He has particular expertise in the development and implementation of procurement strategies including the development, negotiation and analysis of all forms of project delivery documentation.

E wade.taseff@balancelegal.com.au
M 0417 593 032

Haaron Bokhari, Director

Haaron has extensive experience in the banking and finance sector having worked as a senior associate in the Freehills Banking and Finance division prior to the establishment of Balance Legal.

Haaron has worked closely with clients in respect of their general corporate, acquisition and in particular, project finance needs. His recent focus has been on the mining and resources sector however he has also acted for clients in the health, manufacturing and retail sectors.

E haaron.bokhari@balancelegal.com.au
M 0422 447 190

Rebecca Taseff, Director

Rebecca has over 10 years experience as a workplace relations lawyer working at leading Australian law firms in Perth and Melbourne. She has acted for clients in industries including mining, oil and gas, utilities, transport, financial services, manufacturing, telecommunications, and higher education.

She has particular expertise in providing strategic advice and training to clients on the legal and practical implications of workplace change and reform, dealing with sale of businesses, outsourcing, pre and post-employment arrangements, contractual claims, industrial disputation, discrimination and harassment complaints, workplace investigations and privacy.

E rebecca.taseff@balancelegal.com.au
M 0400 632 899

Andrew Kennedy, Director

Andrew's experience covers general contract, commercial law and litigation, with particular expertise in workplace relations. He also has extensive dispute resolution and litigation experience, including representing clients at mediation and conciliation, as well as appearing in the Federal Court, Supreme Court and lower courts and tribunals.

Andrew has most recently worked as a Senior Associate in top tier law firm, Freehills.  Prior to that Andrew was a partner at London law firm, Wedlake Saint.

E Andrew.kennedy@balancelegal.com.au

Cai Lin Tan, Director (Melbourne)

Cai Lin is the lawyer in charge of Balance Legal’s Melbourne office and has a broad range of corporate and private practice experience in the commercial sector with particular expertise in the renewable energy sector.

Cai Lin commenced her legal career at Freehills before joining Clayton Utz. In 2008, Cai Lin moved in-house with Acciona Energy providing legal and commercial advice to Acciona’s renewable energy business.

E cailin.tan@balancelegal.com.au

Sandra Gibson, Chief Operating Officer

Maree Gabbedy, Human Resources Director

Maree has over 16 years experience in the Human Resources and Industrial Relations field. This includes roles within the public and private sectors, 4 years as a senior HR Manager within the Wesfarmers Group and more recently operating her own Human Resources and Industrial Relations consultancy.

Maree specialises in Organisational Psychology and has considerable experience in recruitment and HR placements and the development and implementation of organisational change, training and development programs.

Helen Smelter, Practice Manager

Helen is an experienced manager whose responsibilities include the recruitment, training and management of support staff, CPD compliance, payroll, management of Balance Legal’s accounts, IT system, building management and office coordination.   Helen has worked at both small and large law firms in both secretarial and administration roles prior to joining Balance Legal.

E helen.smelter@balancelegal.com.au