Small law practice - top tier quality - please email your inquiry to: law@stephhunt.com
About Steph
Steph has over a decade of experience in litigation and international dispute settlement, including mediation. She has worked both in the private and public sector, advising corporations and the Commonwealth Government, including as a legal adviser in the Foreign Affairs portfolio. She has language capabilities in French, Spanish and Mandarin, and leverages her legal, policy, negotiation and language skills to achieve optimal results for clients and manage their legal risks.
Background
Before becoming a Sole Practitioner in 2023, Steph's experience includes working at a top tier law firm in the area of international taxation from 2010 to 2011, shadowing barristers in Victoria in 2013 and assisting arbitrators in Singapore in 2015. She also practiced as a litigation and international arbitration lawyer at a top tier law firm in Victoria from 2016 to 2017, until she accepted the role as Legal Adviser to the Foreign Minister, advising the Commonwealth on international dispute settlement among other international law and policy-related matters.
Steph is a member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb) and the Swiss Arbitration Association, and has completed Harvard Law School’s Program on Negotiation, and on Mediation and Conflict Management. She is an Accredited Mediator, and is a Councillor of the Australian Branch of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
Endorsements:
The Hon Marise Payne, Minister for Foreign Affairs 2018-2022, Australia:
Stephanie was my legal adviser from 2018 to 2022, and was a key member of my team. She is known for consistently providing considered and informed advice.
Stephanie was instrumental in advising me on the creation, negotiation, legislation and implementation of the Foreign Relations Act 2020. Working, at my direction, with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade, the Attorney General's Department and my Chief of Staff (in conjunction with other relevant ministerial offices), Stephanie's contribution helped me to ensure that all levels of government in Australia consistently apply our foreign policy in their foreign arrangements by requiring, through legislation, that states and territories obtain the Foreign Minister's approval before entering into negotiations and agreements with foreign governments.
She also supported my enactment on behalf of the Government of Magnitsky legislation in 2021, enabling Australia to impose sanctions for egregious human rights abuses, corruption and cyber attacks. With my Chief of Staff, she drove the processes required to ensure Australia's rapid sanctions response when Russia waged war on Ukraine.
Stephanie was also deeply committed to Australia and the Netherlands' pursuit of justice for the victims of the downing of flight MH17, and to our initiation, with the Government of the Netherlands, of legal proceedings against Russia in the International Civil Aviation Organisation.
I am pleased to recommend her, having witnessed her strong work ethic in the national interest, and knowing she will go above and beyond for the task at hand.
The Hon Julie Bishop, Minister for Foreign Affairs 2013-2017, Australia:
Stephanie performed strongly in the role and maintained levels of productivity and professionalism in a high pressure & fast paced work environment.
Her advice was valuable in relation to numerous international issues in trade, diplomacy and consular issues.
Stephanie brought passion, integrity and sound judgement to her work in my office.
Murray Hansen, Chief of Staff to Minister for Foreign Affairs 2013-2017, Australia:
Stephanie was an outstanding legal adviser to Foreign Minister Julie Bishop.
Her intellect,attention to detail and work ethic made Stephanie a highly effective member of the team.
William Browder, President - The Magnitsky Justice Foundation
It takes a level of strength and integrity, Australians should be proud for the work of those involved in initiating legislation such as the Magnitsky laws, which I instigated and lobbied for over many years since Sergei Magnitsky's cruel fate at the hands of Putin's Russia.
Working with the Minister's Chief of Staff, Stephanie was instrumental in supporting former Foreign Minister Payne's legislation and implementation of those laws.
I recommend Stephanie, noting her diligence, hard work, and tenacity in this regard.
Deb Brook, Founder and President of BCER, 2020 to current
Steph came on last year as the Vice President of Bayside Community Emergency Relief (BCER), a charity I founded after the 2020 bushfires. I was impressed by her professionalism, attitude, qualifications and also by her commitment to volunteering throughout her career that began in her younger years.
Steph is a committed VP of BCER who the community finds approachable and trustworthy.
Senior Associate, Australia:
Steph is an incredibly hard worker who is dedicated to getting the best outcome for her clients with a minimal amount of hassle and as efficiently as possible. Steph is a good organiser of people and project manager, and is always organised. These attributes help make Steph a great team player as well as a solo operator, and help her work in a targeted way.
Steph has a deep knowledge of practice and procedure, both in arbitral and court matters. When working with Steph, I always knew I could rely on her expertise and analytical prowess to talk through problems in a logical and well-reasoned manner. Steph has fine attention to detail, especially when it comes to drafting legal documents. She has a knack for identifying ambiguity and leveraging it to her advantage.