Warrnambool Practice Spotlight: Gallant Law’s Commitment to Regional Communities

Gallant Law, founded by Lauren Cassimatis, is a boutique law firm that has been representing clients in Warrnambool and surrounding districts on an ongoing basis. 

With 20 years’ experience in the legal profession, Lauren is one of Victoria’s leading criminal defence lawyers, a Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Criminal Law Specialist, and a lecturer at the College of Law. 

Gallant Law is recognised for its personalised service, legal expertise, and holistic support. The firm focuses beyond its clients’ legal problems, working hard to restore or preserve its clients’ personal and professional relationships, their reputation, mental health, and financial security. 

Due to a demand for specialist defence lawyers in the region, Gallant Law has unveiled a 3rd office beyond its Geelong and Melbourne offices: 62 Kepler Street, Warrnambool. The location was selected based on its close proximity to the courts and services for clients.  

The Cassimatis family connection with Warrnambool originates back some 50 years as a regular vacation destination. Since childhood, Lauren’s sentimental connection and familiarity with the area—as well as the respective personalities met along the way—has personally complimented the decision to have a presence in Warrnambool for the long term.

Lauren recalls a number of fond memories of her time in Warrnambool, such as spending every school holiday and long weekend in her family’s unit on Timor Street. A highlight of the evenings were dinners and fun conversations with Francis Neoh at his Liebig Street based Malaysian restaurant. The walls covered in photos of famous guests like Tom Selleck and Jimmy Barnes, paired with a mouth-watering Nasi Lemak, are a childhood highlight. She now enjoys visiting the Neoh family’s new restaurant, Penang Alley.

Her days were spent watching the boats at Lake Pertobe, getting soaked by giant waves at the Breakwater, and enjoying summer fun at the beach. Highlights included whale watching and BBQs at Tower Hill, complete with the customary shooing away of emus that were attempting to steal her family’s feasts.

One particular passion of hers was helping out farmers in the local community. She loved feeding young farm animals in Koroit, as well as helping out potato farmers to carry bags to the road in exchange for giant potatoes.

Lauren’s love of the Warrnambool community didn’t end in her childhood. Spending her teenage years mingling with locals at Beach Babylon and Bojangles, she wandered the streets admiring the wall murals which remain a staple all these years later.

In the legal domain, the demand for services we offer extends across Victoria and Australia in all major courts, tribunals, commissions and inquests. Covering criminal matters, from driving offences and drugs, through to complex sexual and online offences, mental impairment proceedings, and homicides, we hold the expertise to make a difference.

In addition, Gallant Law specialises in professional disciplinary matters, coronial inquests, Royal Commissions, WorkSafe offences and building disputes.

Known for her exemplary legal skills, compassion, warmth and dedication to her clients and their families, Lauren in her role as Principal Director ensures her team of 15 professionals are highly skilled, responsive and agile to client needs.

The understanding and awareness in order to effectively represent clients from diverse cultures and backgrounds is also of paramount importance to Lauren. Tailored, ongoing training is put in place for her and her committed team.

Lauren maintains this proactiveness by engaging with communities and stakeholders across all levels. She has proudly sponsored community events and associations such as the Victorian Aboriginal Community Services Association Ltd (VACSAL), Youth Football and Netball Carnival, Geelong Women in Business Club, Shine for Kids, Success Works, St Kilda Mums, the Equality Network and Pride in Law.

As a mother herself, Lauren’s passion extends to supporting lawyer mothers in respect to career ambition, wellbeing and skills while fulfilling family responsibilities. As a result, she founded Connecting Lawyer Mums, a nationwide networking and support group that now attracts a diverse group of people. With several regional events on the horizon, it is well worth joining up to receive the latest updates.

In future, Lauren will support regional Victorian lawyers to build connections and share their experiences as professionals servicing the country and coastal regions.

Lauren’s love and knowledge of Warrnambool runs deep, which is why she has chosen to expand her dedicated and expert law service to support this wonderful community. If you’re looking for a law firm in Warrnambool that truly values and understands the needs of local residents, choose Gallant Law. Please reach out and find out how they can assist you with your legal concerns.