Malik Hameed

The journey into law…

Malik was admitted as an Attorney-at-Law of the Supreme Court of Sri Lanka in 2007. He was then employed as an Attorney in the Corporations Division of the Attorney General’s Department of Sri Lanka. This entailed representing the interests of State-owned corporations in employment law disputes before Labour Tribunals and the University Services Appeals Board. In 2008 he was employed as a State Counsel in the Attorney General’s Department. He was engaged primarily in litigation before the courts of original jurisdiction and the Supreme Court in civil litigation. He served in this capacity from 2008 to 2012, during which he was appointed the State Counsel in charge of civil litigation on behalf of the State, in the Northern and Eastern Provinces of Sri Lanka.

In 2012 he read his Master’s Degree in Law at the University of Sydney. In 2014, he was awarded a postgraduate internship at Zaid Ibrahim & Co, which is a top-tier law firm in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.

In 2014 he was employed as a Senior Legal Officer at the Fiji Independent Commission against Corruption in the Fiji Islands.

In 2015, he commenced employment as a Legal Counsel at the Directorate of Contracts and Legal Affairs at the Ministry of Defence in the Sultanate of Oman. This involved the drafting and review of commercial contracts and representing the Ministry of Defence at negotiations for the procurement of defence goods and services.

In 2017, he migrated to Australia and commenced employment at Michael Vassili Lawyers in Blacktown, NSW, as a solicitor. Between 2017 and early 2018, this entailed:

• Conduct and day-to-day carriage of civil litigation matters in the Local Court.

• Carriage of Applications for merits review in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in respect of immigration and social security.

• Conduct of hearings in the New South Wales Civil and Administrative Tribunal in respect of construction disputes and matters in the Administrative and Equal Opportunity Divisions.

• Conducts of appeals before the NCAT Appeal Panel.

• Initiating applications for unfair dismissal, general protections and stop bullying orders in the Fair Work Commission and conduct of conciliations and hearings on the same.

• Conduct of hearings in applications for judicial review in the Federal Circuit Court and Federal Court in respect of immigration matters.

• Instructed Counsel in the Supreme Court in the Equity, Defamation, Common Law and Real Property Divisions.

• Appearance at case management hearings and direction hearings.

• Conduct of mediations and conciliations.

• Conduct of conciliations of financial disputes before the Australian Financial Complaints Authority.

• Conduct of hearings before the Mental Health Tribunal and other tribunals.

In 2018, he was assigned to the Family Law Division at Michael Vassili Lawyers.

In 2023, he commenced employment at Brydens Lawyers in Liverpool, NSW, as an Associate. His work was primarily in family law and to a limited extent in Estates. In this role, he had sole carriage of parenting and property matters, inclusive of complex disputes. This involved initiating and defending court proceedings. Drafting of Affidavits, provision of advice, preparation of applications for consent orders and Binding Financial Agreements. In addition, he mentored and trained junior Solicitors.

Experience in family law

Malik has 8–9 years of experience in family law.
Sole carriage of applications for financial separation, parenting and divorce.
Carriage of complex property and parenting matters in the Magellan and Evatt Lists.
Drafting of Applications, affidavits, submissions and other pleadings.
Engagement with third party witnesses and experts.
Appeared as advocate at interim hearings in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia.
Instructed Counsel at final hearings and arbitrations.
Drafting of advice in complex parenting and property matters.
Conduct of mediations and conciliations.
Advanced research, drafting and advocacy skills.

Other areas of expertise

Malik also has experience in civil litigation, commercial law, contract negotiation, estates, criminal defence and immigration.

The passion for family law

What makes Malik passionate about family law is the opportunity to help people during some of the most important and challenging times in their lives. He finds it genuinely gratifying to support clients through complex legal and personal issues, providing clear guidance and practical solutions when they need it most. Being able to help clients protect their interests, resolve disputes, and move forward with confidence is what motivates him to work in this area of law. He values the trust clients place in their lawyer and finds it rewarding to make a positive impact during what can often be a difficult period for them and their families.

Our care for clients

Malik combines experience with a genuine commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for every client. He understands that family and property matters are often emotionally and financially significant, so he approaches every matter with his legal skills and a clear focus on his client’s individual goals, while being mindful of the need for compassion and empathy.

He believes in clear, honest communication and ensures his clients understand their options, the legal process, and the likely outcomes so they can make informed decisions with confidence. His advice is practical, strategic, and solutions-focused, tailored to each client’s unique circumstances.

Drawing on his experience in Family and Property Law, he thinks laterally to identify creative and effective solutions that others may overlook. He takes a proactive approach to advancing his clients’ interests, anticipating potential issues before they arise and developing strategies that position them for the strongest possible outcome. Combined with strong negotiation skills and meticulous attention to detail, he works to resolve matters efficiently while protecting his clients’ rights and long-term interests.

Clients can expect Malik to be responsive, accessible, and fully invested in their matter. He understands the trust they place in their lawyer, and he is committed to providing professional, practical guidance while advocating confidently on their behalf every step of the way.

Why Unified?

Malik joined Unified Lawyers because it’s a firm whose values align with his own approach to practising law. From his first interactions with the team, it was clear that Unified Lawyers places a strong emphasis on client care, collaboration, and delivering practical, high-quality legal solutions.

He was particularly drawn to the firm’s commitment to providing personalised service and building genuine relationships with clients. He believes that effective legal representation is about more than just technical expertise—it is about understanding each client’s unique circumstances, communicating openly, and helping them navigate challenging situations with confidence.

Unified Lawyers also provides an environment that encourages professional growth, collaboration, and excellence. Being part of a team that shares his commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes for clients allows him to continue developing as a lawyer while delivering the high standard of service that clients deserve.

Passion outside of the law

Outside of work, Malik enjoys spending time with his family, being a dad, exploring the great outdoors, reading, rugby union, and watching and playing cricket.