Celine Bodera

Celine Bodera helps businesses and individuals understand their legal position, protect their interests and find a practical way through disputes.

Her practice covers commercial litigation, contractual disputes, disagreements between directors, shareholders and business partners, and misleading and deceptive conduct claims. She also advises on disputes involving trusts, estates, private wealth, insolvency, property ownership and commercial leasing.

Celine has acted for individuals, small and medium-sized businesses and large corporations, including company directors, shareholders, liquidators and creditors. She understands that the right strategy depends on what the client needs to achieve, whether that means preserving a business, recovering money, protecting an asset or bringing a difficult relationship to an orderly conclusion.

Understanding the whole dispute

Celine brings an analytical approach and close attention to detail to matters where different areas of law and competing interests overlap.

A business sale dispute, for example, may involve contractual obligations, a commercial lease, planning requirements and allegations of misleading conduct. Each issue can affect the others. Celine works through those connections to identify what will influence the outcome and develop a coherent strategy.

Her advice gives clients a clear understanding of where they stand and the decisions ahead. She works collaboratively, keeping their priorities at the centre of the matter as circumstances develop.

A considered approach to resolution

Clients often ask Celine whether they need to go to court. Her starting point is to understand their objectives and assess the strengths and risks of their position before recommending a course of action.

Negotiation can provide an effective and proportionate resolution. Where proceedings are necessary, Celine brings thorough preparation and firm advocacy, maintaining her composure under pressure.

She describes her approach in personal terms: “I practise law the way I play tennis — clean shots, calm under pressure.”

Selected experience

Shareholder oppression disputes

Acted as the solicitor with carriage of shareholder oppression claims in the Supreme Court of Victoria and the Federal Court of Australia. These matters involved allegations including exclusion from management, denial of access to company information, share dilution and uncommercial transactions, and resolved through negotiated settlements on favourable commercial terms.

Disputed ownership of land

Acted as the solicitor with carriage of co-ownership disputes in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, involving disputed financial contributions and the application of resulting and constructive trust principles. These matters resolved through negotiated settlements on terms more favourable to clients than their registered interests on title.

Winding-up proceedings

Acted as both the solicitor with carriage and an assisting solicitor in pursuing and defending winding-up applications in the Supreme Court of Victoria. These matters involved unanswered statutory demands, offsetting claims and contested insolvency issues. Outcomes included winding-up orders, negotiated withdrawals, dismissal of applications and costs orders.

Frequently asked questions