Catherine Follett

Catherine Follett is the Director and principal lawyer at MSM Legal, bringing extensive experience in migration, citizenship, wills, and estates law. She began her legal career in 1996 as a Judge’s Associate before spending four years at the Attorney General’s Department. Transitioning to private practice in 2001, Catherine initially focused on criminal defence. Her international experience includes two years as the Immigration Manager for the Australian Embassy in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic. Upon returning, she held leadership and legal roles in the mining and energy sectors, including as Country Manager for McDonald Steed McGrath’s Lao office and later in their Adelaide office, where she worked across commercial, resources, and immigration matters. Since becoming owner and Director of MSM Legal in 2017, Catherine has concentrated on a broad range of immigration law issues for both corporate and individual clients, handling matters from initial applications to appeals. Her expertise has been recognised repeatedly in Doyle’s Guide as a leading immigration lawyer. In addition to her migration law practice, Catherine leads the firm’s Wills and Estates practice, advising clients on drafting wills and other testamentary documents, as well as assisting with contested estates. Catherine holds a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts from the University of Adelaide, a Graduate Certificate of Legal Practice from the University of South Australia, a Masters of Public and International Law from the University of Melbourne, and a Graduate Diploma in Applied Law (Wills & Estates) from the College of Law. She is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of South Australia and listed on the Register of Practitioners of the High Court of Australia. Catherine is also a graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors. She is an active member of the Law Society of South Australia, the Migration Institute of Australia, the Women Lawyers Association, and Women At The Table. Catherine has also contributed her leadership skills as former President of YMCA Walkerville and as a board member of YMCA Australia. Fluent in English, French and Portuguese, Catherine combines local and international perspectives to provide thorough and practical legal advice to her clients.