George Lombard

George Lombard serves as Special Counsel at PLAYFAIR, bringing over two decades of experience as a distinguished Principal Solicitor and registered migration agent. Acclaimed in the field of migration law, George holds the prestigious title of Fellow with the Migration Institute of Australia (MIA), contributing significantly to the industry's development through training and ongoing professional education since 2003. He offers proficient advice on a wide range of visa types, notably including global and distinguished talent visas. George's career is marked by an impressive tenure with the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees as a Legal Officer, enhancing his insight into international humanitarian law. He has also held pivotal roles within the Commonwealth Attorney-General’s Department and as a member of the Social Security Appeals Tribunal. His dedication to social justice initiatives is underscored by his consultancy with the Australian Council for Overseas Aid and his insightful publications on migration policies featured in The Canberra Times. George's legal journey commenced upon admission to the roll of Barristers of the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1985, followed by his admission as a Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory. A graduate with Honours in Law, he also possesses a Graduate Diploma in Public Law. Beyond his legal practice, George is a national board member of the MIA and has contributed his expertise for 26 years as a board member of STARTTS, a prominent refugee therapy organisation in NSW. Fluent in Bengali, German, and French, George is committed to fostering effective communication between government bodies and the migration sector. An ardent supporter of the AFL, he remains hopeful for a St Kilda premiership in the seasons to come.