Thirumalai Shanmugam

Thirumalai Selvi Shanmugam, known as Shelvi, is the founding Legal Director and Principal Lawyer at Shan Lawyers. With a broad legal background, Thirumalai is highly experienced and proficient in areas such as family law, wills and estate, property law, and more complex matters like commercial and civil litigation. Fluent in both English and Tamil, she is particularly adept at serving clients from multicultural backgrounds, offering insightful and empathetic legal advice especially in family law cases that demand cultural sensitivity. Thirumalai's practice encompasses a wide array of legal domains including family violence orders, enduring powers of attorney, and employment disputes. Her approach prioritises amicable resolutions, yet she is well-prepared to employ her extensive court experience when litigation becomes necessary, advocating passionately to secure the best outcomes for her clients. Her education combines international exposure with local legal qualifications, having completed a Bachelor of Laws from Victoria University in Melbourne and a Bachelor of Law from The Tamil Nadu Dr Ambedkar Law University in Chennai, India. This international perspective enriches her understanding of the legal challenges faced by her clients, particularly within the Tamil-speaking community. In addition to her legal practice, Thirumalai contributes to her community through volunteer work at the Peninsula Legal Community Centre, reflecting her commitment to social justice and public service. She is actively involved with several professional organisations, including the Family Law Section of the Law Council of Australia, the Law Institute of Victoria, and the Victorian Women Lawyers, underlining her dedication to the legal profession. Thirumalai's unique combination of local and international legal expertise, coupled with her dedication to client-centred service, makes her a trusted advocate for her clients, helping them navigate complex legal landscapes with care and professionalism.