Justice Sam Samarakoon, our esteemed founder, is a legal luminary with an illustrious career spanning multiple continents and decades. He serves as the Director of Melbourne International Lawyers Ltd in Australia, bringing with him a depth of experience and knowledge rarely paralleled in the legal industry.
Sam is not just a former High Court Judge (Appellate Court) of Sri Lanka but was also the chief judge of the District Court of Colombo. His service as a District Judge and Magistrate of Sri Lanka for nearly 26 years has left an indelible mark in the sphere of law.
As a Barrister & Solicitor in Victoria, Australia, and an Attorney – at – Law in Sri Lanka, he has championed numerous cases, offering sound legal counsel and championing justice. He is also recognised as a Justice of Peace in both Sri Lanka and New Zealand.
His contribution to the field of law extends beyond practicing. He is a seasoned law lecturer, having imparted knowledge on Contract and Commercial Law and Administrative Law at the tertiary level in Sri Lanka. He has also served as a Law Tutor with Tallpoppy Tutors in Australia, mentoring the next generation of legal minds.
Dr Ajith Anawaratna is a Victorian-qualified practising solicitor with an exceptional breadth of international legal and judicial experience. His career uniquely spans senior judicial office, public service, and private legal practice, offering clients a level of insight and perspective rarely found in contemporary legal practice.
Before relocating to Australia, Dr Anawaratna served with distinction in Sri Lanka’s judiciary as a Magistrate, District Judge, and High Court Judge (Civil Appellate). These roles provided him with extensive experience in adjudication, statutory interpretation, and appellate-level reasoning across a wide range of legal matters.
In Australia, Dr Anawaratna has worked with Victoria Legal Aid, advising and representing clients in criminal law and family violence intervention order matters, including court appearances and procedural advocacy. He has also gained private-practice experience in TAC claims, WorkCover matters, and public litigation, giving him a well-rounded understanding of both publicly funded and privately conducted legal proceedings.
Academically, Dr Anawaratna holds an LLB, two Master of Laws (LLM) degrees—including a research-based LLM—and a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD), awarded by leading institutions in Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom, and Australia. He has also contributed to legal education as a Business Law tutor at La Trobe University, reflecting his strong research, analytical, and teaching capabilities.
Dr Anawaratna’s professional interests include criminal law, public law, international trade law, and investment law, particularly where matters involve cross-border or comparative legal issues. He is recognised for his measured, principled, and solution-focused approach, combining judicial discipline with practical advocacy to deliver clear, ethical, and effective legal outcomes for clients.
Mr Kasup Dewage is a highly qualified lawyer with a strong multidisciplinary background spanning international human rights law, commercial law, criminology, and information technology. He brings a globally informed and analytically rigorous approach to legal practice, supported by advanced academic training and international exposure.
Mr Dewage holds multiple postgraduate qualifications, including a Master of Laws (LLM) and Master of Commercial Law (MCL) from the University of Melbourne, a Master of Legal Practice and Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the Australian National University, and a Master of Criminology from the University of Sydney. He completed his Bachelor of Laws (Honours) through a transnational program with Deakin University and Widener University (USA).
In addition to his legal qualifications, Mr Dewage holds both a Bachelor of Information Technology and a Master of Information Technology, providing him with a strong technical foundation to advise on matters involving technology-driven legal issues, regulatory compliance, data governance, and emerging digital risks.
He further strengthened his international legal perspective through specialist training in International Human Rights Law at the University of Oxford Summer School (2023).
Mr Dewage is valued for his strong research capability, precision in legal analysis, and ability to manage complex legal issues at the intersection of law, technology, and human rights. He works collaboratively within the firm to deliver clear, practical, and forward-thinking legal solutions, particularly for clients with cross-border, regulatory, or internationally sensitive matters.
