James Wardlaw

James Wardlaw is both a Partner and Director at Kindra Migration Lawyers and an Accredited Specialist in Immigration Law as recognised by the Law Institute of Victoria. With over a decade of dedicated practice, James has garnered a reputation for his adept handling of complex migration issues, including tribunal appeals, judicial reviews, and corporate compliance matters. Since embarking on his legal career in 2012, James has lent his expertise to prominent organisations such as Victoria Legal Aid and the Asylum Seeker Resource Centre. He is a regular speaker at prestigious national conferences, including the Law Council of Australia Immigration Law Conference, and provides training to upcoming lawyers at the Law Institute of Victoria and Leo Cussen Centre for Law. James's significant contributions to the legal profession have not gone unnoticed. He was twice a finalist for the Law Institute of Victoria Rising Star Award and was honoured as the Migration Partner of the Year at the 2024 Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards. He is also a sought-after voice in the media, providing expert commentary on immigration matters for outlets like SBS, ABC, and Lawyers Weekly, and he has even served as an expert witness. Beyond his professional commitments, James engages in a variety of outdoor activities, including ice hockey, mountain biking, and surfing, along with playing the saxophone. His academic credentials include a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce, with double majors in International Trade and Economic Policy, and Economics, from Deakin University. James holds an Australian practising certificate and maintains membership with the Law Institute of Victoria.