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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.
Director
Shan Lawyers
Feb 2024 - Present • 2 years 9 months
Associate
Saunders Family & Estate Lawyers
Feb 2022 - Jan 2024 • 1 year 11 months
Lawyer
Kelly and Chapman Lawyers
Apr 2019 - Feb 2022 • 2 years 10 months
Solicitor
Hymans Solicitors
Feb 2015 - Mar 2019 • 4 years 1 month
Graduate Trainee Lawyer
Fogarty Bayard & Oliver Lawyers
Feb 2014 - Jun 2014 • 4 months
Law Clerk
Sunshine Youth Legal Community Centre
Jun 2013 - Oct 2013 • 4 months
Volunteer - Clerical and Administrative Work
Victoria Legal Aid
May 2013 - Oct 2013 • 5 months
Junior Lawyer
B.L. Jayakandan Assosiates
Dec 2006 - Mar 2009 • 2 years 3 months
Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
The College of Law Australia
2012 - 2013
Bachelor of Laws (LLB), Law
Victoria University
2011 - 2013
Bachelor of Law (B.L)
Dr Ambedkar Government Law College, Tamil Nadu, India
2005 - 2008
Bachelor of Commerce (B.Com)
A.Doraisamy Nadar Maragathavalli Ammal College for Women
2002 - 2005
Last checked: 14 May 2026 • Checked with Victorian Legal Services
