Our People

Sam Norton - LL.B., B.A.

Sam holds a Bachelor of Arts (Politics Major) and a Bachelor of Laws from Deakin University and was admitted to practice in 2001, and in 2008 obtained specialist accreditation in Criminal Law.

Sam is a member of Criminal and Human Rights section of the Law Institute, as well as a member of the Australian Lawyers Alliance. He is also a Solicitor Volunteer at the North Melbourne Legal Service.

Sam joined Robert Stary and Associates in the latter part of 2006, having previously worked for Radford Legal in Stawell and St Arnaud, Lucas and Marshman in Horsham and a number of Government positions in London.

Sam’s Reflections:

• Practicing Criminal Law provides an opportunity to assist people when coming up against the exercise of power by the state. It is vital that all people in our community are afforded quality legal representation, and that is never more important than in Criminal Law.
• This area of law gives me exposure to the broadest possible cross section of our community and a chance to help members across that spectrum. That is something that no other area of practice can offer, and of which I am grateful.

Amelia Beech - B.A., L.L.B.

Amelia completed a Bachelor of Arts (Major in Politics: International Relations), and Bachelor of Law at Monash University. Amelia undertook articled clerkship at Robert Stary and Associates in 2007 – 2008, and was admitted to practice in 2008.

Amelia currently volunteers at the Women’s Legal Service, and has had previous volunteer roles at the Victorian Aboriginal Legal Service (VALS), the Public Interest Law Clearing House (PILCH) and Springvale Monash Legal Service.

Memberships include Australian Lawyers Alliance, Voiceless (Animal law fund), and PILCH and Human Right Law Resource Centre; and special interests include Women’s legal issues, Human rights in sentencing, and Public interest cases.

Amelia’s Reflections:

• I believe that everyone’s story is important and ought to be heard, regardless of the criminal charges they face.
• My goal is to provide a conduit between our clients and the law; I aim to make my client’s individual stories known to the Court in an effort to reach a just outcome.
• I strive to provide a sense of individual justice for my clients.

Evelyn Shaw - B.A., LL.B.

Evelyn recently completed her Bachelor of Arts (French Major) and Bachelor of Laws at Monash University, and recently completed a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice.

She commenced work full time with Robert Stary & Associates as a Trainee Solicitor in October 2008 and was admitted to practice in 2009.

Evelyn has in the past volunteered with PILCH, Springvale Monash Legal Service and the Monash Oakleigh Legal Service.

Evelyn’s Reflections:

• Criminal defence law provides me with the opportunity to assist people who don't have the ability or resources to manage their own interaction with the criminal justice system.
• Working at Robert Stary and Associates, I'm fortunate enough to actively participate in the most community focussed & public interest aspect of the legal profession.