Marcel Vaarzon-Morel
Principal Solicitor & Consultant
Marcel has two passions in life – boating and marine lawyering. A qualified shipwright, he owned and managed a successful boat building business for eighteen years before returning to university in order to fulfil a lifelong desire to pursue a career in law.
The Maritime experience that Marcel has is not limited to textbook cases but, drawn practically from real boating experience, working as a Shipwright and running his own Marine Business for 30 years.
A lifetime of boating Marcel Vaarzon-Morel started his boating career while still in nappies. His much older siblings would take him out on a old VJ Dinghy and it is from this humble beginning that he worked his way through many Dinghy classes. His sailing experience eventually entered the world of Yacht Racing and Cruising. This avid sailor combined with his 30 years of Marine Industry experience and success as an award winning Legal Practice makes Marcel Vaarzon-Morel a marine specialist.
You will be in the unique position to consult a Lawyer who understands all things nautical. The benefit you will get from using this Maritime Lawyer's practical experience and knowledge of Maritime Law is fully realised when he considers your problem. An example of this was where a client initially consulted with a general lawyer. This generalist could not understand the jargon let alone the structure of the boat. However, after meeting with Marcel, the client knew exactly where they stood legally and the weakness of their case. The cost savings that can be made and security you get by using our Maritime Lawyer cannot be underestimated and may mean the difference of success.
Marcel is also passionate advocate for the Maritime Industry and the boating public alike writing in numerous hardcopy and online Marine Publications that have both domestic and international readership. Our Maritime Services have been recognised by receiving an award from AIMEX, the peak body representing the Australian Marine Export and Superyacht Industries.
Marcel sits on the board of directors of the NSW Ship and Boatbuilding Association (SBA), and is a member of the Boating Industry Association (BIA), the Maritime Law Association of Australia and New Zealand (MLAANZ), and Superyacht Australia. Marcel remains an active and enthusiastic yachtsman, and a passionate advocate for the maritime industry. He regularly publishes legal articles in the BIA Logbook, Marine Business and Ocean’s Magazine.
Troy Martin
Troy Martin has over five years of background in contractual, commercial and litigation within the maritime industry. He has appeared in various courts such as NSW Court of Appeal, Federal Court, NSW Supreme Court, Family Court of Appeal, NSW District Court, Federal Circuit Court, NSW Local Court, and the ACT Magistrates Court in various matters including commercial litigation, civil litigation, negligence and equity. In 2017 Troy was instructing solicitor for a successful Supreme Court action under the Contracts Review Act and the National Consumer Credit Protection Act.
In 2019 he was successful in a claim in the Supreme Court on matters for Undue Influence and Unconscionable Conduct. In addition to litigation, Troy provides sound commercial and practical advice on contractual matters for maritime businesses (established and startups) and individuals on yacht purchases, imports and builds (ranging between $300,000-$120 million).
Troy has authored numerous legal articles in various publications with the aim to inform the public about current legal matters affecting the marine industry. He enjoys providing sound, effective and practical legal advice to all his clients to ensure not only successful outcomes but continued risk minimisation and future success.
Outside of work Troy enjoys cooking to some music with a wine in hand.
Tamara Tate
Office/Administration Manager
Tamara joined Vaarzon-Morel Lawyers in July 2015 as Office/Administration Manager and Marketing and is a valued member of a team of lawyers who go above and beyond in meeting the needs of each and every new and existing client.
With over 25 years experience in the customer service industry and 15 years in management Tamara understands the importance of customer service and meeting client needs and knows what it takes to manage a business.
Tamara completed a Bachelor of Business degree at the University of Newcastle, majoring in Marketing and Management beginning a career in the Banking and Finance industry while still at University. Having completed her degree Tamara secured the position as a Building Society branch manager for a highly customer-focussed organisation and continued in that role for over 7 years. Since then Tamara has managed her own family-own
Tamara naturally enjoys helping people and enjoys the variety in her role whilst supporting the team and clients in a growing business. The skills and experience that Tamara brings to her role in the administration and the smooth running of the office provides a valuable contribution to the team at Vaarzon-Morel Lawyers.