Meet the Team
Meet Our Team of Lawyers
Anthony Perich
Director
Principal Lawyer
Notary Public NT/NSW/QLD
Prior to starting his own practice, Anthony was employed for many years with two highly regarded law firms – a multinational top-tier law firm where he was appointed an Associate and, earlier in his career, a lawyer for a highly regarded banking and finance law firm in Sydney.
Having years of experience in the banking and finance industry, he has acted for all the major Australian banks (including the big four) and has hands-on experience and knowledge in structuring and documenting complex commercial, corporate and project finance facilities. He has ample experience in mortgagee and debt recovery matters, including advising lenders in relation to their enforcement options and strategic plans for debt recovery.
As team leader for the leasing team, he has a solid leasing practice that provides leasing advice and transactional document preparation for both landlord and tenant. This includes legal advice to prospective tenants, disclosure requirements under the Retail Shop Leases Act, rights of termination, re-entry, make good, negotiation and mediation, dispute resolution etc.
As the team leader for the migration law, corporate and employer sponsorship section, he handles complex migration applications for a vast range of visa subclasses and heads a team of several members for this section. He is also a Registered Migration Advisor for New Zealand (No. 201200560) and has ample knowledge of most New Zealand visas. His predominant focus is on Skilled Migrant Category Visas (points test based); Essential Skills – Work Visas; Talent (Accredited Employer) Visas, Specific Purpose Work Visas and family related visas, including Partner, Retirement and Parent Visas.
Anthony also undertakes the duties of a Notary Public. He is admitted to practice as a Notary Public in the Northern Territory, New South Wales and Queensland. He was appointed by the Supreme Court of New South Wales on 18 November 2011 to practice in New South Wales and then appointed to practice in Queensland by the Archbishop of Canterbury acting through the Master of the Faculties in the United Kingdom on 6 August 2019. He is the only Notary Public who is admitted to practice in three jurisdictions/States (Northern Territory, New South Wales and Queensland).
Anthony has advised companies such as ANZ, NAB, St George, Bankwest, Carla Zampatti, Team Penske (V8 Racing), Gold Coast Suns FC, Swisse Australia, Jiffy Group and several other national and international corporations.
He regularly writes news updates and legal briefs and delivers internal seminars on a broad range of topics associated with the legal industry. He has guest lectured Immigration Law to law students for over 10 years at Bond University, Faculty of Law.
Areas of Practice:
- Migration Law
- Banking and Finance Law
- Leasing Law
- Notary Public Services
Qualifications:
- Master of Laws
- Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
- Bachelor of Business
- Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice
Admitted:
- Supreme Court of New South Wales
- High Court of Australia
Memberships:
- Queensland Law Society
- Migration Alliance
- New South Wales Society of Notaries
- Queensland Society of Notaries Inc
Mathew Perich
Co-Founder
Lawyer
Mathew Perich is the Founder and Director of This Is Australia, and Founder and Lawyer for TIA Lawyers. Mathew has been assisting clients with all aspects of migration law and policy since 2002 and is well renowned among migration colleagues and the Department of Home Affairs.
He has managed thousands of migration applications, which has resulted in thousands of satisfied clients. His ample knowledge has added tremendous value to the firm’s success and development. For these reasons, This Is Australia now acts for and is on the panel for many national and multi-national corporate enterprises.
Along with providing Migration assistance and advice since 2002, Mathew holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honors and is a Migration Lawyer. He is also a member of the Migration Institute of Australia. Mathew also regularly writes news updates and legal briefs and delivers internal seminars on a broad range of topics associated with the migration industry. Mathew also lectures Immigration Law Policy at Bond University, Faculty of Law every year since 2014.
Areas of Practice:
- Migration Law
Qualifications:
-
Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
Admitted:
- Supreme Court of Queensland
Memberships:
- Queensland Law Society
- Migration Institute of Australia
- Migration Alliance
Ernie Hu holds a Bachelor of Laws with Honours from Bond University where he was also awarded with the First in Class achievement for Immigration Law. Despite experience with property, leasing and commercial law early in his legal career, his keen interest in helping migrants like he once was in 1995 has led him to practice exclusively in migration law.
Having joined This is Australia Lawyers in 2011, Ernie primarily focuses on complex migration matters such as character/integrity waivers, family violence provisions, health waivers, sponsorship monitoring, Administrative Review Tribunal applications and Ministerial Intervention requests across all visa subclasses.
As each complex matter is unique, Ernie utilises a personal approach by taking the time to really know his clients’ history and circumstances and using this information to structure concise but detailed legal arguments and submissions. It is with this approach that Ernie has achieved a comparatively high success rate across his matters, including earning commendations from Tribunal Members during hearings for his diligent representation of his clients.
Ernie is also experienced in handling business and investor visas which, along with his fluency in Mandarin, has assisted high net-worth individuals make multi-million dollar investments into Australia.
Areas of Practice:
- Migration Law
- Education Law
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Laws (Hons)
- Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (Bond University)
Admitted:
- Supreme Court of Queensland
Memberships:
- Queensland Law Society
Other Languages:
- Mandarin
Sookyi Leong holds a Bachelor of Laws and Commerce from Griffith University.
Sookyi’s interest in migration law stemmed from her personal experience having emigrated to Australia over 14 years ago. Being new to the country at the time, she found the process to be a complex and challenging one but was fortunate to have the support of professionals in the field.
Sookyi has been with This is Australia Lawyers since 2012 and her personal journey has inspired her to practice exclusively in migration law. Sookyi has vast experience across a wide range of visa subclasses which enables her to develop practical strategies for clients with complex visa histories without compromising their long term goals. She also prides herself on being able to achieve successful results for clients who have experienced adverse visa outcomes prior to appointing our services.
She has a great understanding of the international education sector which has enabled her to advise on complex student visa matters dealing with compliance/ integrity as well as Administrative Review Tribunal applications. Sookyi primarily focuses on Family visas which include partner, parent, child as well as NZ Family Relationship visas.
Sookyi has also undertaken pro-bono work for the St Vincent de Paul Society Queensland since 2012 and is a valued, long term volunteer with the organisation.
Areas of Practice:
- Migration Law
Qualifications:
- Bachelor of Laws
- Bachelor of Commerce
- Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (College of Law)
Admitted:
- Supreme Court of Queensland
Memberships:
- Queensland Law Society
Other Languages:
- Malaysian
Charlie Quinn
Managing Director
Charlie Quinn is the Managing Director of This is Australia Lawyers.
Charlie brings extensive experience in law firm operations, client service and business management. Before relocating to the Northern Territory, he spent seven years as Office Manager of the This is Australia Queensland office, where he supported the firm’s day-to-day operations, client systems and professional service delivery.
Charlie has strong knowledge of the international education sector. He is a qualified PIER Education Agent and a qualified Vocational Trainer and Assessor, giving him a clear understanding of student pathways, education provider operations and the needs of international clients.
Charlie is also experienced in business development and relationship management. He is known for his clear communication style, practical approach and ability to build strong professional relationships with clients, agents, education providers and industry partners.
As Managing Director, Charlie is focused on supporting the firm’s continued growth, maintaining high service standards and strengthening This is Australia Lawyers’ relationships across the migration, legal and international education sectors.
Sheree Ly
Chief Executive Officer
Sheree Ly is the Chief Executive Officer of This is Australia Lawyers.
Sheree brings extensive business ownership, operations and management experience to the firm. She has a strong background in business administration, customer service and finance, with practical experience across both professional services and commercial operations.
Before joining This is Australia Lawyers, Sheree worked in the commercial real estate industry, where she developed strong skills in client communication, business systems and relationship management.
Known for her professionalism, strong work ethic and clear communication style, Sheree plays an important role in leading the firm’s operations, supporting its continued growth and maintaining a high standard of service for clients, staff and professional partners.
Gary Du Chateau
Co-Founder & Head of Business Development
Gary Du Chateau is the Co-Founder and Head of Business Development of This is Australia Lawyers.
Gary is a highly experienced and widely respected figure in Australia’s international education and migration sectors. He is also the Director of Australia Student Recruitment, an affiliate of TIA Lawyers, and a qualified education agent with the QEAC registration number QEACC126.
With a long association with the international student market, Gary has advised thousands of clients on study options, career pathways and practical opportunities in Australia. His knowledge spans universities, vocational education providers, private business networks and employment pathways, allowing him to give students clear, practical and commercially informed guidance.
Gary’s strength lies in building trusted relationships. Through his extensive network of business owners, education providers, agents and industry contacts, he has helped connect many students with vocational workplace opportunities, improving their employment outcomes and strengthening their transition from study to work.
Gary also brings vast experience in commercial real estate, business ownership and business development. This background gives him a strong understanding of client service, commercial relationships and long-term business growth.
Known for his honesty, professionalism and strong personal network, Gary has built a trusted reputation across the international student sector and remains a key driver of the firm’s business development and industry relationships.
The Rest of our Loyal Team
Edelyn Mejarito – Paralegal (English/Filipino)
Arnold Calimlim – Paralegal (English/Filipino)
Maria Arreza – Contract Administrator (Cebuano, Tagalog, English)
Steve Rungassamy – Case Manager, Migration (English, French, Mauritian Creole)
Audrey Leong – Case Manager, Migration (English, Malaysian)
Joy Bolastig – Administration Assistant and Case Manager, Migration (English, Talalog, Cebuano)