Principal
Mittu Gopalan is a practicing solicitor with over 20 years of experience in the legal profession. Notable highlights over this period include: obtaining her legal qualifications at Sydney University in 1996; becoming an Associate and later a Partner at another legal firm; and establishing her own practice.
Areas of Practice
Mittu has developed expertise in the areas of: Family Law; Family Provisions Claims; Commercial Law; Deceased Estate Claims; Wills; Debt Recovery; and Personal Injury Claims.
With considerable experience in all key areas of Family Law and a pragmatic mindset, Mittu brings her skills, experience, and her empathetic nature, to develop a range of options to assist clients during one of their most vulnerable times in their lives. Mittu’s aim is to always resolve issues in the most cost-efficient manner, and within a limited time. Over the years, Mittu has helped clients deal with the full spectrum of Family Law related issues including matters relating to: Spousal Maintenance; Complex Property Settlements; Child Support Matters; and Child Abduction (within Australia or internationally, especially in India).
Aside from Mittu’s drive and determination to to obtain the best possible outcome for her clients, Mittu’s compassionate and empathetic approach, and “being there” to assist clients during their difficult times is a quality that is widely acknowledged.
Recent Achievements
Mittu has taken part in a discussion with Gurudev Sri Sri Ravi Shankar on “Well-Being and Mental Health in the Digital Era” along with other dignitaries which included Australian leaders (Hon Ted Baillieu -former Premier of VIC, Mr. Yaz Mubarakai – MLA WA, Ms. Janine Freeman – MLA WA, Dr. G. K. Harinath – Chair Multicultural NSW). You can watch this discussion by clicking here.
Mittu Gopalan has recently been appointed as the Multicultural Ambassador for the City of Ryde to be part of Community Migrant Resource Centre and the City of Ryde. Having completed the training program which has been undertaken over the past few months, we are now ready to provide voluntary legal services relating to people in the community affected by domestic violence and abuse. This work will be done free of charge and especially directed towards migrants who are unemployed and are attempting to settle in Australia.
Mittu has recently celebrated 22 years of practice in the legal profession. She has reflected on what lessons she has learnt in this time, and what guides her in the daily work of a family lawyer and a business-owner. You can read the 22 lessons she has learned by clicking here.
Mittu received significant success and accompanying media attention in conducting a precedent case involving IVF procedures (see Sydney Morning Herald Article and Law Society Journal Article). She also recently acted on behalf of one of our clients in a Personal Injury Claim achieving a successful outcome. To read more about this, click here.
Mittu was recently involved in a parental abduction matter where a child had been taken to India without his mother’s consent. Mittu assisted the mother in obtaining Orders both here in Australia and with her contacts in India, in the Family Court in India to return the child to his mother.
Mittu’s ongoing efforts in delivering excellence in the legal profession and supporting the community has been recognized by the various associations. Mittu is a strong supporter and advocate of helping parents who are involved in domestic violence, substance abuse, and mental health issues, especially where children are involved.
Mittu’s Clients Say:
Recently, Mittu’s clients have commented:
“I cannot put into words how grateful I am for the help and support you have given me during the last 12 months. You literally took the hassle and worry away. I knew you were only at the end of the phone if I was concerned. Thank you so much, I now have the life I deserve and I couldn’t be happier. I would have no hesitation in referring you and your firm. Good luck and the warmest wishes for the future.” – Ms T Gleeson
“Professionalism, Compassion, Transparency, Accountability and Relevant Practical legal advice is what I received from Harry Freedman & Mittu Gopalan. Litigation is never easy. Having a dependable legal team that I could trust and rely upon was the cornerstone of my case. As a client I found it helpful that Mittu had the ability to be flexible in her outlook when taking instructions. She was timely and prompt in responding to my queries. The central location of Freedman & Gopalan’s office made commuting easy and I found the support staff always pleasant and helpful. I believe Freedman & Gopalan offer a one stop shop for disputants and their approach of trying to resolve matters at the lowest level possible is to their credit.” – Ms P Thadani
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Law (University of Sydney)
- Bachelor of Academic Law
Recent News and Achievements
In 2018 and 2019, Mittu and Freedman & Gopalan Solicitors were short-listed as a Finalist in the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards in the category of Boutique Diversity Law Firm of the Year.
In 2015, Mittu and her firm, Freedman & Gopalan Solicitors were finalists in the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards for Boutique Diversity Law Firm of the Year.
This nomination was based on F&G’s commitment to diversity in employment policies.
F&G places an emphasis on the value of women in the workforce and is humbled and proud to have been short-listed for this award. Read more about the award here.
In 2016, Mittu was a finalist in Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards for her outstanding performance in the area of Commercial Law. Mittu was recognised in her capacity as Principal of the firm. With her many years of expertise in Commercial Law and litigation, Mittu has ensured that her leadership in these areas fosters growth within her firm.
Mittu has recently been nominated as Business Woman of the Year in the India Australia Business & Community Awards for 2016. Mittu recently said that she believes “being a woman is always about striving to have a balanced life and enjoying every challenge, experience and moment that life has to offer.” Results for these awards will be announced at the Annual Award Ceremony on 28 October 2016.
She has also written for many publications and one of her articles was shortlisted for the Inaugural Women of Diversity Dinner to be held on 17 September 2016. To read Mittu’s article, click here.
To read Mittu’s most recent article on motherhood, achievement and juggling it all, in honour of Mothers’ Day, click here.
As part of the nomination for Business Woman of the Year, Mittu and her team put together a video about being a businessperson and being a woman, and what that meant to her:
Mittu has also recently participated in the auditions for Masterchef 2019, partaking in the Mystery Box Challenge and a Signature Dish Cook-Off. To see her delicious dishes, click here.
Memberships
Mittu is a member of the following organisations:
- Ryde Multicultural Ambassador (works with CMRC)
- Asian Australian Lawyers Association Inc
- Australia India Business Chamber
- Australian Institute of Credit Management
- City of Sydney Law Society
- Indo-Australian Chamber of Commerce
- The India Club
- New South Wales Business Chamber
- Women Lawyers Association of NSW
- SEVA International Inc. (honorary legal adviser)
- AASHA (honorary legal adviser)
- Metro Malayalam (honorary legal adviser).