Nicholas van Hattem

Nicholas van Hattem is a barrister with experience in commercial, government and criminal law matters. He has a particular focus on commercial disputes involving government agencies and regulatory prosecutions – particularly environmental, occupational safety and health and mining.

Nick began his career in 2008 as associate to the Hon Justice Miller before taking articles with Freehills in 2009. His practice as a solicitor included in-house roles in banking and mining; and one year with the Aboriginal Legal Service practicing in human rights, civil and criminal law.

In 2013 Nick joined the State Solicitor’s Office. He was engaged in a broad range of counsel work, appearing in the Magistrates, Coroner’s, District and Supreme Courts; State Administrative Tribunal; WA Industrial Relations Commission; and Liquor Commission. Nick has trial and appellate experience as counsel.

He was reclassified as Assistant State Solicitor in 2017, and seconded to WA Police where he acted as an advisor and counsel.

In 2011 Nick co-founded the Piddington Society, and launched the Piddington Justice Project – an initiative to connect law graduates with community legal centres – four years later. In 2017 he was named by the Law Society as Lawyer of the Year.