Marcus Schivo is an Associate in our Wills, Trusts & Estates group.
Marcus shares his career highlight to date and what he is looking forward to in 2021.
Favourite holiday spot?
Chamonix, France, and Courmayeur, Italy (they’re connected via the Mont Blanc tunnel), home to some of the finest alpine scenery, hikes, and skiing in the world. The history, cuisine, culture, and architecture add to the charm and attraction.
I am also particularly fond of visiting Bassano del Grappa in the Veneto region of Italy, for family reasons – my grandparents and great-grandparents emigrated from the area to Australia. It’s a beautiful area of Italy to visit that’s off the well-worn tourist trails.
What is your morning ritual/exercise regime?
A combination of running and lifting weights most evenings. I’m fortunate to be able to live in close proximity to the many great paths around inner Melbourne, such as the Tan, St Kilda Road, in and around Yarra Park and the MCG, and along the Yarra River itself.
Why did you choose law and your practice area?
I think perhaps reading many John Grisham novels played a part in me choosing a career in Law. After graduating with a Bachelor of Commerce, a career in finance and the corporate world didn’t appeal to me, and I obtained my Bachelor of Laws thereafter.
Wills, Trusts & Estates chose me, and not the other way around. When I first started working as a law graduate, the practice that I was working for had a Probate clerk who had just gone on maternity leave prior to my commencement. I took over her files and quickly learnt in the role about how to prepare Probate applications, administer deceased estates, and how to act in matters concerning claims for further provision. I have since completed a Masters of Laws, specialising in Wills & Estates, and Estate Planning, and practise exclusively in these areas.
What has been a career highlight?
Acting for clients in a defamation matter which proceeded to trial in the Supreme Court of Victoria, in which my clients were successful at first instance. The matter was then appealed by the parties, and the award of damages was then significantly increased on appeal. One aspect of the case was then remitted back to the Supreme Court’s trial division and became the subject of an application for special leave to the High Court.
I was able to work closely with and instruct junior and senior counsel throughout the entire process, including in the Court of Appeal.
What are you looking forward to?
Being able to travel interstate in 2021. My plans of travelling to the USA and Canada earlier this year had to be shelved, so I am looking forward to travelling with my partner to her family home in Queensland in April 2021, and spending some time with her family on Great Keppel Island, where they have a home.
What do you enjoy most about working with your clients?
Guiding my clients through what can often be challenging, emotional, and difficult circumstances. Whether it is something relatively straightforward, such as the drafting of a Will, or something extremely challenging and complex, like bringing a claim for further provision from an estate, I find it satisfying to be able to obtain results for my clients that they are ultimately happy with.