Melissa Bush has been a solicitor since 1996 and founded Shire Legal in Miranda (Sutherland Shire) in 2003, building it into a dynamic and innovative legal practice. With more than 30 years in law over 20 of them running her own firm, Melissa combines a solid grasp of the law with a practical, client-focused approach that consistently delivers excellent results. You can read her clients’ testimonials here.

Melissa completed her Bachelor of Commerce / Bachelor of Laws (with Honours) at the University of Wollongong in 1994 while working as a paralegal for a sole practitioner. She then worked as an investigator in the Canberra head office of the Australian Competition & Consumer Commission (formerly the Trade Practices Commission), before being admitted as a Solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales in 1996. Following admission she practised at a local firm in commercial litigation (Local, District and Family Courts, and the CTTT), personal injury and property law (conveyancing, leasing and mortgages), before broadening her experience as a Senior Associate in large multinational firms in the Sydney CBD across property law, commercial litigation (District, Supreme and Federal Courts), franchising, insurance law, intellectual property and trade practices.

In 2017, Melissa was appointed a Notary Public of the Supreme Court of New South Wales. She has since completed a Master of Laws (Applied Law) in Business Law and the Australian Institute of Company Directors’ Company Directors Course, deepening her expertise in business, governance and strategic decision-making. As both an accredited mediator and an accredited adviser with the Family Business Association, Melissa brings a rare combination of legal, commercial and conflict-resolution skills to support her clients at every stage of their journey.