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  • Catholic Clergy Claims
    Catholic Clergy Claims
    Dr Vivian Waller has acted in claims against Catholic Clergy since 1995.
  • State Ward Claims
    State Ward Claims
    Dr Viv Waller has acted for former wards of the state of Victoria since 1997 when she commenced group litigation on behalf of many former residents of the Ballarat Orphanage who were abused in care.
  • The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
    The Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse
    Established in January 2013, the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse investigated how institutions like schools, churches and sporting groups responded to allegations of child sexual abuse.

Team

Dr Waller was instrumental in the Royal Commission into the Institutional Responses to Child Sexual Abuse where she represented 20 survivor witnesses in case studies inquiring into the Melbourne Response, Victorian State Wards, Yeshiva Bondi and Melbourne, Catholic Church Authorities in Ballarat and the Criminal Justice System.

Dr Vivian Waller

Principal Solicitor
Vivian Waller

 

Dr Vivian Waller is a solicitor and the principal of Waller Legal, a legal practice dedicated to looking after victims of crime and those who have endured sexual assault or child abuse.

She was admitted to legal practice in 1995 and has represented victim/survivors of sexual assault for nearly 20 years.

Viv graduated from law at Monash University where she later taught law and lectured in politics before being admitted to practice in 1995. Viv has completed a doctorate at the University of Melbourne in civil claims for compensation for childhood sexual assault and in particular the unique psychological effects of childhood sexual assault and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. Her thesis was a comprehensive analysis of limitation periods (time limits) in sexual assault litigation.

Viv completed her articles at Slater & Gordon in 1994 and worked at that firm for four years. Whilst in that role she worked on the early sexual abuse cases against Catholic Clergy including cases against St John Of God and the Christian Brothers. In addition to this she worked on personal injury, medical negligence and public liability matters. Upon moving to the class action department she worked on international class action litigation including breast implant litigation proceedings issued Melbourne, Sydney and Texas and the Dow Corning Chapter 11 Bankruptcy.

She was formerly a Senior Associate at Maurice Blackburn where she worked for 10 years. In 1997 she commenced work for former wards of the state and has acted for many state wards assisting them to seek justice and compensation. She commenced this career long project with a group of cases in relation to mistreatment at the old Ballarat Orphanage. She has acted for state wards harmed in children's homes across Victoria and this remains an important part of her current practice. While at Maurice Blackburn she set up the Sexual Assault Unit, Australia's first legal practice dedicated solely to the provision of legal services to those who have been sexual assaulted. She continues do to this work in her own firm.

In 2005 the Victorian Women Lawyers bestowed upon her an Achievement Award for her services to victims of sexual assault. Viv acted for Carol Stingel in her successful High Court Appeal against Geoff Clark.

Establishing her own legal firm in February 2007, Viv continues her work for those who have been the victim of a crime or endured sexual assault or abuse. Waller Legal represents hundreds of clients each year, helping them to access justice, financial assistance and compensation.

In the pursuit of justice for sexual assault victims Viv has taken action against individual offenders, footballers, doctors, hospitals, teachers, social workers, psychiatrists, priests, religious orders, Christian Brothers, Salesian Brothers, Franciscan Friars, children's homes and orphanages, government departments, childcare centres and schools. Sadly, Catholic Clergy are vastly over represented as Defendants in her practice.

Viv is a member of the Law Institute of Victoria and Victorian Women Lawyers.

In The News
Testimonials

  • You are a wonderful warrior for truth and justice.

    Mary

  • Thank you so much for your efforts in this matter, and your patience with my frustrations as well.

    BQ

  • I would like to thank you for all you have done for me. The steps taken thus far have helped me greatly. Without your help I am not sure where I would be today, on behalf of myself and my family THANKYOU SO MUCH.

    Garry

  • Many thanks to you and your team for the positive outcome regarding the Anglican Church of Melbourne.

    Although nothing will erase the memories and feelings I still harbour, I at least now feel somewhat satisfied that I have had a win in all of this.

    Mark White

  • It has been a long journey trying to get the Missionaries of the Sacred Heart to be held accountable for how they looked after me as a child many years ago.  Words cannot express how grateful I am to Viv Waller and her team who work tirelessly behind the scenes in getting justice.  For others who are considering seeking remuneration again an organisation that failed to look after your safety and well-being, I have no hesitation in recommending Waller Legal. 

    DR

  • Thank you so much from me personally.  This decision has actually turned my life back around.  I didn’t realise how much my heart was hurting from anger and disbelief in the system.

    My heart is lighter and more at peace thanks to you all.  As a family we are unable to find suitable words on how much your efforts, consideration and concern means to us.  At last someone fought and believed in us.  Truly you have given us all so much peace.

    WK

  • What Dr Waller has achieved for me is nothing short of a miracle.  At the age of 60 I was feeling very upset at the abuse that I had encountered as a very young girl at the hands of a Salesian Brother.  My dealings with the Salesians many years later to try and resolve the matter left a very bitter taste in my mouth.  In fact, they made me feel abused all over again.  Vivian Waller was referred to me by Broken Rites, and that was the day my life changed.  I am so grateful that my words feel a little trite.

    Vivian has a no nonsense approach, keeps you on track, is honest, and like a dog with a bone, she keeps you going to have the desired outcome.  The world needs more Vivians.  Myself and my family are forever grateful to you.  Thanks mate, you’re my hero.

    Cathie

  • Again we cannot thank you enough for all your dedication and hard work over the past few years, we would not have made it without your persistence and dogged determination to get this to settlement stage, many others would have settled for less. We now have a girl who has beaten the odds, and whose self esteem has rocketed, is confident, and especially is calm!

    We wish you all good things in life, as without lawyers like yourself who will take the risk of taking on the "untouchables" we would not have kept our girl on track or most importantly, alive. The road for her is still to be traveled, but this will assist in making the journey less troubled, and we hope with time and continued therapy she will see herself as a complete person and not as a shadow of who she could be.

    You will be forever in our thoughts.

    TJ

  • Thank you Vivian, I really appreciate all your help, you have given me a second chance in life.

    RF

  • Thank you so much for all of your hard work this year getting my VOCAT application together, and for the fantastic outcome. While I am still dealing with the emotional ramifications of what happened to me, I now feel like I have the means to continue rebuilding myself and my life. Thank you.

    CC
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