Mrs Anne Whiting, health professional

" [The firm] were open and honest from the start. I had discussed my needs with two other solicitors who were quite negative in their appraisal. Brett impressed me because he did not give me false hopes. He explained the difficulties and the costs in language I could understand. At all times I was kept informed of progress and expected outcomes. My queries were answered promptly. My phone calls returned mostly within an hour. I know it is a busy practice but I always felt that I was a valued customer. I cannot talk too highly of the service I received. My result was positive but even had this not been so I could be sure that the practice had worked tirelessly and diligently on my behalf. Thank you Brett and Katerina. "

Ms Deidre O’Donnell, business professional

" My immigration case had to be put together and presented in a very short time, a matter of days. During this period I was given full attention and the progress was well communicated to me. It has to be said that there were many unusual aspects to my case, yet Brett Slater Solicitors used their skill and wide knowledge to unearth an excellent strategy. I was very impressed by the professionalism shown and the level of detail put into my case. When I delivered my case to the Department of Immigration in Melbourne, they commented to me that it was the best case of its kind that they had ever received. This was proven in the prompt positive results achieved. I highly recommend Brett Slater Solicitors. If I ever need assistance on any matter in the future, I shall be glad to be of benefit of their excellent services again. "

 Sudha Kunjithapatham, teacher

"I have no hesitation in recommending Brett Slater Solicitors to anyone who is in need of legal assistance with immigration matters. At a time when my family and I had almost lost hope, I was introduced to Mr Brett Slater by a friend and after my disappointing appointment with another legal firm I was rather apprehensive and tensed about what may arise (out) of my first consultation with Mr Slater. To my relief, Brett showed immense patience and absolute professionalism which inspired my confidence from the very first appointment. Under his competent guidance and distinctly clear instructions, we were able to produce the needed documents. Brett and his team helped our family to put forth our arguments in a logical and clear-cut manner that won my case in the Tribunal and today my family, my aging parents and I, are able to be free of a lot of stress, thanks to Brett Slater and his team, especially Monica and Simon.

Steven M. Schlichtemeier, Medical Practitioner

I had mistakenly let my student visa expire one day before I had applied for my next visa: a temporary medical practitioner's visa. After visiting the Department of Immigration and Multicultural Indigenous Affairs (DIMIA) on March 16, 2006. I was informed that I had become unlawful. I was also informed that not only was it uncertain whether the DIMIA would consider my visa application; it was also uncertain whether I would even be able to keep my job at Campbelltown Hospital. The DIMIA representative gave me several options none of which seemed to be that helpful. In the worst case, it was suggested that I would need to leave Australia and apply as an offshore applicant. However, there were no guarantees that I would be able to legally return to Australia. I definitely did not feel I had the knowledge to handle the situation alone and luckily a friend of my Australian girlfriend's family knew Brett Slater and highly recommended him.

The next day, a Friday, I phoned Brett early in morning and after explaining the urgency of my situation, I was given an appointment with Brett at noon the same day. By the end of our first consultation, I was already beginning to feel less stressed. Brett took a detailed history of my situation and was able to clearly explain the supporting law. He was also able to confidently advise me of the available options and even suggest the likelihood of success of each option. To Brett's credit, he never suggested an option that was unethical, or one that could have compromised my professional reputation. In support of Brett's dedication, on what already seemed like a busy day for him, he even made time to meet me a second time that Friday after 5pm. By the end of that conference, we agreed upon a plan that not only allowed me to stay within Australia while my application was considered but also one that agreed with my finances.

By Tuesday of the following week, Brett had already sent a detailed letter to the DIMIA, explaining my situation and addressing each of the relevant aspects of the law. By the following Monday, Brett had phoned the DIMIA to further understand the requirements of my unlawful bridging visa and to make personal contact with the representative handling my application. By Wednesday of that same week (exactly 12 days after I visited Brett for the first time), my temporary visa was granted! I cannot explain the relief I felt, as I was able to keep my job and even begin working on my original starting date of April 3, 2006.

Throughout this process, Brett never gave me false reassurances about how quickly he was able to help my situation turn around. He explained that it could have taken weeks to months. However, the fact that he was so comfortable with law and worked in such a timely manner helped me feel very confident about his ability. It also became clear, that there was some undefinable aspect of his service that I could never have achieved on my own. Having worked with the DIMIA so many times previously, he knew what they expected in that letter. He also knew how best to communicate with them and when. Lastly, having worked in the industry for so many years, the DIMIA probably knew to take his correspondence seriously and to act on it quickly. For this and everything above, I am very grateful for Brett Slater's time and hard work.

In summary, I highly recommend Brett Slater to help with your immigration problem. He was professional, dedicated, timely, friendly, ethical, thorough, reasonable, and affordable and the other solicitors in his office were also very friendly and supportive.

Refugee client from India

(The name of this client is not published, at the client's request)

"I heard that Brett Slater was a good lawyer. I had seen other senior immigration lawyers and they said my case had no hope. Brett agreed to take my case on. He put his team to work. Bit by bit they strengthened my case. When Brett was talking to the member at my Tribunal hearing, I could see the member nodding, at that moment, I thought I might win. A few weeks later, that is what happened.

For the rest of my life, I will always be very grateful for Brett Slater's hard work."

Sam Seada, Clerical Officer

"I would like to thank you and in particular Ms Suede for her impressive services as an immigration agent. Ms Suede helped me in a very hard time to have my permanent residence in Australia. She knew exactly what was needed for the case, and she was very organised. She simplified the process and explained it in an easy way to me. Ms Suede was not only acting as a lawyer, but she also gave morale support and good advices during the processing period and was indeed like a psychologist that helped me a lot during my hard times.

I would like to thank you once again and I would recommend your firm to anyone needs an assistance."

Faruk Deveci, Engineer

Before I came to Brett Slater's office, I had no confidence in receiving a permanent visa. I was prepared to go back to my own country.

He gave me some hopes after hearing my story. He did what he said he would. At the end, when he called me to tell me that my application was successful, I was very happy and I would like to say that I wouldn't go further if I didn't talk to him. Thanks Brett.

Stuart Dangerfield, Champion Cyclist

I was finding my migration application all too difficult and complicated. "I cannot do this on my own", I said. I need an agent; a friend of a friend highly recommended Brett Slater.

From our initial meeting it was all very positive, and I was kept well informed every step of the way, in fact my case was so well presented that I was confident of a successful outcome all the way through the process.

I certainly will recommend Brett Slater to anyone considering a migration application.

Sidney Martin Windschuttel, Retiree

My initial application for a spouse visa for my Fijian/Indian wife was rejected by the Fijian office of the Australia Department of Immigration. No agent was involved in this application and I decided to appeal the decision.

A friend of both my wife and myself in Fiji suggested I obtain the services of a lawyer who is a specialist in Immigration matters rather than just an Immigration Agent. I picked Brett Slater Solicitors from the yellow pages and rang the Law Society who gave me Brett Slater as one of the lawyers they would recommend. After speaking to Brett Slater, I decided to engage their firm.

I found Steven Sue, the solicitor assigned to my case contributed greatly in the Appeal process. Steven was always available to take my calls or my email queries and generally resolved any issues I had very quickly. At times Steven went above and beyond this call of duty in regard to my appeal.

His thoroughness in presentations to the Review Tribunal including in depth research where required into Immigration law matters contributed greatly to our winning the Appeal.

My wife and myself would like to personally thank Steven and Brett Slater for their significant efforts which has enabled my wife to join me in Australia.

Timothy Chow, Administration Assistant

I recommend Brett Slater Solicitors because they have simply provided an excellent service. Steven has done an excellent job of preparing the documents, gathering all the relevant information, and with his help, I can get the whole application process done in such a short period of time. This has shown how efficient are the people in the firm. I would personally like to thank Steven again for his highly professional service and the kindness he has given to me. It has been a real pleasure working with Brett Slater Solicitors.

Charles Terence Featherstone, Plumber

I recommend Brett Slater Solicitors because of their total professionalism, their genuine concern for the well being of their client, and their willingness to strive for the best outcome in the interest of their client.  I used their services to emigrate from the UK and because of the time difference most correspondence had to be by mail, but if important issues arose someone would stay late in the office so they could phone the UK at a reasonable hour for me..............that is customer service at its best!  Even months after my visa was approved and I was in Australia they helped me by answering questions and supplying copies of my documents at no extra cost.  I cannot than them enough for all their support during and after my move to Australia.  Good on you.  Brett Slater Solicitors!

 Paul O'Sullivan, Accountant

The service was really efficient.  Before coming to Brett Slater Solicitors I was unsure about my future prospects of securing a suitable visa in these times.  Having met with Brett himself I felt more confident about the way forward and obtaining the desired result of the skilled migration visa.

The firm kept me regularly informed and up-to-date on circumstances as there were continuous changes to the migration rules.

The result came through at a faster speed than I thought it would given statements made by Immigration at the time.

Now that I have my visa I feel more secure and confident going forward.

I am extremely grateful for all the help I received since meeting with Brett Slater Solicitors.