6 October 2023

Please note this statement includes the name of a deceased First Nations person. Her name is used with the permission of her family.

In February this year, I initiated a complaint and investigation into the conduct of lawyer Tass Antos, following findings by Coroner Simon McGregor in relation to the legal services Mr Antos provided to Veronica Nelson.

Veronica, 37, was a proud Gunditjmara, Dja Dja Wurrung, Wiradjuri and Yorta Yorta woman who passed away in the custody of the State of Victoria.

The Coroner made recommendations directed to the VLSB+C and referred Mr Antos to me for investigation.

Having conducted a thorough investigation and taken into account all of the evidence available to me, I have decided to close the complaint without taking disciplinary action against Mr Antos.  I will only take disciplinary action against a lawyer when I find that there is evidence to support a finding that the lawyer engaged in unsatisfactory professional conduct or professional misconduct.

I have written to Veronica’s family about my decision, and again offered my sincerest condolences and those of my staff to them. We are so sorry that they have lost Veronica.

Fiona McLeay
Victorian Legal Services Board CEO and Commissioner