Dejan Vangev

Expertise

Dejan Vangev is a Melbourne-based Senior Associate at Hicks Oakley Chessell Williams Lawyers, working in commercial litigation and insolvency for business and individual clients. He assists with contractual and business disputes, partnership disputes, property and leasing disputes, Australian consumer law issues, corporate and personal insolvency, and debt recovery.

Dejan has experience running matters in courts and tribunals across Australia, including in Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia, the Federal Court and the Federal Circuit Court. He is focused on providing commercially sensible, cost-effective strategies that help clients manage risk and achieve practical outcomes in disputes and insolvency situations.

About Dejan

Beyond his legal practice, Dejan enjoys spending time with family and friends, travelling, and fishing.

Qualifications

• Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice - The College of Law

• Master of Laws (Juris Doctor) - Monash University

Admissions

• Supreme Court of Victoria 2018

Memberships and Committees

• Law Institute of Victoria

Questions clients often ask

How would you explain what you do to someone outside the legal world?

I usually tell people: I am the lawyer you go to when things go wrong in business.

Commercial litigation is broad and covers scenarios from contract disputes and unpaid invoices to failed deals or partnership fallouts. I work with businesses in Melbourne and across Victoria in serious disputes, helping guide them through negotiation or, if necessary, the court process. My role is part strategist, part problem solver, and part risk manager.

On the insolvency side, I deal with situations where a company or individual cannot pay their debts. This involves helping directors understand their duties, advising creditors on recovery, or working alongside insolvency practitioners.

Overall, I help navigate conflict, protect commercial positions, and find a practical way forward.

What helps you maintain perspective in such a demanding commercial litigation and insolvency role?

I remind myself that while a dispute can feel all‑consuming for a client, my role is to stay objective. Stepping back, focusing on strategy rather than emotion, and breaking complex issues into manageable steps helps keep things in proportion. I focus on the bigger picture – what actually advances the client’s position.

Experience also plays a role. Over time, you develop a better sense of what truly matters in a case and what doesn’t, which helps navigate the client through the legal landscape.

What is one misconception people often have about commercial litigation?

That commercial litigation is all about fighting in court. In reality, much of what we do is problem solving and risk management. We spend a significant amount of time finding practical solutions that prevent matters from escalating, through negotiation, third‑party facilitated mediations, settlements, and carefully planned strategies.

While it can look combative from the outside, a large part of our work is actually dispute resolution. Good litigation isn’t about being the most aggressive voice in the room – it’s about judgment, preparation, and knowing when to push and when to resolve. 

How do you ensure your advice is clear and useful for business clients?

I focus on practicality. That means:

Using plain language so clients can quickly understand their options.
Highlighting the key risks and focusing on what matters most.
Providing structured guidance by outlining next steps and likely outcomes.

Was there an experience earlier in your career that shaped how you practise commercial litigation and insolvency law today?

I once heard a story from a well‑known mediator who resolved a long‑running property dispute by suggesting the parties flip a coin. It sounds unconventional, but it worked and avoided a costly court process. That story reinforced for me the value of creative thinking and the importance of steering matters toward resolution rather than long litigation wherever possible.

Resources

Dejan and Matthew have prepared a series of practical FAQs on commercial litigation and insolvency, which are available on our Commercial Litigation & Insolvency page. These FAQs explain common issues that arise in disputes and insolvency matters and outline the key steps involved in resolving them.