Our Team

As a founding partner of SG Lawyers, Chris Shopov brings his more than 30 years of experience to the firm.

Chris began practising in 1983 at Elston & Gilchrist, where he was quickly made partner before finding similar success at Mouldens.

Alongside sharing his many years of experience in a number of legal fields, including insurance, personal injury & industrial law, Chris primarily practises in worker’s compensation law. He specialises in acting for self-insured employers in complex matters in Adelaide and regional South Australia, regularly travelling to advise clients and run trials, particularly to Mount Gambier.

Chris is listed in Doyle's Guide as a Leading Workers' Compensation (Defendant) Lawyer and is a member of the Law Society of South Australia. Chris is result-oriented and brings the utmost degree of integrity, communication, and professionalism to ensure that clients see their best possible outcomes.

With more than 15 years of practice in the field of employment injury law and workers’ compensation across the country, Nick Giourgas brings a wealth of experience and top-class practice to his role as founding partner of SG Lawyers.

He initially received a Bachelor of Law from Adelaide University and, having completed College of Law, was thereafter admitted to the Supreme Court of New South Wales. Nick spent time practising in Victoria, where he gained invaluable experience acting on behalf of global and national insurers. Having returned home to South Australia, Nick made waves in a global firm before securing a role and proving his capabilities in a national firm to be made partner - a position he held for several years.

Nick advises and represents employers, self-insurers, specialist insurers and associated entities in the field of general insurance, employment injury law , worker’s compensation and public liability law. Nick’s expertise lies in litigation and insurance, advising on state statutory class claims.

Nick levies his substantial experience gained prior to co-founding SG Lawyers to represent his clients at the highest level and proudly carries the firm's values of collaboration, integrity, and professionalism to every case.

As a founding partner of SG Lawyers, Vas Giourgas brings a high degree of familiarity with workers’ compensation and return to work practice to the firm. Vas has a wealth of specialist expertise in complex litigation and personal injury matters.

He completed his studies for a Bachelor of Laws and Legal Practice at Flinders University and was admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of South Australia. Following Vas’ admission, he undertook legal practice within various legal firms in South Australia before becoming a founding partner of SG Lawyers alongside Chris Shopov and Nick Giourgas.

Vas specialises primarily in the field of workers’ compensation, general insurance and return to work practice, appearing within the South Australian Employment Tribunal, with extensive experience acting for self-insured employers and other insurance entities.

As a member of the Law Society of South Australia, Vas contributes to the strong vision of the firm with a dedication to assisting clients reach sound, desirable and efficient outcomes, whilst fostering strong relationships built on trust, integrity, and professionalism.

Daria is a specialist industrial lawyer who helps businesses navigate the complex and challenging areas of employment and safety laws. Her career spans over 18 years’ experience advising public and private organisations across a broad range of industries. Daria works closely with CEOs, managers and HR professionals to deliver practical, strategic legal solutions.

Daria's experience spans both state and federal jurisdictions, where she has successfully defended Fair Work claims, secured favourable outcomes in underpayment disputes and resolved discrimination matters without the need for trial. With a strong combination of on-site and courtroom experience, Daria is able to achieve efficient, commercially focused outcomes that minimise business disruption.

Daria regularly advises employers on proactive WHS compliance, including development of policies and procedures and delivery of tailored on-site training. More recently, this has expanded to include managing psychosocial hazards and complying with the positive duty to prevent unlawful conduct, such as sexual harassment. In matters involving WHS incidents or charges, Daria provides end-to-end support, attending sites, conducting investigations, liaising with SafeWork SA, and guiding clients through the full range of available defence strategies. She also assists with employment and contractor agreements, providing strategic advice on award compliance, confidentiality, and restraint of trade provisions to protect business interest.

Anita brings a wealth of experience as Special Counsel to Shopov Giourgas Lawyers with nearly 15 years of experience predominantly in the Workers Compensation jurisdiction. She has advised and acted for Government departments, Return to Work Corporation and Self Insured employers and together with her previous experience as a claims consultant she is able to quickly identify legal issues and advocate on claims agent and employers behalf.

Anita has completed a Bachelor of Science (Biomedical Science) at Adelaide University in 2003. Following her degree, she obtained employment as a case manager for CGU insurance, Department for Correctional Services and Challenge Recruitment and co-currently studied Law at the University New England. Soon after her admission in 2009 she practiced Law in various firms including the Crown Solicitors Office and national law firms.

Anita has acted as instructing solicitor on significant matters for the Return to Work SA scheme which were heard by the Court of Appeal of the Supreme Court of SA. Anita provides high quality legal advice and representation to her clients in the South Australian Employment Tribunal and thrives in achieving the best possible outcomes for her clients.

As Special Counsel with Shopov Giougas Lawyers, Tyne brings more than 15 years’ experience as an insurance litigator, with a strong focus on workers’ compensation and dispute resolution. Tyne commenced her legal career representing plaintiffs and injured workers, before spending the past 12 years representing the Return to Work Corporation. This breadth of experience has given Tyne valuable firsthand insight into all aspects of claims and dispute management, which enables her to approach matters with a well‑rounded, strategic perspective informed by both sides of litigation.

Tyne has extensive expertise in the management of workers’ compensation claims, premium review matters, and complex disputes, and regularly appears in the South Australian Employment Tribunal. Tyne advises clients across all stages of claims management, from early dispute resolution and conciliation through to complex, high‑level litigation.

Tyne is committed to achieving effective and timely outcomes for her clients. She is highly regarded for delivering clear, strategic advice and representation that is both cost‑effective and commercially focused.

As a consultant with SG Lawyers, Chris Sargent brings with him a broad range of legal and public service experience that he uses to offer incredibly rounded representation within the firm.

After graduating from the Adelaide University Law School in 1977, Chris pursued a career in the State Public Service, undertaking various statutory positions, including that of Deputy Registrar of the District Court and a Review Officer on the Workers Compensation Review Panel. Later, he was admitted to the Supreme Court as a solicitor with Elston Gilchrist Lawyers. In his career, Chris has succeeded as a partner with both Donalson Walsh Lawyers and Thomson Playford Lawyers, and, after a short period at the Crown Law Office as a Senior Legal Practitioner, he worked with Sparke Helmore Lawyers for 16 years as a consultant.

Chris now consults in SG Lawyers for employers and self-insurers as a solicitor and counsel before the various Tribunals vested with the workers' compensation jurisdiction, conducts various training sessions for his clients, and has attained a Certificate IV in Workplace Training to complement his extensive legal knowledge.

Chris is regularly named in Doyles Guide to the Best Lawyers in South Australia.

As a Senior Associate with SG Lawyers, Bethany Jackson brings more than 12 years of experience across legal practice and claims management.

Bethany's career spans both sides of insurance. Before moving into legal practice, she worked as a CTP Claims Officer, managing major and catastrophic claims within a highly regulated environment. That grounding in insurer systems, reserving practices and early intervention principles continues to shape the practical, commercially aware advice she offers clients today.

Bethany specialises in workers compensation, holding senior level expertise that is rare in the Territory. She acts in catastrophic injury claims, serious injury matters, complex liability disputes and high value recoveries, advising on liability assessment, Notices of Decision, NT WorkSafe processes and rehabilitation pathways.

Bethany is known for her clear communication, disciplined file management and early identification of the issues that matter. She brings integrity, collaboration and professionalism to every matter she runs.

Matthew Mai brings a fresh perspective to the team at SG Lawyers as a promising practitioner of workers' compensation and employment law.

Matthew graduated from the University of Adelaide in 2021 with a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce, majoring in international business. Soon after graduating, he was admitted to the Supreme Court and registered as a Practitioner of the High Court. Matthew began his career at a national firm, gaining invaluable experience and expanding his knowledge of worker’s compensation and industrial law before moving to SG Lawyers in 2023 to work with Nick Giourgas.

Matthew works with the team at SG Lawyers to represent clients in the field of employment injury law, general insurance and workers' compensation, bringing his fresh, charged perspective to cases, and providing innovative insights where they’re most effective.

As a valued member of SG Lawyers, Matthew proudly exhibits the team's dedication to providing top-class advice and professional representation, while raising the benchmark for legal services in the industry.

Rachel Davenport brings a multi disciplinary legal background to the firm's Northern Territory workers compensation practice.

Rachel has practised across a diverse range of areas, including commercial, employment, property transactions, insurance litigation and regulatory compliance. She has supervised debt recovery practices and managed litigation across various courts and tribunals, including NTCAT and the Local Court, acting for both plaintiff and defendant clients. That breadth gives her a wide lens on the commercial and employment context surrounding a workers compensation claim.

Rachel practises in workers compensation and insurance litigation, assisting with liability determination and Notices of Decision, disputes, and supporting recovery and indemnity matters. She works closely with NT WorkSafe, employers, medical providers and rehabilitation specialists to support early decision making and practical return to work outcomes.

Rachel is a member of the Law Society NT, the NT Women Lawyers Association and Young Insurance Professionals, and mentors through the Charles Darwin University Mentoring Program. She has delivered seminars and internal training across several practice areas.

Lindsey Moldenhauer brings more than 19 years of specialised experience in workers compensation, occupational health and safety, injury management and complex case resolution.

Lindsey's career has taken her across every side of the compensation landscape. She spent years with long standing private insurers in Darwin managing underwritten Northern Territory workers compensation claims, before moving into senior compensation roles within Commonwealth agencies and high complexity injury management positions in the Victorian public health sector. She was later admitted as a lawyer, instructing in workers compensation matters through to full hearing before the Work Health Court.

Lindsey practises in workers compensation in the Territory, advising on liability, entitlements, rehabilitation pathways and return to work strategies. She is also experienced in complex investigations, statutory compliance, regulatory reporting and administrative review.

Having worked within insurer, employer and legal environments, Lindsey offers clients a rare multi angle perspective on the Territory scheme, building trusted relationships with employers, medical providers and rehabilitation specialists with clear communication, sound judgement and the utmost professionalism to every matter.

Caitlin Foote practises in workers compensation and civil litigation across the Northern Territory, appearing before the Local Court, Work Health Court and Supreme Court.

Before entering private practice, Caitlin worked as an Associate at the former Administrative Appeals Tribunal, now the Administrative Review Tribunal, where she managed complex cases across the National Disability Insurance Scheme, Commonwealth compensation, migration, military compensation and veterans' entitlements divisions. That grounding in administrative law and Commonwealth compensation frameworks continues to inform her practice today.

Caitlin manages workers compensation claims on behalf of private insurers, representing clients at NT WorkSafe mediations, settlement conferences and Work Health Court hearings. She also undertakes detailed research into emerging questions under the Return to Work Act 1986 (NT), giving insurers early insight into areas of law not yet tested before Territory courts.

Caitlin is known for her precision, clear communication and strategic foresight. She brings collaboration, integrity and professionalism to every matter, with a consistent focus on early resolution and practical outcomes for clients.

Khevalin Parekh is an emerging practitioner in workers compensation, insurance and civil litigation.

Khevalin began her career in civil litigation, acting for blue chip financial institutions. Her experience spans institutional abuse claims, police misconduct, motor vehicle accidents, defamation, commercial disputes and debt recovery, working across South Australia, the Northern Territory and Tasmania. She has appeared independently in the Supreme Court of South Australia and has conducted settlement conferences, negotiations and pre action meetings.

Khevalin practises in workers compensation and insurance litigation, assisting with liability assessment, drafting Notices of Decision and submissions, preparing medical and expert evidence, and supporting recovery and indemnity disputes.

Khevalin has been recognised among South Australia's top emerging legal professionals, named in The Advertiser's Top 22 Graduate Solicitors in 2024 and a finalist in the 7NEWS Young Achiever Awards for Achievement in Law. She has a forthcoming publication in the UNSW Law Journal on artificial intelligence and professional negligence, and contributes to the profession through mentoring, judging competitions and volunteering.

Graduating from the University of Adelaide in 2023 with a Bachelor of Laws and admitted to practice in 2024, Nicholas commenced his career in the in-house legal team of a top performing superannuation fund. There, he assisted with regulatory compliance and complex litigation, including defending Total and Permanent Disability (TPD) claims, experience that sharpened his analytical skills and understanding of medical, financial and evidentiary issues.

Nicholas joined SG Lawyers to focus on workers compensation and employment injury law, working closely with senior practitioners to support liability assessment, evidence preparation and dispute resolution.

He is known for building strong relationships with clients, earning trust quickly, and bringing professionalism and enthusiasm to every matter. He has a particular interest in psychiatric injury claims, contributing strong research capability to support early issue identification, consistent reserving and efficient claim progression.