APAC Legal Awards 2026 Immigration Law Firm of the Year 2026 Migration has always been part of the human story. Though it is often viewed through a political lens, humans have been on the move for the vast majority of our collective history. One Planet Migration Law is a Sydney-based specialist immigration law firm honouring migration’s power to enrich lives and strengthen communities, whilst making the process effortless for the people and businesses it serves. We spoke with Founder and Principal Lawyer Tina Nematian below, as One Planet Migration Law is named in the APAC Legal Awards 2026.
Legal Awards 2026 APAC Insider is thrilled to announce the APAC Legal Awards 2026, returning for its eleventh year and ready to celebrate the remarkable legal talent shaping the future of the Asia Pacific region. This long-standing programme has become one of the most anticipated events in the APAC calendar, spotlighting the lawyers, legal teams, firms, and innovators who keep the region’s legal landscape evolving, resilient, and full of dynamism. This year promises even more excitement, even more recognition, and an even stronger focus on the exceptional achievements that define legal excellence in APAC. From trailblazing technology adopters to standout dispute resolution teams and in house departments pushing the boundaries of best practice, the awards offer a stage to celebrate those setting new benchmarks across the legal world. Sofi Parry, Senior Editor Website: www.apac-insider.com AI Global Media, Ltd. (AI) takes reasonable measures to ensure the quality of the information on this web site. However, AI will not assume any legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy, correctness or completeness of any information that is available through this web site. If errors are brought to our attention, we will try to correct them. The information available through the website and our partner publications is for your general information and use and is not intended to address any particular finance or investment requirements. In particular, the information does not constitute any form of advice or recommendation by us or any of our partner publications and is not intended to be relied upon by users in making or refraining from making any investment or financial decisions. Appropriate independent advice should be obtained before making any such decision. Any arrangement made between you and any third party named in the site is at your sole risk and responsibility.
5. One Planet Migration Law: Immigration Law Firm of the Year 2026 6. Law Partners: Best Specialist Personal Injury Law Firm 2026 – Sydney & Claims Success Innovation Award 2026 7. CRW Law: Best Emerging Family & Estate Planning Law Firm 2026 – NSW 8. Hizola Law Firm: Best Emerging Maritime & Tax Law Firm 2026 – Philippines 9. LodgeX: Best Digital Property Settlement Agent 2026 – Australia 10. Garen Consulting: Best Skills Assessment & Migration Consultancy 2026 – Oceania 11. Roam Migration Law: Most Trusted Corporate Immigration Law Firm 2026 – Melbourne 12. Roam Migration Law: Immigration Law Leader of the Year 2026 (Australia): Jackson Taylor 13. Tang & Ku: Best Criminal & Regulatory Defence Specialists 2026 – Hong Kong Contents
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APAC Insider- Legal Awards 2026 | 5 Jun26045 Migration has always been part of the human story. Though it is often viewed through a political lens, humans have been on the move for the vast majority of our collective history. One Planet Migration Law is a Sydney-based specialist immigration law firm honouring migration’s power to enrich lives and strengthen communities, whilst making the process effortless for the people and businesses it serves. We spoke with Founder and Principal Lawyer Tina Nematian below, as One Planet Migration Law is named in the APAC Legal Awards 2026. “Connecting humanity, one visa at a time.” After almost 15 years practicing exclusively in immigration law, Tina Nematian established One Planet Migration Law in 2023 with a clear purpose: to build a firm that delivers excellent legal work but also reflects the human reality behind every visa application. As the child of refugees, Tina grew up with the understanding that migration law is not just policy or paperwork, but safety, family, identity, opportunity, and dignity. “I have always loved learning about different cultures and different ways of thinking,” she told us. “As a Bahá’í, I have always valued the diversity of humanity and fundamentally believe in the oneness of humanity. That belief has shaped the way I see migration: not as something separate from society, but part of the human story. Our work is legal and technical, but it is also about helping people move through some of the most important moments of their lives with dignity and clarity.” Today, One Planet Migration Law assists individuals, families, employers, and organisations across a broad range of visa and migration matters. A core aspect of this work is corporate immigration; the firm works with businesses in industries such as construction, healthcare, hospitality, technology, and professional services, particularly where employers need skilled workers and require strategic advice on sponsorship obligations, workforce planning, and compliance. At the same time, One Planet Migration Law also works with individuals and families navigating deeply personal migration pathways. Many of these clients are experiencing major life transitions that often overlap with family separation, trauma, financial stress, health issues, domestic violence, exploitation, or uncertainty about the future. For these clients, the firm focuses on helping them feel safe, informed, and supported through a process that can be lifechanging. “The most rewarding part of working in immigration law is knowing that the work can change the course of someone’s life,” Tina shared. “Few moments compare to calling a client, whether a vulnerable client, a family separated for far too long, or an Australian business relying on critical workers, and saying the words they have been waiting to hear: ‘You got the visa.’ It may mean a family can stay together, a business can keep a critical worker, someone can travel to see a loved one, or a vulnerable person can finally feel safer.” This passion for helping people has driven One Planet Migration Law to grow and innovate without ever losing sight of its purpose. The private law firm receives no external funding yet continues to take on significant pro bono and low bono work. In the past year, this has amounted to approximately 10% of its annual revenue. This is a significant point of pride for the team, as it demonstrates that a profitable firm can still make access to justice a core component of its business model. The next stage for One Planet Law will be focused on expansion without compromising the culture, quality, and purpose that defines its work. Access to justice will remain central to this journey; The firm’s involvement in the Federal Court of Australia’s Pro Bono Referral Scheme, together with its collaboration with community organisations, not-for-profits and Community Legal Centres, is central to its pro bono and low bono commitment and reflects its broader mission, and the team intends to continue taking on pro bono and low bono matters in a sustainable way. Continued investment in technology and strong systems will support this, with increased efficiency providing more capacity to help clients who may otherwise be unable to access aid. Furthermore, One Planet Migration Law is exploring thought leadership opportunities, including more public education, speaking engagements, and content that helps explain immigration law in a way people can actually understand. Tina aims to use the firm’s platform to change how people talk about migration: not as something to fear, but as something that has always been part of the human story and a source of strength in diverse societies. “I am proud that our work allows us to contribute to a better conversation around migration. It has always shaped societies, families,economies,andcultures,” she concluded. “Ultimately, I want One Planet Migration Law to keep growing as a profitable, specialist immigration law firm that makes a meaningful contribution to clients, to the profession, and to the broader conversation about migration.” Contact: Tina Nematian Company: One Planet Migration Law Web Address: oneplanetmigrationlaw.com.au Immigration Law Firm of the Year 2026
APAC Insider- Legal Awards 2026 | 6 Since opening its doors in 2004, Law Partners has continued to contribute to Australia’s specialist personal injury law offerings with incredibly profound expertise and professionalism. We heard more directly from Partner Shane Butcher below as the company was recently bestowed with two accolades in our APAC Legal Awards 2026. From the outset, our mission has been clear: to raise the bar in personal injury law by ensuring every Australian who suffers injury or illness receives the full support and compensation they’re entitled to. Our expertise spans a range of personal injury areas, including workers compensation, motor vehicle accidents, total and permanent disability (TPD), medical negligence, public liability, and institutional abuse. We make legal help accessible through free advice via phone or live chat, and our website serves as a comprehensive hub of resources, from videos and articles to step-bystep guides and real client stories which are designed to empower and inform our clients and the community. This holistic approach has earned us the trust of thousands of Australians navigating the complexities of personal injury claims, and it continues to drive our growth and impact. Our clients can consist of anyone in our community that becomes injured or falls ill and has entitlements to make a claim while seeking expert legal advice and representation from a leading team of personal injury specialists. Our unique approach to client service helps us stand apart in the industry. It’s an approach grounded in empathy, relentlessness in the pursuit of positive outcomes, detailed client-care processes and training, fees transparency, and clear communication. Ultimately, we believe that legal support should be as compassionate as it is competent, and this philosophy continues to guide every interaction we have with our clients. The Law Partners team goes far beyond merely processing claims. With offices in New South Wales, the ACT and Victoria, our client services team pairs our clients with lawyers who specialise in their claim type, fostering personal relationships with clients and their families. We meticulously assess all aspects of a client’s injuries to ensure they receive the full compensation they’re entitled to, including any lump sums they may not have been aware of. This comprehensive approach significantly enhances the compensation our clients receive. Our entire team – across legal and support services staff – is driven by the genuine sense of purpose in helping our clients achieve legal and financial support during what are often some of the most difficult times in their lives following injury, illness or trauma. As to myself, with almost 20 years’ experience in personal injury law on my side, I’ve had the privilege of helping thousands of injured people and their families claim all the compensation they’re entitled to. As a Partner of the firm, it’s my duty to ensure Law Partners continues to uphold our cornerstone value of empathy and deliver the best level of client care possible in order to achieve our primary objective – to positively impact the lives of injured Australians. Our tagline, “More personal, more compensation,” points to our way of operating and reflects our commitment to understanding the true impact of our clients’ injuries or illnesses. We invest more time in building personal relationships with our clients and their families, asking more questions to uncover all aspects of their situation, finding out exactly how and why their lives have changed following injury or illness. This deeper understanding allows us to identify additional compensation opportunities that might otherwise be overlooked. Our empathetic approach not only sets us apart but also ensures our clients receive the maximum compensation they’re entitled to. Our industry achievements and firm-wide recognition also set up apart. Law Partners is more than just Australia’s largest specialist personal injury firm. We’re a team of dedicated professionals who believe in personal service, asking more questions, and building deeper relationships to understand the true impact of injuries and illness. Our client-focused approach, combined with our legal expertise, has resulted in a case success rate of over 99%, more than 1,550 5-star Google reviews, and consistent year-on-year Doyle’s Guide industry awards and recognition. Our future growth plans will forever be embedded in the process of listening. We listen to our clients, providing exactly what they need and what they want, and that’s what we’re going to continue to do. We know the service we provide resonates really well with people, so our plans are to keep doing what we’re doing, find ways to do it even better or more efficiently, and do all of this without losing the principles of trust, empathy, fairness and human connection which have got us where we are today. Contact: Shane Butcher, Partner Company: Law Partners Website: lawpartners.com.au Best Specialist Personal Injury Law Firm 2026 – Sydney & Claims Success Innovation Award 2026 May26008
APAC Insider- Legal Awards 2026 | 7 Legal solutions should obviously be grounded in knowledge and the drive for results, but it is just as important that they are delivered around the needs and goals of the client. This is something that Cynthia-Rose Wiencke, the principal lawyer at CRW Law, has built her name around, with her emerging law firm already renowned for the compassion, reliability, and professional approach it brings to a wide range of legal areas. We spoke with Cynthia-Rose for more on her personalised legal support. Admitted in New South Wales in 2010, CynthiaRose Wiencke found her feet in the legal industry by focusing on what really matters within this landscape – people. Building her experience across the areas of family law, property, and estate planning, all of which require a sensitive and considered approach at times, Cynthia-Rose quickly came to recognise that many clients who came to her seeking legal advice were in the process of major life changes, and this made legal processes even scarier and more challenging to navigate than they would usually be. The understanding this brought has shaped a practice where communication, empathy, and practical outcomes are favoured above all, with clients often reporting that they feel informed, supported, and confident at every stage of their legal journey with Cynthia-Rose and CRW Law. This is true irrespective of which area of practice they are involved with, from family law and estate planning to commercial law and conveyancing. Similarly, every area of the practice sees Cynthia-Rose employ the same three-step approach, designed to simplify the legal process and make sure that her clients feel in control as their journey progresses. Beginning with a consultation where all of a client’s legal needs are discussed, their concerns listened to, essential details gathered, and an overview of their options given, the firm will then develop a tailored strategy based on all of the information they have gathered. This includes handling all the necessary documents. The third and final step is taking action, which can take several forms. Be it negotiation, mediation, or representation in court, CRW Law will fight to achieve the best possible outcome for every client and their case. It backs up this method with a proven track record of successful outcomes, a sentiment echoed by the clients who have received exceptional service and compassionate legal solutions from Cynthia-Rose and the firm. One client, Sarah, stated: “Cynthia-Rose helped us navigate a complicated divorce and child custody battle with such professionalism and care. Her support was invaluable throughout the entire process, and we couldn’t be more grateful for their guidance. Highly recommend!” Mark, a client from Northern Beaches in New South Wales, added: “As a first-time homebuyer, I was unsure about the legal process. CRW Law made everything so easy to understand and handled all the details of my property purchase efficiently.” This glowing feedback is an example of how Cynthia-Rose is achieving the firm’s vision of being a trusted legal partner for clients, delivering compassionate, effective solutions that empower clients to navigate their legal challenges with confidence. It does this by realising its mission, which is to deliver high-quality, client-focused legal solutions that empower individuals and businesses to achieve their goals, through every client and every case – whether it is navigating a divorce, making property decisions, or planning an estate. Looking ahead, Cynthia-Rose aims to strike the balance between upholding these guiding principles and strengthening the foundations of the firm. Then, the plan is to grow the practice, with a particular focus on expanding accessibility to legal services and enhancing the commercial and estate planning areas of the business, both of which are experiencing increased demand. Finally, in the long term, Cynthia hopes to position CRW Law as the trusted, go-to firm in NSW for both legal expertise and approachability. In closing, Cynthia-Rose told us: “There are some exciting opportunities ahead, particularly in expanding services and embracing new ways of working, and I’m looking forward to continuing to develop the firm in a way that remains true to its core values.” We wish her the best of luck with these efforts, and are delighted to recognise the success of her practice in its infancy by naming CRW Law the Best Emerging Family & Estate Planning Law Firm 2026 – NSW as part of our APAC Legal Awards 2026. Contact: Cynthia-Rose Wiencke Company: CRW Law Web Address: https://crwlaw.com.au/ Best Emerging Family & Estate Planning Law Firm 2026 – NSW AIS-May26252
APAC Insider- Legal Awards 2026 | 8 Emerging law firm Hizola Law is on a mission to introduce new energy, ingenuity, and innovation to the sector. The firm is well-positioned to become a major player in the post-pandemic world of law, bringing unique perspectives and values to cases with no intentions to imitate the practices of its predecessors. We spoke with Atty. Jomar Hizola below, Founder and Managing Director of Hizola Law, as the firm features in the APAC Legal Awards 2026. “Outthinking. Outdoing.” Based in Pasig, Metro Manila, Hizola Law is a partnership law firm that was founded in August 2022. Its establishment was spearheaded by Atty. Jomar Hizola, a corporate and litigation lawyer who formed the firm months after passing the 2022 bar examinations with exemplary honours. Atty. Hizola was joined by founding partners who possess more than two decades of combined experience in the fields of litigation, accounting, auditing, taxation, business process outsourcing, finance, cybersecurity, data privacy, information technology, and consumer services. Together, they utilise their unique competencies and expertise to provide bespoke solutions to a growing client base. A defining aspect of Hizola Law is the firm’s specialisation in maritime law. A significant percentage of its clientele hail from the maritime industry and require legal assistance in all matters related to their maritime business operations. This includes manning agencies, ship management companies, maritime training institutes, and other allied service companies. “We initially started with one maritime client,” Jomar recalled. “The client was pleased with our way of doing work and so they gave us all their other legal problems, including those of their affiliate companies. Eventually, we were recommended to other companies by mere word of mouth.” Soon after, Hizola Law began to diversify into other industries such as finance, construction, entertainment, retail, real estate, and food and beverage. Its services primarily focus on corporate housekeeping and compliance, tax advocacy, mergers and acquisitions, labour and employment, complex commercial agreements, foreign investments, immigration, insurance, special projects, and civil, criminal, and administrative litigation. In a competitive market, Hizola Law stands out for offering fresh and innovative approaches to resolving client problems. The firm is composed of seven young, energetic, and innovative lawyers who bring fresh eyes and unique perspectives to their work. Driven by the core values of assurance, brilliance, clarity, and diligence – the ABCDs of this field – the team ensures that it remains knowledgeable of all relevant laws, and also of the industries and businesses of Hizola Law’s clients. Client service is a core component of Hizola Law’s operations. Widely acclaimed to be a responsive, easily approachable partner to those navigating legal complexities, the firm has built a number of longstanding relationships with clients across industries. Every member of the team at Hizola Law aspires to deliver the highest level of legal services to these clients, demonstrating an unwavering commitment to their cause without abandoning their own ethical principles. Now entering its fourth year of service, Hizola Law is seeking to pursue continued growth, both of its clientele and its operations. The firm began just four years ago with only two lawyers and has since expanded to seven. Now, the team aspires to reach 15 lawyers by the end of 2026, and double that number through 2027. Throughout these ambitious endeavours, the entire team at Hizola Law will continue to deliver toptier legal services that place the client at the heart of its operations. As Hizola Law is named the Philippines’ Best Emerging Maritime and Tax Law Firm 2026, Jomar reflected, “Our team growth directly reflects the growth of our clientele, and the challenge now is to ensure consistency in delivering the excellent legal services that our clients have grown accustomed to.” He continued, “We have helped clients save over a billion pesos worth of tax audits in less than four years. We have helped several foreign clients set up their businesses in the Philippines in record time, which helped the company generate more work opportunities for other countrymen. We have been able to bring to the less fortunate the same quality of premium servicing, and for that we have been most proud.” Contact: Jomar Hizola Company: Hizola Law Firm Web Address: www.hizolalaw.com Best Emerging Maritime & Tax Law Firm 2026 – Philippines AIS-May26069
APAC Insider- Legal Awards 2026 | 9 May26016 Australian company LodgeX was founded upon an identified gap in the e-settlement market for a quick, user-friendly e-conveyancing settlement and lodgement solution for property professionals. The company specialises in digital property settlements and conveyancing support services, successfully combining technology with legal practice to reshape the future of settlements for the better. We spoke with Senior Associate Jamie Jackson for more, as LodgeX is named in the APAC Legal Awards 2026. Established with the vision of modernising the property transaction experience, LodgeX was created to bridge the gap between traditional legal processes and the growing demand for secure, efficient, and technology-driven solutions within the property industry. Since entering the market, the company has focused on streamlining complex settlement and lodgement processes through innovative digital systems, automation, and clientcentric service delivery. LodgeX works extensively with law firms, conveyancing practices, developers, and financial service providers who require reliable, scalable, and efficient settlement solutions that integrate with modern digital platforms. Its core services include digital property settlement coordination, electronic lodgement support, conveyancing assistance, compliance and workflow management, and tailored support solutions for legal and property professionals. In a competitive market, LodgeX stands out for its bespoke digital platform. Lapp has been specifically developed to streamline operational workflows, improve accuracy, and enhance the overall settlement experience for its clients. Lapp allows LodgeX and its clients to manage transactions with greater visibility, consistency, and efficiency while maintaining the high compliance and security standards required within the legal and financial sectors. What is perhaps most distinctive about LodgeX, however, is the company’s commitment to combining technology with personalised service. Whilst it leverages digital systems to improve speed and accuracy, its team also ensures that every client receives hands-on support from experienced professionals who understand the complexities of property transactions. This has been instrumental in building long-term relationships with myriad clients, ranging from customer-owned banks, neobanks, and boutique legal firms to larger national firms and operators. The LodgeX team recognises that timing, responsiveness, and accuracy are critical in the property and lending sectors. From the outset, its team works closely with clients to gain a detailed understanding of their workflows, compliance obligations, turnaround expectations, and growth objectives. This enables LodgeX to design service models that integrate seamlessly into its clients’ operations whilst improving efficiency, consistency, and overall client outcomes. “Our mortgage processing services are a strong example of this tailored approach in practice,” Jamie told us. “In supporting eight lenders across Australia, LodgeX has developed customised workflows and operational frameworks designed around each lender’s internal processes, risk requirements, and customer services objectives. We have been able to streamline communication pathways, reduce processing bottlenecks, improve settlement coordination, and accelerate settlement timeframes without compromising compliance or quality.” Looking to the future, LodgeX is focused on scaling its operations, enhancing its technology capabilities, and further strengthening its position as a leading digital property settlement and mortgage processing provider in Australia. As electronic conveyancing adoption continues to expand across the country, the newly emerging PEXA jurisdictions present significant opportunities for growth and further industry collaboration. One of the most exciting developments for the business is the upcoming rollout of Lapp V3, the next evolution of its bespoke digital platform. This new version will migrate its infrastructure fully to the cloud, providing significantly greater scalability, flexibility, and operational capability as the company continues to grow nationally. The move to a cloudbased environment will enable LodgeX to support increasing transaction volumes more efficiently while further enhancing system performance, security, and reliability for clients. Lapp V3 will also introduce a range of new efficiencies, workflow enhancements, and automation capabilities designed to streamline operations even further across settlements, mortgage processing, and client communication. While the team is heavily focused on innovation and automation, its priority remains ensuring that these advancements never come at the expense of service quality, accuracy, compliance, or the personal support its clients value. Beyond this year, LodgeX sees significant opportunity in the continued transformation of the legal, property, and financial services sectors. As compliance obligations increase, transaction processes become more digitised, and clients demand faster and more integrated services, the team believes businesses that successfully combine technology, operational expertise, and client-focused service delivery will be best positioned for long-term success. “For LodgeX, the future is centred on continued innovation, strategic growth, and helping shape a more efficient and connected property settlement ecosystem across Australia,” concluded Jamie. “We are excited about the opportunities ahead and remain committed to delivering smarter, more scalable, and highly reliable solutions for our clients and industry partners.” Contact: Jamie Jackson Company: LodgeX Web Address: www.lodgex.com.au Best Digital Property Settlement Agent 2026 – Australia
APAC Insider- Legal Awards 2026 | 10 Helping clients navigate Australia’s skills assessments for the purposes of migration, Garen Consulting covers the Australian Skilled Migration Program, as well as New Zealand resident visas via investment, skilled migration category, or other pathways. It is also a leading expert in two of Australia’s premier skills assessments: VETASSESS and Trades Recognition Australia (TRA). Garen Yucheng Su, the firm’s namesake, caught up with us for more on the back of this award. The dominant authority for VETASSESS and TRA skills assessment in the industry right now, Garen Yucheng Su leverages his professional background as a former assessor and immigration officer and his education in these areas (he is a master of international relations and has a diploma in migration law and practice) to act as a trusted advisor supporting the entire application process. This all begins with an hour consultation, which allows his agency to understand client’s situation and ensure their application is a success. Once the first hour is up, their agent will either offer the client a quote or explain what their journey may entail. If they wish to go ahead, the official service agreement is then signed, marking the beginning of a relationship that is almost certain to culminate in a person reaching their dream destination of Australia or New Zealand. The track record Garen and his small team have with this has resulted in numerous referrals, as well as acclaim from other legal professionals in this space, many of whom seek out these services. In fact, half of Garen’s client base is made up of these legal professionals (as opposed to private clients) who call on Garen Consulting to review and appeal their unsuccessful outcomes. The level of confidence this instils in Garen and the employees who advocate for this service, not to mention the clients who rely on it to secure their futures, is one of the standout elements of the firm. What makes this even more impressive is the speed that Garen can deliver these services at, with his response time always being within two days. As Garen told us: “I don’t speculate, I always have an answer.” This is something that can again be attributed to his background in this space, stemming from former roles including being an Australia VETASSES senior assessment officer, a NZ government immigration officer, an international compliance officer at the University of Queensland, and a NZ government representative in Japan. What this gives him is a unique understanding of how officers assess cases, including what they look for and how they think. Backing up Garen’s claims are hard-and-fast results, with more than 500 clients being supported in achieving their desired outcome in the last 12 months. This includes supporting over 30 cases with previously negative outcomes and getting them overturned through the authorities, as well as taking more than 50 cases where the client previously consulted with another agent or lawyer but was told their case was not possible – only for Garen to come in and make it happen. All through legit channels and without falsifying information. It is thanks to Garen’s expertise and the outcomes he gets for clients that he today works with between 400 and 500 clients every year from around the world, with around 70% coming from China and others from nations including the US, UK, France, Ireland, and Italy. Even as migration policies in both Australia and New Zealand continue to shift, Garen remains as confident as ever in his ability to serve all of these clients, as well as developing Garen Consulting so that it continues to improve what it already does so well. For example, Garen currently manages most of the marketing for Garen Consulting, but only has the time to post on social media (usually the odd case study) every few months. He hopes to double down on these efforts, sharing the successes of his clients and seeing that more people can Best Skills Assessment & Migration Consultancy 2026 – Oceania fulfil their ambitions through his services, which really do change lives. On the back of this, we are delighted to recognise Garen Consulting as the Best Skills Assessment & Migration Consultancy 2026 – Oceania in this programme, a welldeserved honour that we hope will drive more people to these services. For those who are interested in knowing more, details on how to get in touch with Garen and co. can be found below. Contact: Garen Yucheng Su Company: Garen Consulting Web Address: https:// garenconsulting.b12sites. com/
APAC Insider- Legal Awards 2026 | 11 Roam Migration Law is a corporate immigration law firm built around one purpose: moving people across borders with certainty, speed, and compliance. For Roam, visa work is never a box-ticking exercise. The firm understands that getting the right people into the right roles directly shapes an organisation’s ability to grow. As a named honoree at the APAC Legal Awards 2026, Roam invited us to take a closer look at the operation behind that recognition. In the fragmented landscape of corporate immigration law, Roam Migration Law found its footing by identifying a true gap in the market. Many businesses were navigating immigration reactively, scrambling to process visas case-by-case without any underlying framework, and paying significant costs in time, risk, and missed opportunity. Roam was established in 2016 to face these challenges head-on, partnering with employers to design scalable, proactive mobility programmes. Today, Roam’s services span the full spectrum of employer immigration. Its core practice areas include employersponsored visas, sponsorship management, compliance and risk management, activity and specialist visas for short-term deployments, and immigration advisory and government relations. The firm also offers immigration due diligence services, making it well-positioned to support mergers, acquisitions, and corporate restructures where workforce compliance is at stake. In a market where many immigration firms offer broadly similar services, Roam has made deliberate choices about how it delivers a genuinely unique service. Most immigration firms are transactional by nature: processing applications, closing files, and moving on. Roam has been built around a different model, treating immigration as a strategic business function instead of an administrative task. This approach means embedding itself in clients’ workforce planning, designing scalable sponsorship frameworks, and giving HR, legal, and global mobility teams the tools and confidence to make better decisions. Roam works with a broad and diverse client base, ranging from high-growth startups through to large multinationals and Fortune 500 companies. These clients span industries including IT, finance and professional services, defence and engineering, construction and resources, healthcare, aged care, medtech and pharma, education, hospitality, and agriculture. “Every matter we work on involves a person who has made a significant decision: to move country, to build a career somewhere new, to bring their family along on that journey. The businesses we serve are depending on us to get it right, but so are the individuals behind every application.” The Roam team approaches clients with the core belief that they deserve immigration advice that is clear, proactive, and directly aligned with their business goals. This begins with understanding the client’s world before offering solutions. The firm invests extensive time upfront in getting to know an organisation’s workforce strategy, growth trajectory, industry pressures, and risk tolerance. With this understanding, advice is never generic but instead calibrated towards what the business actually needs. Roam actively monitors policy changes, legislative updates, and compliance obligations on behalf of its clients, alerting them to any developments that may impact their workforce before challenges arise. What’s more, it operates on a fixed-fee model, ensuring that clients always know what they are paying before the work begins. With no missed policy shifts or surprise invoices, clients remain informed, up-to-date, and entirely confident in their trusted immigration law partner. Throughout Roam’s endeavours runs an unwavering commitment to communication. It aims to cut through the complexities that often characterise immigration law, providing clients with advice they can actually understand and use. Its team collectively speaks 18 languages – including English, Mandarin, Cantonese, Arabic, Spanish, Tamil, French, and Malay – so employees can communicate directly with sponsored workers in their first language. Underpinning Roam’s client service is the recognition that immigration is never purely transactional. Every matter involves a person: an employee relocating their family, a skilled professional building a new life, or a business leader trying to keep a Most Trusted Corporate Immigration Law Firm 2026 – Melbourne critical project on track. Roam never loses sight of this human dimension, which is what drives its team to go beyond the technical requirement of any given matter and ask what would actually make a difference to the people involved. The result is a firm that clients regularly return to and refer others to. Immigration is not an easy process, but Roam certainly makes it feel that way for its clients through consistency, client-centricity, and communication. The team has won the hard-earned trust of countless corporations and individuals seeking to navigate the immigration landscape with confidence and ease, making Roam Migration Law truly deserving of its status as Melbourne’s Most Trusted Corporate Immigration Law Firm 2026. Contact: Rebecca Spoor Company: Roam Migration Law Web Address: www.roammigrationlaw.com Aaron Taylor, Chief Executive Officer
APAC Insider- Legal Awards 2026 | 12 Roam Migration Law is a Melbourne-based law firm renowned for transforming immigration into a strategic advantage by helping organisations move the right talent at the right time. This is a mission led by Principal Lawyer and Owner Jackson Taylor, an experienced practitioner who has made it his mission to add a human element to the world of immigration law. We heard more from Jackson below, following his recent recognition in the APAC Legal Awards 2026. Immigration Law Leader of the Year 2026 (Australia): Jackson Taylor Jackson Taylor is a Principal Lawyer and Owner of Roam Migration Law. Since taking his first steps into the field of immigration in 2008, he has developed a particular interest in the confluence of immigration and employment law, and how government policy shapes the experiences of temporary migrants in the workplace. He is also interested in policy reform in business and skilled migration, using academic research to improve migration outcomes and employer confidence. Jackson started his first career in immigration at Fragomen in 2008, Australia’s largest corporate immigration law firm at the time. From day one, he was immersed in employer-sponsored visa work, advising corporate and individual clients, liaising with the Department of Home Affairs, and developing a detailed understanding of the compliance obligations that sit alongside every sponsorship programme. This was an exceptional place to learn the craft, ultimately shaping everything that followed. Following Fragomen, Jackson moved through roles that progressively broadened his experience: from senior migration work at TSS Immigration, to founding Eventus Corporate Immigration in 2014, and then to building Hammond Taylor, where he served as Partner from 2016. Each step deepened Jackson’s conviction that the most valuable thing an immigration lawyer can do for a business is not simply process applications but help that business think strategically about the ways in which immigration fits into its workforce planning. “That conviction became the foundation for Roam Migration Law,” Jackson reflected. “When we fully evolved from Hammond Taylor into Roam in 2021, it was a deliberate decision, a chance to build something that fully reflected what we believed corporate immigration advice should look like: singular in focus, fixed-fee and transparent, technology-enabled, and genuinely strategic.” Most immigration practitioners enter this field through a single pathway, such as registered migration agent training or a generalist law degree with an immigration elective. Jackson attained a Juris Doctor and Masters of Workplace and Employment Law from Monash University, reflecting a genuine conviction that immigration law cannot be practices well in isolation from employment law, corporate law, and the policy context in which it operates. Jackson’s approach to service has been shaped by nearly two decades of watching what works, and what does not, in corporate immigration practices of very different sizes and cultures. The clearest lesson he has taken over the years has been that clients do not just want their visas processed; they want to feel confident that someone who understands their business is managing their situation, ahead of any problems, and reachable when anything urgent arises. He strives to never lose sight of the heart of each case: the sponsored worker, the employee relocating their family, or the skilled professional building a new life in Australia. He believes that these people deserve the same quality of care as the corporate client paying the invoice. Holding both of those relationships with equal seriousness is something Jackson feels strongly about, and a standard he expects of all employees at Roam Migration Law. Jackson has dedicated his meaningful career to making the immigration system work better for the people within it. From policy engagement and public debate to constructing systems and training the next generation, he has worked tirelessly to help skilled professionals navigating uncertainty, families making enormous sacrifices, and workers who have been made vulnerable by their visa status. For his significant contributions to the field, always holding himself and his team to the highest standards, Jackson Taylor has been named Australia’s Immigration Law Leader of the Year 2026. “I did not end up in corporate immigration law by accident,” he concluded. “Every decision – the academic choices, the firms I work at, the firm I built – reflects a considered view about what this area of law can and should look like. Seventeen years in, I am more motivated than I have ever been. The work is more complex, the stakes are higher, and the opportunity to make a genuine difference has never felt greater.” Contact: Jackson Taylor Company: Roam Migration Law Web Address: www.roammigrationlaw.com
APAC Insider- Legal Awards 2026 | 13 Tang & Ku is a specialist law firm focusing on criminal and regulatory defence in Hong Kong. The firm was started because of a gap in the market, as there was a real need from clients for the high-level skills of an international firm but the personalised attention and quick response times only a small and local team could provide. It is from this foundation that Tang & Ku has grown into one of the most respected names in the industry, something reflected through this award. Yvonne Ku, partner and one of the three expert lawyers behind the firm, told us more. Supporting its clients across every stage of a criminal case, Tang & Ku knows the distress that can be caused by an arrest or being asked by law enforcement to aid in an investigation, and that is why its first instruction is always to reach out to one of its lawyers for confidential legal advice. The team here know the best strategies to deploy, and their guidance could prove critical in whether or not a client ultimately ends up charged or convicted. In reaching out to Tang & Ku, clients will gain an immediate assessment of their situation and receive professional and transparent advice on how to best navigate it, without getting themselves into more trouble. The firm can then advise on key matters including approaching bail, which court the case is likely to be heard in, and how matters could develop at every stage. All of this makes Tang & Ku a lifeline during trying times. Clients from all walks of life choose Tang & Ku, from senior business executives and high-net-worth individuals seeking discreet and sophisticated advice through to private and vulnerable individuals in need of a strong voice to help them navigate the stress of a criminal charge. Specifically, the team act as a criminal defence for common issues like driving or traffic offences through to much more serious offences like murder or drug trafficking. They specialise particularly in whitecollar crime, such as bribery or money laundering. This is one of the areas of law that is becoming increasingly complicated, something Yvonne told us more about: “Authorities are now more technically advanced, and cases often involve massive volumes of evidence and data. Navigating these paper-heavy cases requires us to be more meticulous than ever.” Yet, challenge brings opportunity, and this is something that a boutique firm like Tang & Ku can foster across the legal landscape. For instance, Yvonne added: “Our 100% focus on criminal law allows us to offer a level of depth that multi-service firms often cannot match.” Besides this knowledge, the benefits of partnering with Tang & Ku include direct access to partners (Yvonne is joined in this role by Eric Tang) as well as the firm’s ‘rising star’, Acacia Chan. The synergy of these three individuals means every case handled by the best criminal law firm in Hong Kong benefits from the combination of veteran wisdom and modern tactics this team employ. What follows is an approach built on the pillars of accessibility, empathy, and clarity. The team believe that no client should ever leave their Queensway office feeling uncertain or confused, leading them to break down their strategies into language that is easy to understand. Supporting this is the fact that all of its lawyers speak the three languages most commonly known and used in Hong Kong: English, Cantonese, and Mandrin. The tri-lingual nature of the team, compared with their Best Criminal & Regulatory Defence Specialists 2026 – Hong Kong specialist knowledge and boutique nature, continues to set them and their firm apart in a legal landscape that it always changing. As demand for their knowledge remains high, plans are in place to take on two more trainees this year, with the idea being to train and retain the next generation of criminal defence solicitors in Hong Kong. Long term, this will ensure that the high standards and exceptional outcomes Tang & Ku is known for will continue for decades. Lastly, reflecting on what keeps Tang & Ku going day to day, Yvonne explained that the most rewarding part of this work is seeing the visible relief on a client’s face when they realise they do not have to shoulder their legal burden alone. For more on the full range of services provided by this boutique criminal defence firm in Hong Kong, as well as the synergy of the dedicated lawyers behind it, visit the link below. Company: Tang & Ku Web Address: https://www.tangandku.com/
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