ADM welcomes Personal Injury Lawyer, Christopher Harris

I grew up in Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and completed my Bachelor of Laws at Monash University in Clayton. During my studies, I took part in two practical programs—the Family Law Assistance Program and the Monash Oakleigh Legal Service—which are student-run community legal centres supervised by experienced practitioners. I also volunteered with the Family Law Assistance Program and spent a year gaining experience at a small suburban firm. After graduating, I completed my Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice at the Australian National University and was admitted to the Supreme Court of Victoria as an Australian Lawyer in 2015, although I didn’t immediately begin practising.

Shortly after my admission, I was injured in a motorcycle accident and spent a period in rehabilitation before returning to work in a manual-handling role at a large food distribution warehouse. I later suffered a serious workplace injury that prevented me from returning to similar physical work. After relocating to regional Victoria and eventually settling in Bendigo with my wife, I decided to return to the law. Given my personal experiences with both TAC and WorkCover, personal injury became a natural and meaningful area of practice for me.

I joined Arnold Dallas McPherson as a Legal Assistant supporting two senior lawyers—Partner John McPherson and Senior Associate Nicole Connors—and later accepted a role as a Personal Injury Lawyer. I value that, unlike many other areas of law, personal injury allows us to assist clients on a no-win-no-fee basis and to help them obtain fair compensation when they’ve been injured through no fault of their own.

Having personally suffered injuries in both a transport accident and a serious workplace incident, I’ve experienced firsthand what it’s like to navigate the TAC and WorkCover systems. Making a claim, managing the paperwork, attending medical and rehabilitation appointments, and ultimately facing the legal process left a lasting impression on me.

I know how overwhelming and uncertain that period of life can feel. Going through those experiences highlighted the true value of strong legal representation and how meaningful it is to help someone secure fair compensation.

Because these types of claims have shaped my own life, I’m motivated to support clients as they move through their own recovery and claims process—guiding them, advocating for them, and helping make a difficult time a little easier.

My personal experiences strongly shape how I understand and support clients. Having worked in community legal centres, in fast-paced manual-handling roles, in recruitment, and now as a lawyer, I feel able to relate to people from a wide range of backgrounds and workplaces.

When clients talk about their transport accident or workplace injuries, I understand what they’re going through because I’ve been in their position. I know what it’s like to be in pain, to face a long recovery, and to feel uncertain about the future. I often think back to what I valued most during those times, and I try to bring those qualities—empathy, understanding, and a genuine commitment to doing my best—to every client I support.

I’m looking forward to building my skills, knowledge, and experience in personal injury law so I can achieve the best possible results for my clients. I’m particularly motivated to help people who have been injured through no fault of their own, supporting them with clear communication and accurate, practical legal advice. Being able to stand by clients during such a challenging time and work toward a positive outcome is incredibly meaningful to me.

In the long term, I hope to become an Accredited Specialist in Personal Injury Law.

My approach is to provide clear, practical advice about a client’s legal entitlements and to keep them updated as their claim progresses and as their recovery evolves. I make sure clients always understand what stage their matter is at, what comes next, and that they can contact me whenever they need clarification or an update. My goal is to advocate sincerely, skillfully, and honestly on their behalf.

I communicate in a straightforward, accessible way—avoiding unnecessary legal jargon so clients feel confident and informed. If I can’t provide an immediate answer, I will discuss the issue with senior lawyers at Arnold Dallas McPherson and get back to the client promptly.

I’m comfortable communicating through technology, phone or video conferencing, email, and SMS, though I also value in-person meetings. Above all, I strive to be understanding, empathetic, and client-focused, working efficiently to maximise each client’s entitlement to compensation.