About Anna McRae-Anderson

As both mediator and ex-litigator, her vast understanding of the law is
harmonized with her practical intellect and compassion for those in dispute.

Anna’s vast litigation and dispute resolution experience provides her with vivid insight into the challenges faced by participants in our legal system as well as the many benefits of mediation in dispute resolution. 

Personable, with practical intellect, genuine compassion and curiosity, Anna strives to ensure parties carefully assess all options, have control over the outcome in a cost effective and time efficient way, often resulting in creative and commercial outcomes that are otherwise unable to be achieved via the legal system ~ enabling her clients to get on with business and their lives. 

Anna is proud to be a Founding Member of the Kato Collective

Professional Background

Having commenced her legal career in general practice, Anna later joined a mid-tier national law firm in 1999, where she was Principal in the commercial litigation department from 2008 to 2014.

After becoming a Nationally Accredited Mediator in 2013, Anna dedicated her practice to mediation and established
McRae-Anderson Mediation in early 2014.

In 2017, Anna studied advanced mediation at Harvard University in Cambridge. This study focused on mediating complex multiparty disputes.

Anna’s extensive dispute resolution experience, across all jurisdictions, acting for Plaintiffs and Defendants is invaluable to her role as mediator, enabling her to understand both sides to any dispute as well as the opportunities that can arise through a mediated outcome.

Anna is an active member of numerous mediator panels including the:

• Office of the Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC)

• Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (Franchising) (ASBFEO, formerly OFMA)

• Magistrates’ Court List of External Mediators (LEM)

• County Court of Victoria and LIV Commercial Division Mediator Referral Scheme

• Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal (VCAT)

as well as member of the Alternative Dispute Resolution Committee of the Law Institute of Victoria since 2023.

Anna’s areas of mediation include:

• Commercial - contracts, sale of business, distribution and service contracts

• Trade practices and consumer law - misleading and deceptive conduct, unconscionability

• Property and leasing

• Franchising

• Intellectual property

• Corporations - director’s duties

• Partnership and shareholders disputes

• Employment - restraint of trade

• Local government

• Administrative

• Professional negligence

• Defamation  

• Agriculture and water

• Banking and finance - loan agreements, guarantees

• Insolvency - preference claims

Anton Piller - Search Orders

Anna regularly accepts the role of Independent Solicitor from the Court and private firms in injunctive relief proceedings concerning intellectual property and employment disputes.  Her extensive skills and experience are well suited to the role which requires a careful balance of both legal and human elements.

Anna regularly publishes articles, and has presented and facilitated training for the Australian Centre for Justice Innovation - Monash University, Office of the Victorian Small Business Commission, Franchising Expo - OFMA, Department of Health and Human Services and litigation teams of private law firms.

Qualifications, Memberships and Panels

• Resolution Institute - Advanced Mediator Accreditation (2024)

• Alternative Dispute Resolution Law Institute of Victoria Committee Member since 2023

• Harvard University - Program on Negotiation, Executive Education, Advanced Mediation Course (2017)

• Law Institute of Victoria Accredited Specialist (Mediation) (2016)

• Panel Mediator, Office of the Franchising Mediation Adviser (OFMA) (2014)

• Magistrates’ Court Single List of External Mediators (SLEM) (2014)

• Accredited Mediator, National Mediator Accreditation System (NMAS) (2013)

• Panel Mediator, Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC) (2013)

• Barrister and Solicitor of the Supreme Court of Victoria and High Court of - Australia (1998)
  (holding a current practising certificate)

• Bachelor of Laws, Latrobe University (1997)

• Bachelor of Legal Studies, Latrobe University (1995)

• Member of Resolution Institute & IAMA

• Member of the Law Institute of Victoria - Litigation Lawyers Section

• Member of the Australian Institute of Company Directors

• Member of the Australian Mediation Association

My Green Pledge

McRae-Anderson Mediation is a supporter of and signatory to the World Mediators Alliance on Climate Change (WoMACC) Green Pledge. Learn more about our Green Pledge.