Barrister
Areas of Practice
Building & Construction
Commercial/Equity/Contract
Corporation Act
Misleading & Deceptive Conduct
Succession & Family Provisions
Qualifications
About
Vera Culkoff joined the Bar in late 2000.
Vera’s practice is primarily in commercial litigation (with an emphasis in building and construction disputes) and estate litigation including probate and family provisions disputes.
Before coming to the Bar, Vera was an equity partner with Maurice Blackburn Cashman and Cashman & Partners. Prior to that she was a solicitor with Clayton Utz for 4 years. During this time, she gained experience in commercial litigation, including large scale litigation against Westpac, ANZ, AMP and GIO, mass tort litigation/class actions, product liability litigation and commercial class actions, which included regular travel to the United States for the purposes of gathering evidence and conferring with experts.
Vera has lectured widely in building and construction law at various seminars and workshops, as well as chairing Seminars. She has also been regularly involved in mentoring programs to inspire women in the law generally and in coming to the Bar.
Outside the law, Vera loves adventure and exploration. She climbed to Base Camp, Mt Everest. From a group of about 30, she was one of four that made it to Base Camp. She learnt first-hand the power of the mind (not the legs). Some years later her daughter invited her to climb Mt Kilimanjaro. How could she resist such a mother/daughter adventure – even though she thought one mountain in a lifetime is one mountain too many. She also explored the Namibian desert with her daughter in search of the elephant matriarchs. Sunbaked with seals in Galapagos. Been literally kissed on the cheek by dolphins in Cuba. Slept in an ice hotel in Norway in search of the Northern Lights. Explored the wonders of Machu Pichu. Ate the delicacy bull’s balls in Argentina and hilariously commented they looked like the matador’s. Played with penguins in Antarctica. Danced down the River Nile as Nefertiti in Egypt. Camel ride to the Pyramids. Donkey ride through the mysteries of Jordan. A sweet proposal at the Taj Mahal. Ayurveda retreat in Kerela India. New Year’s Eve in Vegas. Danced with the Masai Mara in Kenya. Gorillas in the mist in Uganda – mesmerised by the humanity of the silverback when gazing deep into his eyes. Hermitage Museum in St Petersburg revelling in the artwork of Rembrandt, Van Gogh, Gauguin, Picasso. Floating with the village people on Lake Titicaca. Watching men knitting and running up and down a mountain in Peru to attract a wife …
Her commitment to success in all she does is unwavering – including her legal work. She will explore every potential argument/solution and provide quite blunt advice, where necessary. Or the converse. She fully appreciates the stresses of litigation can be greater than climbing a mountain. She assists in every way she can to find the best legal solutions.
Vera herself was inspired to publish two books during COVID-19 (unrelated to the law): Freedom From Fear and An Ordinary Life.
Curriculum VitaeRecent Conference Presentation
Vera Culkoff recently joined esteemed colleagues from 2 Selborne Chambers and distinguished keynote speakers—Her Honour Judge Jane Costigan and The Honourable Philip Hallen SC—at the 2025 Property, Family and Succession Law Conference in Newcastle.
Vera presented on the topic “Managing Your Law Practice”, sharing practical strategies and insights drawn from her own experience at the Bar. You can watch her full presentation here.
She also took part in the interactive Ethics Panel, contributing alongside fellow 2 Selborne barristers Cameron Jackson and Damien Toohey, and guest speaker Adrian Maroya. The session invited lively discussion and thoughtful reflection on current ethical challenges facing legal practitioners.
During the event, guest speaker Ian Duane was presented with a copy of Vera’s latest book, Freedom from Fear, a gesture warmly received and emblematic of the collegial spirit of the conference.
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