Luke McLean is the Principal Lawyer and founder of McLean Legal. Over the past eight years, Luke has built a distinguished legal career grounded in a deep commitment to justice, equality, and human rights. His work has consistently focused on advocating for individuals facing significant legal and personal challenges, particularly in the areas of migration and refugee law.
Luke has managed a high volume of complex matters across all stages of the immigration process. His experience includes representing clients at the primary stage with the Department of Home Affairs, as well as handling merits review applications before the Administrative Review Tribunal. He has extensive expertise in cases involving character concerns and has successfully represented clients in judicial review proceedings before the Federal Circuit and Family Court, the Federal Court, and the High Court of Australia.
Luke is particularly experienced in handling complex character matters, including those involving personal decisions made by the Minister for Home Affairs under sections 36(1C), 116 and 501 of the Migration Act 1958. These cases often involve visa refusals or cancellations on character grounds where the Minister exercises personal powers that are not subject to merits review. Luke provides strategic legal advice and representation in these high-stakes matters, including preparing ministerial submissions, challenging decisions through judicial review, and advising on pathways to reapply or seek revocation.
He also has experience with cases involving national security assessments, adverse information from intelligence agencies, and other sensitive matters where procedural fairness and transparency are critical. Luke works closely with clients to challenge adverse findings, present compelling evidence of rehabilitation and community contribution, and advocate for fair and lawful outcomes.
In addition, Luke has challenged the lawfulness of immigration detention in the Supreme Court of Victoria and the Federal Court of Australia. He has represented refugees detained offshore in Nauru and on Manus Island, advocating for their urgent medical transfer to Australia.
Luke’s dedication to his clients and his deep understanding of migration law make McLean Legal a trusted choice for individuals and families seeking expert legal support.
Luke is a member of the Visa Cancellations Working Group, a national organisation comprising legal professionals and advocates with significant expertise in visa cancellations and broader migration law. Through this role, he contributes to collective efforts to improve legal outcomes and policy transparency in this complex area of law.
In recognition of his expertise, Luke has been regularly invited to meet with the Department of Home Affairs, the Minister for Home Affairs, and senior advisors to provide feedback on migration processes and to contribute to discussions on law reform. His insights help shape more equitable and effective migration policies in Australia. Additionally, Luke has been invited by the Law Institute of Victoria to present to other migration lawyers on judicial review processes in the Federal Circuit and Federal Court.


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