Who we are

Derek Lo

Practice Areas: Commercial Law, Commercial Litigation, Criminal Law, Family Law and Wills and Estates. 

Derek has 23 years of legal experience and has conducted litigation in State and Federal Superior Courts, including contractual and partnership disputes, trade practices, corporations law, and torts matters.

Derek acts for corporations and individuals based in Australia and elsewhere in the Asia Pacific region. He has advised clients from a range of industries including manufacturing, wholesale, retail, financial services, international trade, professional services, education and construction. Due to his interest in the retail sector, he has been involved in many franchise of international brands and has acted for franchisers and franchisees alike. Derek has had the opportunity in recent years to provide strategic advice to Australian and overseas businesses on international trade and establishing new enterprises in foreign jurisdictions.

Derek leads the firm’s corporate social responsibility (CSR) program. He sees CSR as central to the legitimacy of the legal profession and an important way in which Canaan Lawyers can contribute to the wider public interest.

Derek makes a personal contribution to the community by acting as a volunteer legal advisor for a number of charitable and non-profit organisations. He is a former president of the Lions Club of Melbourne Chinese and is an office bearer in numerous other professional bodies and community groups. He has a passion for community education on legal issues. He frequently presents at seminars for business people and is a regular guest presenter on SBS Radio.