Meet Vanessa Varga, the founding Director of Varga Lawyers and one of South Australia’s leading Wills and Estates lawyers.

Vanessa is an Accredited Specialist in Wills and Estates in South Australia and is one of only three founding Accredited Specialists in the state. She is also one of only three members of the Advisory Committee of the Law Society of South Australia’s Wills & Estates Accreditation Program and an author of the program and its assessments.

A recognised leader in her field, Vanessa has been named in Doyle’s Guide every year since 2018. She is known for delivering authentic, strategic legal advice with a genuine commitment to achieving the best possible outcome for her clients.

Vanessa advises on all areas of complex Wills and Estates law, including sophisticated estate planning involving testamentary trusts and interrelated entities, granny flat agreements, probate and estate administration disputes, executor disputes, breaches of fiduciary duty, estate and trust litigation, and SACAT applications. She provides clear, practical advice so clients can confidently understand their options and choose the right path forward.

Vanessa commenced practising law in 2003. In 2008, she became the youngest person amongst her colleagues to be promoted to equity partner in another leading Wills and Estates law firm. As an equity partner specialising in Succession Law, Vanessa also began teaching other lawyers in the area, combining her passion for the law with her commitment to professional growth and education.

In 2016, Vanessa founded Varga Lawyers with the same determination, resilience, and work ethic that had already distinguished her career. Under her leadership, the firm has experienced significant growth and established itself as a leading specialist Wills and Estates practice in South Australia.

Vanessa has also made a substantial contribution to legal education. In 2017, she wrote the Succession Law course guide for Flinders University and taught the subject for several years. In 2018, she also taught Succession Law at the University of South Australia.

Vanessa was recognised by her peers in the 2026 and 2027 editions of the Best Lawyers in Australia™ for her high-calibre work in Trusts and Estates.

Vanessa has also been described as a “brilliant legal communicator” by ABC Radio Adelaide’s David Bevan. Through her regular appearances on ABC Radio, she helps educate the community by explaining complex legal issues in a clear and accessible way.

Vanessa is also the Deputy Chair of the Succession and Elder Law Committee of the Law Society of South Australia.

Vanessa will bring her unique determination to your legal journey, ensuring you have the specialist advice you need to overcome any challenges that arise.

Known for her determination, clarity, and down-to-earth approach, Vanessa combines technical excellence with genuine care for her clients. She is committed to guiding people through complex legal matters with confidence, strength, and practical advice they can trust.

Qualifications

Bachelor of Science (Juris.) (Pharmacology), The University of Adelaide

Bachelor of Laws (Hons.), The University of Adelaide

Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, Law Society of South Australia

Accredited Specialist in Wills & Estates (South Australia)

Voluntary roles

Deputy Chair, Succession & Elder Law Committee, Law Society of South Australia

Languages

Spanish (limited working proficiency)

Loves

Yoga and Meditation