Profile
Marija Caruana-Smith is founder and principal lawyer at Altura Legal, a specialist Victorian practice focused on construction litigation and dispute resolution. Bringing 20 years of legal experience and heavily entrenched in construction litigation since 2012, she understands that project delays, unpaid work and protracted disagreements directly threaten a builder’s operational momentum and cash flow.
Recognised as Sole Practitioner of the Year 2024 by the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards and named among the Top 100 Women in Construction 2026, Caruana-Smith pairs decisive representation with proactive risk management. She routinely represents residential and commercial builders, subcontractors and owners across Victorian tribunals and courts, including VCAT, the County Court and the Supreme Court.
While highly experienced in litigation, Caruana-Smith actively works with clients during critical early stages to resolve conflicts before they escalate. She is an agile, commercially minded practitioner known for providing clear strategies aimed at protecting her clients' interests and reputations.
From Security of Payment Act (SOPA) claims to complex defect, variation, delay and contract termination disputes, she manages matters with transparency and strategic clarity. She has no interest in overcomplicating legal processes, allowing clients to focus on delivering their projects.
Level 14, 330 Collins Street, Melbourne VIC 3000
(03) 9647 2807
marija@alturalegal.com.au
linkedin.com/in/marijacaruanasmith/
alturalegal.com.au
Marija Caruana-Smith
Principal
Altura Legal
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Milestones
2024
2025
2026
2023
2024–2026
Winner, Sole Practitioner of the Year at the Lawyers Weekly Women in Law Awards
2024
Altura Legal is recognised as a Top Specialist Firm by Australasian Lawyer
Named one of the Top 50 Small Business Leaders by Inside Small Business
Winner, Legal Services (Small) at the Australian Professionals Small Business Champion Awards
2025
Honoured as one of the Top 100 Women in Construction
2026
Promoted to Senior Associate and recognised as an Australasian Lawyer Rising Star
2023
2024: Recognised as an Australasian Lawyer Elite Woman and appointed as a board member of Windmill Theatre Company
2025: Named an Australasian Lawyer Future Legal Leader
2026: Appointed Associate Director at WRP Legal
2024–2026
Milestones
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