Cruz Almeida

Cruz joined Gateways as General Counsel in March 2025. In his role, he provides strategic legal and compliance advice to the Board, Executive Group, and wider organisation, supporting governance, operational decision-making, and risk management across all service areas. 

He brings a wealth of legal experience, having advised statutory bodies, regulatory authorities, listed companies, private corporations, and individuals on complex legal and compliance matters. For a significant part of his career, Cruz acted as legal advisor to one of Victoria’s largest statutory water authorities, where he gained substantial insight into the legal challenges faced by large, regulated service providers.   

Cruz’s portfolio has spanned commercial transactions, property and land-related issues, dispute resolution, litigation, and regulatory matters. He has led negotiations on significant agreements, provided counsel on governance and compliance frameworks, and supported the development of internal capabilities across multiple organisations. His expertise includes governance, statutory interpretation, commercial and property law, litigation, and regulatory compliance. Recognised for a practical, solutions-oriented style, Cruz is adept at managing legal complexities in highly regulated environments. 

Cruz holds a Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and a Bachelor of Arts (Politics & Policy Studies) from Deakin University, alongside a Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice from the Leo Cussen Centre for Law. He is admitted to practice in the Supreme Court of Victoria and the High Court of Australia and is affiliated with the Law Institute of Victoria, the Association of Corporate Counsel, and other professional bodies. 

A proud Geelong local, Cruz is committed to leveraging his skills to advance inclusive, community-focused practice. He has previously served on the Board of the Werribee River Association the Law Institute of Victoria’s Courts Practice Committee, and several legal sector working groups.