Roger Mendelson was born in Melbourne, as one of four siblings. His very early life was spent in North Melbourne and the family then moved to a large property in Eaglemont, in Melbourne's north.

His father was born in Russia and after migrating to Australia, qualified as a doctor and then practised as a GP.

Roger initially attended East Ivanhoe state school and then Wesley College. His university years were spent at Monash University, where he studied law and economics and finished up with an LLB and BEc.

After completing articles and qualifying as a lawyer, he and his young wife Sue went to the UK. After a period of travelling, they ended up living in a village outside Oxford. Their first child, Tessa, was born at this stage. Upon return to Australia, he worked for 6 months in a national accounting firm and then purchased a legal practice in the eastern suburbs of Melbourne, with a partner. The practice became one of the largest suburban based practices in Melbourne at that time. Two sons were born in Melbourne.

Roger founded Prushka Fast Debt Recovery and in 1991, he took over full ownership of this business and established Mendelsons National Debt Collection Lawyers.

Roger was President of Temple Beth Israel a large Progressive Synagogue for 3 years and in 2015, was elected President of Union for Progressive Judaism, the roof body for Progressive (reform) Judaism in Australia, New Zealand and Asia.

He has lived in the Dandenong Ranges for many years and he and Sue maintain an apartment in inner Melbourne. Roger has 4 young grandchildren.

He is the author of The Ten Mistakes Businesses Make and How to Avoid Them and Business Survival, both published by New Holland Publishers.

Eliyahu's Mistress is his debut novel.