The Legal 500

Clayton Utz provides an ‘exceptional service’; the team has ‘very thorough knowledge’ and is ‘one of the leading practices’ in the market. It is currently advising the Barangaroo Delivery Authority on a A$6bn urban renewal project. Alfonso del Rio and associate Alastair Gregory are ‘both very knowledgeable and commercial’; Gary Best is a ‘very strong commercial lawyer’; and John McGuire has a ‘very practical approach’.

Herbert Smith Freehills has a ‘depth of experience that enables it to respond quickly’, and gives ‘sound advice, helping clients to achieve their commercial objectives’. Lend Lease is a key client; the firm is assisting with its tender for the rights of stage 1 of the Barangaroo development, as well as on the redevelopment of the RNA Showgrounds in Brisbane. Michael Back, Luke Simpson, and Frank Poeta are all very well renowned.

King & Wood Mallesons’ real estate practice is ‘one of the best in the market’. Headed by Simone Menz, it advises on commercial and retail real estate transactions, litigation, planning, and real estate finance. Andrew Erikson is ‘excellent’, and Sue Kench is one of ‘the best all-round property lawyers in Australia’.

Allens’expertise includes the acquisition and disposal of assets, mixed-use developments, and leasing negotiations. It acted for a Charter Hall-managed wholesale entity on its A$164m acquisition of the Bay Village Shopping Centre. Mark Stubbings heads the practice.

Ashurst LLP has ‘wide-reaching expertise’, with eight partners providing ‘in-depth’ advice. John Stawyskyj led advice to Sekisui House on its joint venture with Frasers Property for the development of the former Carlton United Brewery site in Sydney. Practice head Richard Brooks and Andrew Deane are both extremely well reputed.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth has 10 partners, and is led by Alan Churley. Peter Calov and Andrew Flannery are advising Mirvac and Leighton Properties on the A$1.7bn development of Sydney’s Green Square district. Jay Andrews has ‘depth of knowledge’ and a ‘good understanding of trigger points’. Additional clients include miVac, Stockland and Australand.

Led by Cameron Charlton, Minter Ellison provides a ‘very high level of service’, and its ‘knowledge of retirement villages is without peers’; Robin Lyons is particularly well regarded in this area. Recent highlights for the group include advising NQPB on the multibillion-dollar expansion of coal terminal facilities at Abbot Point and Hay Point. Virginia Briggs and John Prevost are also highly recommended.

Baker & McKenzie provides an ‘excellent service’, led by Graeme Dickson. Other names to note include Karen Ryder and Bruce Webb; the latter recently led advice to Salvo Property Group on the acquisition, development, construction and financing of 36-level residential development.

DLA Piper Australia has a ‘timely, incisive, and considered approach’. Clients include Valad, Forever New and Charter Hall, and recent highlights include advising FKP on its A$1.1bn redevelopment of the Gasworks site in Brisbane. Tom Cantwell is recommended, along with recent recruit Les Koltai from Ashurst LLP.

Norton Rose Australia’s 11-partner practice is advising the Juniper Group on the Soul project in Queensland, a mixed-use development valued at A$850m. It is also advising Stockland on its office and industrial asset disposal programme. Peter Trevaskis heads the practice, and is recommended along with Tom Young.

Gadens Lawyers recently advised a joint venture between Mirvac and AMP on the redevelopment of the Coca-Coal Amatil Building in Sydney. Jennifer Andrews, and Stephen Healy are the key contacts.

Gilbert + Tobin’s team is led by Diane Skapinker and includes Amanda Hempel, who has particular expertise in retail, tourism, and infrastructure matters.

At Henry Davis York, Harshane Kahagalle is leading advice to Lend Lease on planning, urban design, environmental issues, and approval requirements for its urban renewal projects in Barangaroo. Shane Martins heads the group.

Maddocks is noted for its ‘contemporary approach’ and ‘excellent subject matter knowledge’. It advised Mirvac on the acquisition of 200 hectares of parkland and residential land in the South East. Lisa Chung, Nick Holuigue, and Bronwyn Badcock are recommended.

Headed by Ken Gray, Arnold Bloch Leibler’s team advised Walker Corporation on the sale of the Point Cook Town Centre development.

HopgoodGanim’s experience includes sales contracts and settlements, commercial leasing, and land purchase contracts. Clients note the ‘prompt and professional’ service, and the team’s ‘unquestionable knowledge’. Practice head Tony Baldwin and Don Battams are particularly well regarded.

Ian Hazzard leads McCullough Robertson’s property practice that includes newly promoted partner Brett Hawkins in Sydney. Key clients include Australand and Lend Lease.

Piper Alderman’s 10-partner team is led by Tony Britten-Jones, and advises on acquisitions, disposals and leasing issues. Charter Hall and Centro Retail are key clients.

Ryan Lawyers is ‘thorough in its approach’ and is particularly well known in the tourism and leisure sector. Special counsel Michael Simpson is ‘extremely responsive and knowledgeable, particularly for hotel management agreements’, and Tony Ryan is a ‘market-leading expert in the hospitality sector’.

TressCox is noted for ‘excellent, responsive and very detailed advice’. Dan Flynn recently joined the group.