Best Lawyers in Australia for Government Practice

Olivia Williamson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Practice, Land Use and Zoning Law and Planning and Environmental Law. Olivia, who practices law in Brisbane, Australia, has been recognized since 2021. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Olivia is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Stephen came to the Bar in 1998, taking silk ten years later. His practice ranges across all areas of public law, with a particular emphasis on Constitutional Law, Judicial Review, International Law and Revenue Law. He also practices extensively in Native Title (in which field he is a co-author of the leading textbook) and in regulatory pricing and economic matters. Stephen has an extensive appellate practice, having appeared in the Full Court of the High Court in over 70 proceedings (not cou...

Robert is a government procurement, probity and ethics specialist experienced in advising on high value, complex and sensitive projects, including the acquisition of assets and services, such as complex Defence assets, technology and communication assets, and logistics services. He also has experience in advising private sector clients on tendering strategies. What he does Robert advises on all aspects of major projects and commercial transactions, including procurement strategies, tender and...

Steve advises departments of the Commonwealth Government, most notably the Department of Defence, on procurement, contracting and construction matters. He acts for both government agencies and private sector clients participating in government procurement. Steve advises on all aspects of procurement and construction projects including: strategic advice, acquisition strategies, risk analysis, drafting and negotiating contract and tender documentation, contract administration, IT contracts, ris...

John Emmerig is one of Australia's leading litigation and regulatory lawyers. He has 38 years' experience and a national reputation for handling high-stakes domestic and cross-border litigation for prominent multinationals and major Australian companies. John's key focus areas are (1) class action defence, (2) high-stakes commercial and government disputes, and (3) regulator investigations and actions. Clients describe John as an " industry great ", " profoundly experienced " and note " his t...

Nicola Johnson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Government Practice and Public Law. Nicola, who practices law in Sydney, Australia, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Nicola is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jeremy's practice spans work with a range of government and corporate clients. He has acted in claims before the High Court, Federal Court, various Supreme Courts and the Administrative Appeals Tribunal. Jeremy's administrative and regulatory law experience includes: advising Commonwealth agencies in relation to regulatory proceedings, including in relation to options and evidence required for declaratory, civil penalty and injunctive relief in accordance with the Regulatory Powers (Standard ...

Sarah acts for Commonwealth Government departments and agencies on procurement, contracting and governance matters. Her client base is primarily the Commonwealth and Commonwealth entities, with a particular focus on defence procurement and capital equipment acquisition. Sarah advises on procurement activities for aviation, land vehicle and maritime assets, governance matters for statutory corporations, contract negotiations, competitive tendering processes and privatisations. She leads contra...

Sarah acts for Commonwealth Government agencies and private sector clients on defence and national security matters, export control and regulation, and government procurement. She is part of the firm’s defence and national security practice. Sarah advises on defence and national security legal frameworks, export control obligations under the Defence Trade Controls Act and associated legislation, and government procurement. Her practice spans the legal architecture governing Australia&rs...

Khory is a highly experienced litigator, negotiator and strategist with over 30 year’s experience. He provides wide-ranging issues management and conflict advice to corporate and government decision makers at the highest levels. Khory has advised clients across a multitude of industries including energy, resources, finance, building and construction, government, health and education. He advises clients on commercial and industrial disputes and disruptions, strategic risk and issue manag...

As Legal Director of the Planning, Environment and Local Government team Alice provides skilled and professional advice and representation for local government and private clients on a wide range of NSW and ACT planning, environmental and administrative law matters. Alice is a pragmatic and practical problem solver who works in partnership with her clients to deliver ‘on ground’ results. She enjoys providing strategic advice on how best to achieve her client’s goals, and spe...

Rohan is a partner in our Sydney office and leads Mills Oakley’s Government and Administrative Law team. Rohan is an experienced solicitor in government and public and administrative law. He has over 20 years’ experience in advising and representing Commonwealth officers, Departments and agencies on sound decision-making procedures, merits and judicial review litigation, statutory interpretation, policy development and implementation and access to information. Rohan is also very e...

Angela acts for Commonwealth Government agencies and departments across technology, procurement and contracting matters. Her clients include Defence and other major Commonwealth entities. Angela advises on Australian Government procurement, information and communications technology contracts, software development and licensing, data protection and privacy, business process outsourcing, IP licensing, technology commercialisation and Defence infrastructure projects. She advises on all phases of...

Elissa acts for Commonwealth government agencies and entities, universities and private sector organisations on employment, workplace relations and safety matters. Her focus is public sector employment and workplace relations. Elissa advises on enterprise bargaining (including drafting, strategy, industrial action and approval challenges), employment litigation (general protections, unfair dismissal, discrimination and bullying), workforce planning and reform, misconduct and underperformance ...

Natalie has close to 20 years’ experience in property, planning and environment law and has been recognised as a leading Australian lawyer in this area in Doyle's Guide to the Australian Legal Profession. She has also been recognised in the The Best Lawyers in Australia in Real Property Law every year since 2017 and was a Finalist at the 2016 Lawyers Weekly Partner of the Year Awards in real estate and for Partner of the Year at the 2014 Australian Law Awards . Natalie acts primarily fo...

Michael Astill is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction / Infrastructure Law, Government Practice, Litigation, Planning and Environmental Law and Real Property Law. Michael, who practices law in Sydney, Australia, has been recognized since 2008. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Michael is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.