Best Lawyers in Australia for Government Practice

Georgina Adams is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Law, Corporate / Governance Practice, Government Practice, Information Technology Law, Outsourcing Law, Public Law and Telecommunications Law. Georgina practices law in Canberra, Australia Best Lawyers has recognized Georgina Adams since 2014. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the profes...

Nicholas Seddon is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Commercial Law and Government Practice. Nicholas practices law in Canberra, Australia Best Lawyers has recognized Nicholas Seddon since 2008. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Nicholas Seddon is held by other lawyers.

Rebecca has extensive experience in advising the Commonwealth in relation to workers’ compensation matters. She is fully cognisant of the responsibilities of the Commonwealth in adhering to the Model Litigant Policy and the unique challenges that this can bring. In a previous role Rebecca successfully held the position of National Client Service Manager for Comcare, which, as a significant client, brought enormous responsibility from a business perspective. Rebecca is focussed on delive...

Paul acts for Commonwealth Government agencies, statutory authorities and private sector employers. Paul joined Thomsons in July 2025, bringing with him deep Commonwealth client relationships built over an extensive career. Paul’s practice spans all aspects of employment and industrial relations, WHS governance, administrative law and government procurement. He advises on enterprise bargaining, individual and collective workplace agreements, discrimination complaints, investigations of ...

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...

Neil Williams came to the Bar in 1989 and was appointed Senior Counsel in 2001. He appeared in a wide range of major cases both at first instance and on appeal including, major environmental and planning issues, major tax matters, major constitutional issues, a wide range of general administrative law matters, competition and consumer law matters, broadcasting matters, and criminal appeals. He appeared in all Australian jurisdictions, the Solomon Islands, Fiji and Nauru. He now does advising ...

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...

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...

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 ...

Adrian acts for major Australian and international employers across retail, financial services, higher education, transport and both Federal and State Government. His clients include large listed corporates, major public sector employers and universities. Adrian advises on workplace strategy, enterprise bargaining, wage compliance, transfer of business, misconduct litigation and industrial disputes. He has particular expertise in regulator engagement, including negotiating enforceable underta...

Hyans acts for Commonwealth, State and Territory government agencies and commercial clients on procurement, contracts and public law matters. Hyans advises on commercial contracts, corporate governance, statutory interpretation, legislative drafting, regulatory law, administrative law, privacy and FOI matters, and procurement and probity. His practice covers all aspects of government contracting from strategy and tender design through contract award and administration, as well as legal advice...

Philip acts for major listed and private corporations in connection with corporate and commercial activities. His client base includes mining services companies, agribusiness operators, property developers, food service businesses, medical practices and other commercial entities. Philip advises on acquisitions and divestments (both share and asset purchases), corporate restructuring, commercial contracts, corporate governance and general commercial law. His work covers the full transaction li...

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 Macoun is a Brisbane-based lawyer with HopgoodGanim, where she focuses on government practice, land use and zoning law, and planning and environmental law. She works with clients navigating the regulatory frameworks that shape development and infrastructure across Queensland, offering practical guidance grounded in an understanding of how policy and planning intersect. Her work regularly involves advising on development approvals, planning schemes and environmental assessments, as well ...

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...

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...