Best Lawyers in Australia for Leasing Law

Sarah is a Special Counsel in the Sydney Property & Development team and has more than 20 years' experience as a property lawyer. She has worked both in private practice and in-house at an institutional property portfolio. Sarah is experienced in leasing, due diligence, sales and acquisitions, advice work, drafting client leasing precedents, and financing work. Sarah acts for corporate and institutional clients, both as landlord and tenant, and advises on all aspects of commercial, retail...

Janelle Metcalf is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leasing Law and Real Property Law. Janelle, who practices law in Brisbane, Australia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Janelle is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

John is a leading Commercial lawyer in Canberra and is renowned for his expertise, professionalism and integrity. With more than 40 years experience, John’s extensive business acumen enables him to quickly identify clients’ issues and work towards commercial results. Over John’s many years in practice he has been a key advisor in many significant and high profile property transactions including commercial property sales and purchases, land releases, joint ventures, building ...

Jason Vernik is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leasing Law and Real Property Law. Jason, who practices law in Adelaide, Australia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Jason is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joseph Ip is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leasing Law and Real Property Law. Joseph, who practices law in Melbourne, Australia, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Joseph is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Daniel Papalia is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leasing Law and Real Property Law. Daniel, who practices law in Leederville, Australia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Daniel is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Sam Richardson is a Director of Cowell Clarke’s Property team and advises on a variety of matters from purchase and sale of property to complex lease negotiations. Sam has acted for clients in the acquisition and disposal of property, as well as for developers on residential and mixed use developments. Sam is an active member of the Property Council of Australia and the Urban Development Institute of Australia where he sits on the community housing committee. Sam’s expertise has b...

Kieren Chester is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Law, Leasing Law and Real Property Law. Kieren, who practices law in Adelaide, Australia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Kieren is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Joe is a highly experienced commercial lawyer having acted in a wide range of property & commercial related matters. His expertise covers all areas of franchise law, business acquisitions/sales & structuring (including preparing partnership-type arrangements), estate planning, business succession, estate administration, and all aspects of property law, including acquisition and sales, property development and preparation of co-ownership and joint venture arrangements. Joe has extensiv...

Chris practises in a diverse range of property law, with a strong focus on major commercial acquisitions and leasing as well as renewable energy and infrastructure projects. Chris regularly acts for vendors, purchasers, landlords, tenants and developers. He has expertise in the preparation of numerous property documents with varying levels of complexity including contracts for sale, leases, easements, encumbrances, land divisions and caveats. He also regularly undertakes property related due ...

Darren is a partner who specialises in the following areas within the property industry: large scale property and business transactions comprising due diligence, acquisitions, disposals and financing of those transactions in commercial property, tourism and health and aged care sectors commercial and retail leasing structured community title development including mixed use development liquor licensing and gaming rural acquisitions and disposals. In particular, Darren has extensive experience ...

Michael has 30 years' experience in property law, and is considered to be one of the leading property lawyers in Australia. Michael advises across a comprehensive range of property issues and transactions including property sales, acquisitions and developments, due diligence for strategic acquisitions, shopping centre expansions and redevelopments, joint ventures and leasing of all types. He works with clients in the commercial, retail and industrial property sectors. Michael regularly presen...