Best Lawyers in Australia for Planning and Environmental Law

16 years of experience at the Bar, and a total of 27 years as a specialist in environmental, planning, mining and associated areas of property law. Listed as either a leading or recommended barrister in the environmental and planning area in the “Doyle’s Guide” for the past nine years. He has also been listed on the Best Lawyers list in the areas on environmental, property and water law, including for the current year 2023- 2024. Complementing his specialist practice in envi...

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.

Kate is a Principal at Harwood Andrews in the Planning, Environment and Local Government team. She recently joined Harwood Andrews from a national law firm where she was a Senior Associate in the Public Law Group, specialising in planning and environment law. She was admitted to legal practice in 2003 and holds a Bachelor of Arts/Law from Deakin University. Kate acts for both government and private clients in metropolitan and regional Victoria. She regularly appears in a variety of planning m...

Brendan is an experienced major projects lawyer working in the area of planning, environment, mining and renewable energy. Brendan has acted for a range of resource clients, advising them on matters ranging from approvals for greenfield projects, climate change litigation, mining lease processes, native title and water licensing. Brendan’s practice covers energy and resources projects in both New South Wales and Queensland where he is currently acting in groundbreaking climate change li...

Tom has expertise across the firm’s practice areas of property development, town planning, infrastructure and projects, pollution licensing and environmental approvals, water and natural resources, land valuation and compensation for compulsory acquisition, liquor licensing, real property and local government and administrative law. Having spent nearly 15 years practicing exclusively in these areas, Tom is widely recognised as a leader in the field. He has advised on a vast spectrum of ...

Adrian’s practice is focused on and specialises in causes of action in the Land and Environment Court. Adrian also appears in the Supreme Court and other Courts and Tribunals in New South Wales, Tasmania and the ACT in Land Law causes of action, and also in the New South Wales Court of Appeal in Land Law appeals. A significant component of work undertaken in the Land and Environment Court is in the Administrative Law jurisdiction (Class 4 judicial review). Adrian is regularly briefed in...

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

Greg Tobin is a Principal at Harwood Andrews, and practice group leader in the area of Planning, Environment and Local Government. Greg acts for local government, developers and private clients advising on a broad range of commercial, residential and infrastructure projects. Greg’s focus is on the provision of practical and commercial advice concerning the statutory and strategic planning processes. He regularly appears on behalf of his clients before the Planning and Environment List o...

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

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.

Meg is a Partner in the Hall & Wilcox Property and Projects team, specialising in planning and environment law. She has over 20 years’ experience advising clients in the government, retail, residential, health, industrial, water and energy sectors. She advises on environmental and planning approvals, liabilities, and statutory regulation for major infrastructure, property developments and commercial transactions. A significant component of her practice involves working with clients ...

Julius Skinner is one of Western Australia’s leading planning and environment lawyers, advising clients throughout all stages of the planning and environmental approval processes. He has acted for clients across all industry sectors in respect of planning & subdivision approvals, environmental permits, Works Approvals & Licences, land acquisition & compensation, heritage, contaminated sites and all forms of regulatory compliance. He has conducted numerous State Administrativ...