Best Lawyers in Australia for Planning and Environmental Law
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Gemma Chadwick is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Land Use and Zoning Law and Planning and Environmental Law. Gemma, who practices law in Brisbane, Australia, has been recognized since 2022. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Gemma is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Rory has over 10 years’ experience in planning and environmental law and was recognised in 2016 as a “Rising Star” in Planning and Environment, and again in 2018 as a Recommended Town Planning & Development Lawyer in the Doyle’s Guide to the Australian Legal Profession . Rory has a focus on major projects and infrastructure and large scale infill and growth area development projects. He has experience in development approvals across a broad scale, compulsory land a...
Julius is a Partner in the National Property and Development team, based in Perth. He acts for property developers, resources and mining companies, waste and recycling operators, retailers, tourism operators and local governments across Western Australia on planning, environmental and local government matters. His practice spans planning and subdivision approvals, environmental permits, Works Approvals and Licences, land acquisition and compensation, heritage, contaminated sites and regulator...
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.
Aaron Shrimpton is a top attorney recognised by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Planning and Environmental Law. Aaron, who practices law in Geelong, Australia, has been recognised since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Aaron is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Katherine Mortimer is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Planning and Environmental Law. Katherine, who practices law in Sydney, Australia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Katherine is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Brin is a leading junior barrister with wide ranging expertise in crime, regulatory proceedings, inquiries and professional disciplinary proceedings. Her clients have included major corporations and executives, federal and state government agencies and directors of prosecutions, professionals and their insurers. Brin acts for corporations and individuals in Class 5 Land and Environment Court proceedings and is listed in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Australia for Planning and Environment Law...
Anna Sinclair is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Planning and Environmental Law. Anna, who practices law in Sydney, Australia, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Anna is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Xander Nguyen-Meachem is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Planning and Environmental Law. Xander, who practices law in Geelong, Australia, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Xander is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Matt Harker is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Planning and Environmental Law. Matt, who practices law in Sydney, Australia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Matt is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Amara is a Senior Associate in the Planning and Environment, Local Government and Public Sector Team at Harwood Andrews. Amara specialises in statutory planning, strategic planning, environment protection, heritage, and transport planning matters, and regularly acts for both public and private sector clients. Amara has legal advocacy experience in a wide range of matters before the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, Planning Panels Victoria, Advisory Committees, and the Supreme Cour...
Harrison specialises in the areas of commercial law, property law, planning and environmental law, public law, and professional negligence. He regularly appears, led and unled, in the NSW Court of Appeal, Supreme Court, and Land and Environment Court. Some of his recent appellate cases include Lahoud v Willoughby Council [2024] HCASL 287 (led by B Walker SC), Lahoud v Willoughby Council [2024] NSWCA 163 (led by A Galasso SC), Narraport Woollahra Holdings Pty Ltd v Ice Box Liquor Pty Ltd [2024...
Jessica is a NSW Law Society accredited specialist in planning and environment law, with extensive experience advising and acting for government and private clients. Jessica has built a career advising on complex environmental and planning matters, including development pathways, compulsory acquisition, contamination, and environmental controls. Jessica practices mainly in the Class 1, 3, and 5 jurisdictions of the NSW Land and Environment Court, and regularly provides expert guidance on navi...
Katharine is an environment and planning lawyer with experience in development, compliance, local government and administrative law. She acts for both public and private sector clients including the state government, local councils, developers and individuals. Katharine provides pragmatic and strategic advice on matters spanning planning and environmental law. She has carriage of a wide range of litigation in the Land and Environment Court of NSW, regularly appearing as a solicitor advocate, ...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.