Best Lawyers in Australia for Planning and Environmental Law
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...
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...
Stuart Simington is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Land Use and Zoning Law and Planning and Environmental Law. Stuart practices law in Sydney, Australia Best Lawyers has recognized Stuart Simington since 2021. 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 Stuart Simington is held by other lawyers.
Megan Hawley is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice areas of Land Use and Zoning Law and Planning and Environmental Law. Megan practices law in Sydney, Australia Best Lawyers has recognized Megan Hawley since 2021. 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 Megan Hawley is held by other lawyers.
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...
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...
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...
Anna Sinclair is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Planning and Environmental Law. Anna practices law in Sydney, Australia Best Lawyers has recognized Anna Sinclair since 2027. 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 Anna Sinclair is held by other lawyers.
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...
Matt Harker is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Planning and Environmental Law. Matt practices law in Sydney, Australia Best Lawyers has recognized Matt Harker since 2026. 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 Matt Harker is held by other lawyers.
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 lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Planning and Environmental Law. Katherine practices law in Sydney, Australia Best Lawyers has recognized Katherine Mortimer since 2026. 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 Katherine Mortimer is held by other lawyers.
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.
