Benjamin Gardiner KC

Emma Donaghue is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Banking and Finance Law, Funds Management and Investment Funds. Emma, 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 Emma is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

James is Partner in our Planning and Environment practices with a reputation for exceptional advice across the areas of planning and development approvals, planning litigation and dispute resolution, infrastructure, land valuation and the compulsory acquisition or resumption of land. James has over 20 years’ experience advising developers, local government and State government authorities on all aspects of front-end and litigious planning and environment law including for major property...

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 ...

Bridget Wall is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law, Legal Malpractice Litigation and Professional Malpractice Litigation. Bridget, who practices law in Brisbane, Australia, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Bridget is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Wendy brings more than 25 years of experience in the development industry, first as a town planner and later as a planning and environment lawyer. She advises developers, government agencies and resource sector clients on complex planning and infrastructure matters, with expertise spanning planning litigation, statutory and strategic planning, infrastructure planning and agreements, and cultural heritage. Wendy is recognised for her ability to deliver exceptional planning outcomes through str...

Loan Chow provides a personalised approach to her clients' estate planning needs and offers the full suite of services: Wills (including Testamentary Discretionary Trust Wills), Enduring Powers of Attorney, Letters of Wishes, and Advance Health Directives. With dual degrees in Law and Psychology, Loan brings a compassionate approach to her work, particularly in navigating sensitive family dynamics such as intergenerational wealth transfer, blended families, separation and divorce, and estrang...

Kim is a Special Counsel who practices in all areas of banking and finance law with a focus on corporate and business finance. Kim provides strategic and practical advice on a range of project documentation, including finance documents, charges and mortgages, and also advises parties receiving finance. Kim has experience undertaking due diligence for a variety of lenders who provide commercial loans. He also advises clients on the impact of the Personal Property Securities Act 2009 on their b...

Annie Smeaton is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Labour and Employment Law. Annie, who practices law in Brisbane, Australia, has been recognized since 2020. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Annie is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Leeann is a Special Counsel in our Family and Relationship Law practice. Leeann practices exclusively in family and relationship law and advises clients on both matrimonial and de facto property settlements. Her experience includes advising on alternative dispute resolution (including collaborative law), child-related matters, spousal maintenance and binding financial agreements.Most recently, Leeann was named in the 12th edition of Best Lawyers, Australia for Family Law. Leeann holds qualifi...

Ann’s Vision Ann Janssen founded the firm in 2009 based on her vision to deliver first-class estate planning and administration services to clients at an accessible cost. Her reasoning was that if a law firm only focussed on this area of law, it would quickly become expert and efficient at it. This has proven to be true, and now Estate First Lawyers has become one of the largest estate planning teams of its type operating Australia wide. The firm consistently receives very high feedback...