Cheryl Phillips

Natalie Abela is a director in Cowell Clarke’s Dispute Resolution team, and also leads our Estate Administration and Insurance teams. Natalie practices predominantly in commercial litigation, with specialist expertise across corporate and personal insolvency, business and contract dispute resolution, probate and estate dispute resolution and defamation law. Having had significant experience in complex litigious matters for both national and international clients, Natalie also has a focu...

Bridget acts for employers across a range of industries on all aspects of employment, workers compensation and work health and safety law. She advises clients in all states and territories. Bridget prepares and reviews and drafts employment contracts and workplace policies, assists with modern award compliance and interpretation and enterprise agreement negotiation and approval, and advises on workplace investigations and employee exits. Bridget also has expertise in advising on employment la...

Sam McGrath leads the Employment and Industrial Relations team at Cowell Clarke. Sam’s primary focus is in the area of employment and industrial relations law, where he provides advice and representation to corporate and business employers. With broad-based experience in litigation, Sam brings a unique background and astute insight to his specialisation in employment law. In 2017 Sam was appointed by the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption (ICAC) as principal solicitor assisting...

Tim Donlan is the founding partner of the boutique South Australian private client law firm Donlan Lawyers. Donlan Lawyers has offices in Adelaide and in Victor Harbor in South Australia. Tim is recognised in Best Lawyers for his practice in Trusts and Estates and Wealth Management and Succession Planning. Tim practices primarily in the areas of wills and estate planning. He specialises in complex estate planning including trust establishment and succession, wills incorporating testamentary t...

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...

Stephen advises major domestic and international corporations, including major automotive companies, infrastructure operators and franchise networks. Clients include Mitsubishi Motors Australia, Acciona and the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC), for which Stephen is the firm’s principal liaison partner. He has served as a member of client compliance and safety committees at board level. Stephen’s practice covers large and complex commercial disputes, competitio...

Toya Nguyen is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation. Toya, who practices law in Adelaide, Australia, has been recognized since 2027. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Toya is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew acts for a broad range of clients including ASX-listed medical device manufacturers, mining and energy companies, ad agencies, media companies, ISPs, telecommunications carriers, cosmetics companies, credit providers, software developers, transport and logistics providers, wine producers, franchisors (in retail, food, hospitality, agribusiness and motor vehicle sectors), health, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, and technology startups. He has managed the trade mark portfoli...

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

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.