Chris Smailes

Paul is a Partner and the head of HopgoodGanim Lawyers' leading Resources and Energy practice in Perth. Paul advises on a wide range of transactions and issues in the project lifecycle, including resource, infrastructure and land tenure issues, corporate and commercial matters and project structuring. He has experience on financing projects, from an equity and debt perspective, having gained experience in both London and Sydney working with international lenders and equity stakeholders on M&a...

Phil is the Managing Partner of the firm’s Perth office. He has extensive experience in insurance litigation, especially in the areas of professional indemnity, product liability and public liability. Phil has acted on insurance matters since being admitted to practice in 1994. He has extensive experience and expertise in insurance litigation, especially in the areas of professional indemnity, public liability and product liability matters. Phil's experience includes: Defending complex ...

John-Paul Wilson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation. John-Paul, who practices law in Perth, Australia, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John-Paul is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Claire Hawke-Gundill is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates and Wealth Management / Succession Planning Practice. Claire, who practices law in Perth, Australia, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Claire is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Penny is a commercial disputes lawyer with more than 20 years’ experience managing high value and complex claims and disputes for a wide range of commercial and government clients.Penny has a particular focus on construction, resources and energy and oil and gas disputes. Penny has successfully advised both principals and contractors in relation to the management and resolution of major disputes including through structured negotiation, mediation, adjudication, contested superior court ...

Daniel Papalia is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Leasing Law and Real Property Law. Daniel, who practices law in Leederville, Australia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Daniel is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Scott Gibson practises in the areas of mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets, corporate, reconstructions and commercial law. He has a wide range of experience in all forms of mergers and acquisitions (both public and private) as well as initial public offerings, secondary raisings and general corporate and ASX Listing Rule matters. Scott also has significant private equity and joint venture experience. Scott advises on all forms of change of control transactions, general corporate ...

Lee Panotidis is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Lee, who practices law in Perth, Australia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Lee is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

My interest in the law was ignited in a small Melbourne firm, which gave me my first “grown up” job in the mail room. Becoming a lawyer was not my plan (architecture was calling). I became fascinated in the legal process and driven to learn. Progressing from the mail room, to legal secretary, paralegal and finally (with much encouragement and support from those in my early career) a fully fledged Law Graduate from Melbourne University. My legal career has taken me to London, Melbo...