Damien Brazel

As Legal Director of the Planning, Environment and Local Government team Alice provides skilled and professional advice and representation for local government and private clients on a wide range of NSW and ACT planning, environmental and administrative law matters. Alice is a pragmatic and practical problem solver who works in partnership with her clients to deliver ‘on ground’ results. She enjoys providing strategic advice on how best to achieve her client’s goals, and spe...

https://www.thelawyermag.com/au/news/general/laugh-every-day-says-mills-oakley-partner/228601 Bernice has a broad-ranging commercial-disputes practice, but her specialities are insolvency and debt recovery, shareholder disputes, and building and construction disputes. She is sought out for her sound technical advice, along with her straight-talking and commercially pragmatic approach to protecting the interests of her clients. Bernice has been described as 'formidable and practical', 'a brigh...

Bill has been a legal practitioner for over 30 years specialising in personal injury law including motor vehicle accidents and public liability, workers compensation, medical and dental negligence, and historical child sexual abuse cases. His practice also includes commercial litigation in the ACT courts involving insurance and professional indemnity issues, building and contract disputes, and employment matters. Bill’s straightforward manner complements his extensive experience and kno...

Catherine Coles is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Catherine, who practices law in Canberra, Australia, has been recognized since 2024. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Catherine is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Nevin is a dispute resolution expert with over 30 years of legal experience. He specialises in government regulatory work and administrative decision making. He also has extensive experience in insurance backed litigation claims extending from professional indemnity – doctors, directors and lawyers to toxic torts, public liability, personal injury, aviation incidents and coronials. Nevin’s experience with government clients has provided him with insight to the various stakeholders...

Matthew has over 18 years experience in insurance litigation and specialises in defending state statutory class and common law claims arising in the challenging Australian Capital Territory jurisdiction. He regularly assists insurers and self-insurers to liaise with the ACT regulator on issues concerning the ACT scheme. Matthew is highly experienced in the defence of state statutory classes litigation and uses his knowledge to assist clients with strategic claims management in order to achiev...

Sarah acts for Commonwealth Government agencies and private sector clients on defence and national security matters, export control and regulation, and government procurement. She is part of the firm’s defence and national security practice. Sarah advises on defence and national security legal frameworks, export control obligations under the Defence Trade Controls Act and associated legislation, and government procurement. Her practice spans the legal architecture governing Australia&rs...

Mark has practised the full spectrum of business and corporate law for more than 34 years. He is one of the firm’s founding name Directors and is a NSW Law Society Accredited Specialist in Business Law. His practice concentrates on the areas of contract and commercial law, contract negotiation and drafting, as well as enforcement and compliance strategies. His practice has involved all manner of business-related matters, ranging from advising on the placement of high-end Cray computers ...

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

Melanie acts for Commonwealth government agencies, statutory entities and corporate clients. Melanie's clients operate across the full spectrum of Commonwealth activity. Her clients include Comcover, ATO and Departments including Finance, Defence, Home Affairs, Industry, Attorney-General's and Agriculture. Melanie joined Thomsons in July 2025 as part of the transition of the one of Australia’s premier Commonwealth government practices. Melanie’s practice spans litigation, dispute ...