James Frearson-Lea
About James Frearson-Lea
James Frearson-Lea is a lawyer based in Adelaide, AU and has been recognized in The Best Lawyers in Australia™ since 2014. James Frearson-Lea is recognized in the following practice areas:
- Adelaide, Australia
- Commercial Law
- Construction / Infrastructure Law
- Leasing Law
- Real Property Law
- Water Law
Current Firm: JFL + Smith Lawyers
Location: Adelaide, AU
It takes just a few minutes to optimize your profile for clients looking to engage and lawyers who are ready to refer.
Activate your profile and highlight why your peers recognized in Best Lawyers today.
Nearby Lawyers
Peter is a principal in the firm's transactions team and is a specialist in real estate, construction and infrastructure law. He regularly leads projects involving: capital acquisitions and disposals of land; front end construction matters; real estate developments (including front end planning matters); real estate and construction financing; and leasing. He has acted for leading Australian and international funds, investors and developers in connection with their real estate acquisitions an...
Matthew Hawke is Special Counsel in Cowell Clarke’s Building, Construction & Infrastructure and Dispute Resolution teams. Matthew has broad experience in construction advice and disputes (including construction contract drafting and advice), compulsory acquisition disputes, and the construction industry security of payment regimes across Australia. When not working in the construction space, Matthew supports clients in negotiating or litigating their general contractual, misrepresen...
Peter Leech is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Insolvency and Reorganization Law and Litigation. Peter, 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 Peter is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Tom is a Principal in the firm’s disputes practice. Tom joined DMAW Lawyers in April 2007 as a senior associate, following previous roles at Clifford Chance in London and Hicksons Lawyers in Sydney where he acted in major litigation matters. Tom specialises in commercial disputes. He has acted in a full spectrum of complex commercial litigation, construction, superannuation, transport and trade matters. Tom's experience includes advising and representing a variety of clients, ranging fr...
Jamie Watts is the leader of Cowell Clarke’s Building, Construction and Infrastructure team, bringing nearly 30 years of experience to his market leading guidance and advice. With expertise ranging from the drafting of contracts to the settlement of disputes, Jamie’s understanding of the whole construction cycle allows him to identify and minimise risk from procurement to completion. Although the avoidance of future claims and disputes is Jamie’s primary goal, he has signifi...
Daniel is a principal in the firm’s transactions practice. He acts on mergers and acquisitions , corporate and commercial matters for a broad range of business clients, including some of the largest businesses in South Australia. He works across a variety of industry sectors, including financial services , property and development , energy and resources and agribusiness . Daniel regularly leads projects involving: share, asset, business and property sales and purchases; corporate struct...
Megan Jongebloed is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Law and Franchise Law. Megan, 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 Megan is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
John Homburg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health and Aged Care Law and Insurance Law. John, who practices law in Adelaide, Australia, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Paul is a consultant for the firm’s disputes practice. Paul has extensive experience in: industrial relations and workplace law – from executive contracts and workplace agreements and policies to industrial disputes, dismissals, bullying, harassment and discrimination investigations and claims and discrimination payment claims and post termination restraints; risk management advice and the investigation and resolution of corporate, commercial and insurance issues and disputes ; ad...
Alyce Ricciardi is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law and Private Equity Law. Alyce, 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 Alyce is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.
Explore and Learn
The Family Law Loophole That Lets Sex Offenders Parent Kids
by Bryan Driscoll
Is the state's surrogacy framework putting children at risk?
Recognizing Legal Leaders: The 2027 Best Lawyers Awards in Australia, Japan and Singapore
by Jamilla Tabbara
Market drivers, diversity trends and the elite practitioners shaping the legal landscape.
Best Lawyers 2026: Discover the Honorees in Brazil, Mexico, Portugal, South Africa and Spain
by Jamilla Tabbara
A growing international network of recognized legal professionals.
Holiday Pay Explained: Federal Rules and Employer Policies
by Bryan Driscoll
Understand how paid holidays work, when employers must follow their policies and when legal guidance may be necessary.
Can a Green Card Be Revoked?
by Bryan Driscoll
Revocation requires a legal basis, notice and the chance to respond before status can be taken away.
New Texas Family Laws Transform Navigating Divorce, Custody
by Bryan Driscoll
Reforms are sweeping, philosophically distinct and designed to change the way families operate.
How Far Back Can the IRS Audit You?
by Bryan Driscoll
Clear answers on IRS statutes of limitations, recordkeeping and what to do if you are under review.
US Tariff Uncertainty Throws Canada Into Legal Purgatory
by Bryan Driscoll
The message is clear: There is no returning to pre-2025 normalcy.
The 2026 Best Lawyers Awards in Chile, Colombia and Puerto Rico
by Jamilla Tabbara
The region’s most highly regarded lawyers.
Can You File Bankruptcy on Credit Cards
by Bryan Driscoll
Understanding your options for relief from overwhelming debt.