James Kearney

Shannon Schwarz is an experienced construction lawyer with a practice focused on building, infrastructure, engineering and other major projects. He has acted for principals, developers, head contractors, subcontractors, engineers, consultants, architects, government departments, manufacturers and suppliers. Shannon provides advice to clients in relation to contract preparation, negotiation and management, including procurement processes and risk management strategies. Shannon also regularly a...

Geoff acts for major contractors, developers, property owners and government agencies in South Australia and nationally. Clients include ASX-listed companies, large construction businesses and government principals engaged in commercial, industrial and infrastructure projects. Geoff advises on front-end construction contracting and the full range of building and construction disputes. His practice covers security of payment claims, variation and time-related claims, defect disputes and profes...

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...

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.

Joshua Pascale is an Associate Director in Cowell Clarke’s Tax & Revenue, Superannuation and Agribusiness teams, specialising in capital gains tax, goods and services tax, superannuation law and succession planning. Josh takes a practical and commercial approach in advising property and business owners on a wide range of Federal and State tax law issues, as well as the pertinent superannuation and commercial law matters specific to their circumstances. He has developed a particular ...

Chris practises in a diverse range of property law, with a strong focus on major commercial acquisitions and leasing as well as renewable energy and infrastructure projects. Chris regularly acts for vendors, purchasers, landlords, tenants and developers. He has expertise in the preparation of numerous property documents with varying levels of complexity including contracts for sale, leases, easements, encumbrances, land divisions and caveats. He also regularly undertakes property related due ...

Paul is a partner in the Tax team and has a broad range of experience in providing specialist taxation and commercial advice to a wide variety of clients. His broad base of clients includes legal and accounting firms, private and listed companies, high net worth individuals, and private equity funds. Paul advises on all areas of Federal and State taxation law and related commercial matters. Paul has experience advising across a range of sectors including transport, mining, property sale and d...

With more than 35 years’ experience in property law, Richard has advised on matters from major CBD property acquisition and Commonwealth property interests to large scale community title residential development and joint venture property developments. He has extensive experience in advising Commonwealth, state and local government in commercial property related matters and has acted for multiple Councils in property sales and developments. He is also the Honorary Solicitor for the South...

Andrew Bullock is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Alternative Dispute Resolution. Andrew, who practices law in Adelaide, Australia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Andrew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Brett Cowell is a founding partner and the Chairman of Cowell Clarke and is a Director of the firm’s Corporate and Commercial team. Brett’s passion for science, technology, and innovation has enabled him to support corporate and business clients in growing and protecting their tangible and intellectual property assets. Brett has very broad-based experience, with a particular interest in advanced manufacturing, defence, ICT, life sciences and technology businesses on a national and...