James McNicol Smith

John is a founding Partner of Coghlan Duffy. He has a broad commercial practice with a focus on serving entrepreneurial clients through incorporation, investment rounds and exit transactions. John also has considerable experience in venture capital, private M&A, and general corporate and commercial matters.

Tim Robinson is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Family Law. Tim, who practices law in Box Hill, Australia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Tim is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Jane has been a practising solicitor for over 20 years specialising in Real Estate law with a focus on leasing in the commercial, retail, industrial, education and government sectors in all Australian jurisdictions. Jane has a focus on corporate occupier work, acting for commercial tenants in major lease transactions including head office relocations, purpose built industrial premises, distribution centres and data centres. Jane has also managed high volume lease portfolios for retail tenants...

David is a litigation and commercial lawyer with more than 20 years of experience. Hispractice is focused on complex commercial and contractual disputes in various Australian jurisdictions as well as providing his clients with general commercial and business advice. He has wide-ranging experience across many industries, including real estate, energy & resources (including renewable energy), manufacturing and construction, and IT. His experience has been built on being fortunate enough to ...

Shaun has worked in the infrastructure and finance sector for 14 years and specialises in new economy transactions revolving around social and economic infrastructure, technology and impact investment. His recent experience includes advising on the delivery and funding of various social and affordable housing projects, built-to-rent projects, specialist disability accommodation projects, hospital and healthcare projects, childcare facilities and technology platforms integrating with these sec...

Valerie Da Gama Pereira is Principal Lawyer of Da Gama Pereira & Associates P/L. She is an Accredited Immigration Law Specialist Profile Chair - June 2021 to June 2023 - Law Council of Australia – Immigration Section Head of the firm Da Gama Pereira & Associates P/L· Accredited Specialist in Australian Immigration Law (LIV)· Ex Deputy Chair of Administrative Law and Human Rights Committee, Law Institute of Victoria Ex Chair of the Migration Law Committee, Law Insti...

Sarah is a dynamic problem-solver, with a strong record of success in securing skilled visas across all industries and occupations. She has specialist knowledge and experience in labour agreements and strategic advice in workforce planning and employer sponsored migration policy, with significant advisory experience in compliance and audits. Sarah has skillfully represented employers who are subject to monitoring or sanctions by the Department of Home Affairs. Sarah supports the Visa Executiv...

David acts for listed and private companies across technology, retail, professional services, telecommunications and other sectors. He is especially regarded for his expertise in drafting and negotiating complex purchase price mechanisms in sale and purchase agreements. David advises on public and private M&A, equity capital markets, IPOs, takeovers and schemes of arrangement, corporate and commercial advisory and corporate governance. He also advises on Corporations Act and ASX Listing R...

Bonnie Phillips is an Accredited Family Law Specialist with the Law Institute of Victoria and has been recognised in Best Lawyers and as a Preeminent Family & Divorce Lawyer in Regional Victoria in the 2025 Doyle’s Guide. Bonnie is a Director and Principal of Coulter Legal and acts for clients in all aspects of Family Law, ranging from divorce and intricate parenting matters, through to complex and multifaceted financial matters, including multi-party international disputes. Bonnie ...

Michael is a patent attorney and principal of Davies Collison Cave where he heads up the firm’s organic chemistry/pharmaceutical group. Michael’s professional activities include drafting and prosecuting patent applications, providing patent infringement and validity advice, conducting patent oppositions, filing and prosecuting patent term extensions and providing strategic patenting advice. Michael is the Immediate Past President of the Institute of Patent and Trade Mark Attorneys...