Lisa Tolhurst

Ann’s Vision Ann Janssen founded the firm in 2009 based on her vision to deliver first-class estate planning and administration services to clients at an accessible cost. Her reasoning was that if a law firm only focussed on this area of law, it would quickly become expert and efficient at it. This has proven to be true, and now Estate First Lawyers has become one of the largest estate planning teams of its type operating Australia wide. The firm consistently receives very high feedback...

Rachel acts for major employers in infrastructure, government, hospitality, franchising and resources sectors. Her clients include ASX-listed entities, state asset operators and major infrastructure project participants. She is based in Brisbane. Rachel advises on workplace relations litigation, WHS prosecutions, industrial disputes, regulatory compliance, enterprise agreement strategy, and immigration. She manages multi-jurisdictional industrial relations programs for major projects, advises...

Charles Sweeney is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Law, Corporate Law and Mergers and Acquisitions Law. Charles, who practices law in Brisbane, Australia, has been recognized since 2013. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Charles is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew acts for clients in energy and resources, technology, agriculture, construction and manufacturing sectors, including domestic and international corporates, private equity funds and inbound investors from the United States and Asia. He brings commercial insight from prior in-house roles across multiple sectors and board experience on ASX listed and unlisted companies. Matthew advises on mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity capital markets, private equity and corporate advisory. He...

Eugene acts for listed and private companies across energy (particularly renewable energy) and resources, mining services, agribusiness, manufacturing, private equity, financial services, technology commercialisation, property development and franchising sectors. He is experienced in international and cross-border transactions and speaks fluent Cantonese. Eugene advises on corporate finance including equity capital markets, public market floats, securities and financial services law, capital ...

Christopher O'Connor is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. Christopher, who practices law in Brisbane, Australia, has been recognized since 2023. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Christopher is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

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

Deano is the managing Director of Simonidis Steel lawyers. From the commencement of operations in 2001, Deano has expanded the firm to the Gold Coast and more recently to Brisbane’s Northside to cater for a growing clientele. Practicing Family Law for 26 years, Deano has been Accredited by the Queensland Law Society as a Family Law Specialist due to both his experience and credentials in the field. It is no surprise that the hard work of Deano and the firm collectively were recognised b...

Hayden acts for well-known software vendors, organisations undertaking complex technology projects, Federal and State government agencies, and clients across fintech, defence-tech, medtech and artificial intelligence. He also advises clients in regulated industries including health and aged care, education and financial services on technology, privacy and security risks. He holds law and IT qualifications. Hayden advises on complex IP and technology transactions, ICT procurement (including un...

Chris acts for ASX-listed companies, family offices, private and institutional developers and investors, property syndicators, government instrumentalities, banks and financial institutions, and consultants to the real estate industry. He also acts for aged care and retirement living clients in capital transactions and development matters as part of the firm’s national health and aged care team. Chris advises on all aspects of real estate investment and development, with over 35 years o...