Matthew Allan

Loretta has primary responsibility for key client relationships with a particular focus on understanding their commercial objectives and ensuring the firm delivers practical, timely and effective outcomes. She has been a Partner of the firm since 1998 and was elected Chair of the Board of Partners in 2007. Loretta has worked closely with Chief Executive Partner Adrian Tembel in the development of the firm over a long period, including its growth from a South Australian firm into one of Austra...

Matthew Fuss is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation. Matthew, 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 Matthew is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Matthew acts for a broad range of clients including ASX-listed medical device manufacturers, mining and energy companies, ad agencies, media companies, ISPs, telecommunications carriers, cosmetics companies, credit providers, software developers, transport and logistics providers, wine producers, franchisors (in retail, food, hospitality, agribusiness and motor vehicle sectors), health, biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies, and technology startups. He has managed the trade mark portfoli...

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.

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...

Kieren Chester is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Commercial Law, Leasing Law and Real Property Law. Kieren, 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 Kieren is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Michael has 30 years' experience in property law, and is considered to be one of the leading property lawyers in Australia. Michael advises across a comprehensive range of property issues and transactions including property sales, acquisitions and developments, due diligence for strategic acquisitions, shopping centre expansions and redevelopments, joint ventures and leasing of all types. He works with clients in the commercial, retail and industrial property sectors. Michael regularly presen...

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...

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...

I am 62 years old (or so I’m told). I graduated in April 1986 from the University of Adelaide with a Bachelor of Economics (Accounting) and a Bachelor of Laws (Honours). My Honours supervisor was John Bradsen (now, Bradman). Later that same year, I completed my Graduate Diploma in Legal Studies, then recently introduced as a substitute for Articles. I have since completed a Master of Laws (1996) . My dissertation supervisor was Emeritus Professor Andrew Ligertwood and the marker was Kev...