Michael Brennan

Sarah acts for Commonwealth Government departments and agencies on procurement, contracting and governance matters. Her client base is primarily the Commonwealth and Commonwealth entities, with a particular focus on defence procurement and capital equipment acquisition. Sarah advises on procurement activities for aviation, land vehicle and maritime assets, governance matters for statutory corporations, contract negotiations, competitive tendering processes and privatisations. She leads contra...

Steve advises departments of the Commonwealth Government, most notably the Department of Defence, on procurement, contracting and construction matters. He acts for both government agencies and private sector clients participating in government procurement. Steve advises on all aspects of procurement and construction projects including: strategic advice, acquisition strategies, risk analysis, drafting and negotiating contract and tender documentation, contract administration, IT contracts, ris...

Elissa acts for Commonwealth government agencies and entities, universities and private sector organisations on employment, workplace relations and safety matters. Her focus is public sector employment and workplace relations. Elissa advises on enterprise bargaining (including drafting, strategy, industrial action and approval challenges), employment litigation (general protections, unfair dismissal, discrimination and bullying), workforce planning and reform, misconduct and underperformance ...

John Wilson is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Labour and Employment Law. John practices law in Canberra, Australia Best Lawyers has recognized John Wilson since 2013. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which John Wilson is held by other lawyers.

Melanie acts for Commonwealth government agencies, statutory entities and corporate clients. Melanie's clients operate across the full spectrum of Commonwealth activity. Her clients include Comcover, ATO and Departments including Finance, Defence, Home Affairs, Industry, Attorney-General's and Agriculture. Melanie joined Thomsons in July 2025 as part of the transition of the one of Australia’s premier Commonwealth government practices. Melanie’s practice spans litigation, dispute ...

As Legal Director of the Planning, Environment and Local Government team Alice provides skilled and professional advice and representation for local government and private clients on a wide range of NSW and ACT planning, environmental and administrative law matters. Alice is a pragmatic and practical problem solver who works in partnership with her clients to deliver ‘on ground’ results. She enjoys providing strategic advice on how best to achieve her client’s goals, and spe...

Matthew has over 18 years experience in insurance litigation and specialises in defending state statutory class and common law claims arising in the challenging Australian Capital Territory jurisdiction. He regularly assists insurers and self-insurers to liaise with the ACT regulator on issues concerning the ACT scheme. Matthew is highly experienced in the defence of state statutory classes litigation and uses his knowledge to assist clients with strategic claims management in order to achiev...

Mark has practised the full spectrum of business and corporate law for more than 34 years. He is one of the firm’s founding name Directors and is a NSW Law Society Accredited Specialist in Business Law. His practice concentrates on the areas of contract and commercial law, contract negotiation and drafting, as well as enforcement and compliance strategies. His practice has involved all manner of business-related matters, ranging from advising on the placement of high-end Cray computers ...

Lauren Armstrong is a lawyer recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area of Insurance Law. Lauren practices law in Canberra, Australia Best Lawyers has recognized Lauren Armstrong since 2027. The Best Lawyers recognition is based on a peer-review survey of lawyers in the same geographic region and legal practice area. The recognition reflects the professional regard in which Lauren Armstrong is held by other lawyers.

John acts for insolvency practitioners, banks, non-bank lenders, business owners, directors and the Commonwealth Government. Clients span domestic and international proceedings, including matters involving cross-border asset recovery and contested priority disputes under the Corporations Act. John specialises in commercial disputes, corporate and personal insolvency, shareholder disputes and professional indemnity insurance. His practice covers liquidator and trustee claims, including unfair ...