Michael Hutton

As Managing Director of Kain Lawyers, Michael is responsible for shaping and advancing the firm’s strategic priorities. Prior to his role as Managing Director, Michael held roles as Head of Growth and Head of Corporate. Michael is an experienced corporate lawyer who has advised some of Australia’s largest corporations and investment funds on their most complex and strategically critical transactions. His practice includes advising on mergers and acquisitions, capital raises, alter...

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.

David litigates, manages and resolves disputes for a wide range of Australian and international clients in all Australian jurisdictions. Practising primarily in complex corporate, commercial and regulatory matters, David’s expertise extends to practice in corporations law, intellectual property, competition and consumer law, franchising, agribusiness and education. Inducted as a Distinguished Fellow of the International Academy of Mediators in May 2014, David has been an accredited medi...

Josh is an intellectual property and competition law specialist. Josh’s practice encompasses all aspects of the creation, acquisition, commercialisation, management, protection, and enforcement of intellectual property rights. He is widely recognised for his expertise in intellectual property commercialisation, including negotiation and implementation of complex multi-jurisdictional licensing arrangements. He also acts for clients in litigation to enforce intellectual property rights, i...

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

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...

Peter is a principal in the firm's transactions team and is a specialist in real estate, construction and infrastructure law. He regularly leads projects involving: capital acquisitions and disposals of land; front end construction matters; real estate developments (including front end planning matters); real estate and construction financing; and leasing. He has acted for leading Australian and international funds, investors and developers in connection with their real estate acquisitions an...

Tom is a Principal in the firm’s disputes practice. Tom joined DMAW Lawyers in April 2007 as a senior associate, following previous roles at Clifford Chance in London and Hicksons Lawyers in Sydney where he acted in major litigation matters. Tom specialises in commercial disputes. He has acted in a full spectrum of complex commercial litigation, construction, superannuation, transport and trade matters. Tom's experience includes advising and representing a variety of clients, ranging fr...

Matthew has specialised in technology and corporate and commercial law since joining the firm in 2001. He is regularly retained to act on information technology, intellectual property, medical and biotechnology, franchising, competition and consumer, and privacy law matters. Matthew has a particular interest in the commercialisation and procurement of all kinds of technology and focuses on non-contentious commercial and transactional work. He also has broad-based experience in the effective n...

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...