Michael Johns

One of Australia’s leading estate planning lawyers, Bernie has over 40 years’ experience advising individuals, family groups and businesses on all aspects of estate and business succession. Often acting as advisor to prominent families, Bernie’s knowledge of family trusts, superannuation and estate and elder law enables him to provide clear, practical solutions for clients with complex family and asset structures. He is often asked to provide a second opinion on existing suc...

William Moore is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Trusts and Estates. William, who practices law in Melbourne, Australia, has been recognized since 2025. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which William is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Peter is a highly experienced commercial and finance lawyer with over 25 years’ experience. Peter was a Partner at Herbert Geer from 1998 to 2014 and was Chair of Partners from 2012 to 2014. Peter practises in the areas of corporate advisory, finance, and mergers and acquisitions. Peter has a diverse client base that includes major public companies such as Village Roadshow Limited and Westpac Banking Corporation. Peter also acts for a number of high net worth individuals and family offi...

Tim’s practice involves contentious and non-contentious intellectual property law matters, with a focus on commercialisation of intellectual property rights. Tim’s non-contentious practice includes the preparation and negotiation of commercial agreements for all intellectual property and related rights, including commercialisation, assignment, licensing and confidentiality agreements. Tim regularly advises clients on general commercial matters, consumer protection and trade practi...

Martin practices commercial law with extensive experience in contracts and commercial litigation. Martin focuses on corporate, commercial, regulatory and private clients, with particular expertise in the sports and media sectors. Martin’s clients include public and private corporations, numerous well known national and international sporting organisations, governing bodies, athletes, sponsors, agencies and high profile individuals. Martin has worked on high-profile and complex transacti...

Emma is a member of the Thomson Geer Property Group. Over the past twenty years in practice she has acquired substantial property experience. Emma has been involved in reviewing and drafting documentation for numerous landlords and tenants in large commercial leasing and property transactions. She has also been involved in substantial property due diligence for both buyers and sellers of properties and in corporate mergers and acquisitions. Recent experience includes: Acting for GeelongPort i...

Mark specialises in the construction, energy and infrastructure sectors. His experience includes drafting and negotiating a range of project delivery and procurement documentation including design and construction contracts, BOO/BOOT contracts, equipment supply agreements, operation and maintenance agreements, connection agreements, design services agreements, and other related project agreements. Mark has experience advising in relation to the contractual and regulatory issues associated wit...

Alicia is a Principal in the Dispute Resolution & Litigation Team. She is an Accredited Specialist in Commercial Litigation in Queensland and Victoria, a Nationally Accredited Mediator, graded arbitrator and has over 18 years’ experience as a lawyer. Alicia assists clients to understand the implications of the matter in which they are involved, the options available to them for resolution and works to achieve cost effective outcomes. She has acted for ASX listed companies, large pro...

Emily Payne is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Personal Injury Litigation. Emily, who practices law in Melbourne, Australia, has been recognized since 2026. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Emily is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Charles draws on over 25 years of skills, expertise and experience in workplace relations and safety law. In addition to legal practice, Charles has served as an associate to a senior deputy president of the Australian Industrial Relations Commission. In 1995 and 1996 Charles served as a Canberra-based adviser to a federal government minister. Charles gives legal advice and representation to organisations and individuals in all areas of the discipline, including: minimising legal risks associ...