Michael La Vista

John is a Special Counsel in the firm’s Insurance practice and is nationally recognised in the area of dust diseases litigation. John has over 15 years’ experience in insurance and civil litigation. John’s work involves complex legal, scientific and medical issues in the specialised field of toxic torts. He has extensive experience involving asbestos related claims, general insurance matters including property damage, negligence and motor vehicle insurance, public liability,...

Annabel West is a Special Counsel in the corporate team in Adelaide. She specialises in corporations and securities law, with a principal focus on mergers and acquisitions, private equity, capital raisings and corporate advisory work. Annabel has extensive experience in managing corporate transactions for a wide range of local and international clients in diverse industries, from listed companies, private equity funds and government owned corporations, to SMEs and not for profits. Her experie...

Richard Wood is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Construction / Infrastructure Law, Insurance Law, Legal Malpractice Litigation and Personal Injury Litigation. Richard, who practices law in Adelaide, Australia, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which Richard is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Peter Slegers leads Cowell Clarke’s Tax & Revenue and Agribusiness teams. Peter has more than twenty years’ experience in advising on tax and superannuation law, private and public trusts, succession planning, and supporting clients with reviews and audits from the Australian Taxation Office. Peter has also delivered comprehensive advice and guidance to clients within the agribusiness sector on matters from restructuring to succession planning. Peter recently co-authored The T...

James is the leader of our Public M&A and Equity Capital Markets practice. He is a current member of the Australian Takeovers Panel and has extensive experience working in top-tier corporate law firms in Australia and London. James’ experience includes leading the Kain teams advising: SILK Laser Clinics (ASX:SLA) on its proposed acquisition by Australian Pharmaceutical Industries (API) (a subsidiary of Wesfarmers (ASX:WES)) by way of scheme of arrangement for approximately $180m; Ke...

John Homburg is a top attorney recognized by Best Lawyers in the practice area(s) of Health and Aged Care Law and Insurance Law. John, who practices law in Adelaide, Australia, has been recognized since 2019. This recognition is based on an exhaustive peer-review survey, reflecting the high esteem in which John is held by other top lawyers in the same geographic and legal practice area.

Peter is a principal in the firm’s corporate practice. He provides advice on the full range of corporate transactions including capital raisings, contested and friendly takeover bids and schemes of arrangement. Peter has held numerous company secretarial roles for ASX companies and is experienced in managing the daily head office needs of small, medium and large businesses. Peter regularly leads projects involving: gas transport and marketing; acquisitions and divestments; capital marke...

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

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...

Gerry is the Co-Head of our M&A (Private) and Equity Capital Markets (Private) practices. He h as been advising on capital raising transactions, mergers and acquisitions and capital structuring for over 30 years in key financial markets including Sydney, Hong Kong and London. He is a trusted advisor to our clients. Gerry’s experience includes leading the Kain teams advising: sportsmed on the sale of their hospital to Burnside War Memorial Hospital; SILK Laser Clinics (ASX:SLA) on it...