David Knobel
David is a Director of the firm based in our Maroochydore office. Davids' career trajectory with P & E Law started as a law clerk straight out of university and moved quickly through the ranks to the role of Director as his talent and commitment was acknowledged. Davids' specialisation is in the practice areas of native title and Indigenous cultural heritage, mining and coal seam gas.
David advises native title claim groups, Aboriginal corporations and land trusts in native title determination applications, land tenure, land use, future acts, cultural heritage and economic development including resource extraction.
Doyle’s Guide have recognised David as a leading native title lawyer in the country. He has also been ranked in Chambers Asia-Pacific Guide as a recognised lawyer under the Native Title: Traditional Owners category for 2024, 2025 and 2026.
David has always had a keen interest in this area of law and was awarded a First Class Honours for his thesis on the Timber Creek compensation case.
David loves helping clients through complex negotiations and the challenge of finding exactly the right word to suit the situation.
In his spare time David loves reading, writing and performing poetry and spending time with his family.
Professional Honours
- Leading Native Title Lawyers (Traditional Owner Representation), Queensland, Doyle’s Guide: 2024 to 2026.
- Native Title Rising Stars, Australia, Doyle’s Guide: 2020; 2021; 2023
Experience
- Advising native title claimants and Aboriginal parties on native title and cultural heritage matters under the Native Title Act 1993 (Cth) and Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003 (Qld), including drafting native title claims and advising on Cultural Heritage Management Plans.
- Advising land owners in relation to Conduct and Compensation Agreements and land access matters under the Mineral and Energy Resources (Common Provisions) Act 2014 (Qld) and Mineral Resources Act 1989 (Qld).
- Advising landholders in relation to environmental law issues relating to groundwater, impacted water bores and “make good” arrangements under the Water Act 2000 (Qld).
- Advising land owners in relation to environmental law issues relating to land rehabilitation, noise and dust nuisance and vegetation management under the Environmental Protection Act 1994 (Qld), Vegetation Management Act 1999 (Qld) and the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Qld).
- Advising clients in land resumption matters under the Acquisition of Land Act 1967 (Qld).
- Advising on matters relating to the Sustainable Planning Act 2009 (Qld) and Planning Act 2016 (Qld), including use categorisation, development assessment criteria, lapsing, minor changes, lawfulness of conditions and development offences.