Team Category: Legal

Thomas has a strong background in Property and Commercial matters having worked previously at the Queensland Land Titles Registry and in general practice. His experience provides him with a strong understanding of the legislative framework that governs land and resources law in Queensland. Currently Thomas’s work involves representing Landholders, focussing on coal seam gas and renewables. He works in conjunction with the firm’s Directors on a range of matters including Alternative Arrangement Agreements, Conduct and Compensation Agreements and Windfarm / Solar Access Agreements and Leases. Thomas also has experience working for developers of greenfield residential sites and undertaking large scale property transactions including petrol stations, fast food franchises, telecommunication…

Michelle 's legal career follows a successful first career as a veterinary nurse and veterinary business manager. Her work with native wildlife and involvement in fauna-related research projects piqued her interest in environmental law, land use regulation and planning law. Prior to joining P & E Law, Michelle practised in the areas of property, leasing, conveyancing and commercial law, developing experience in land use, zoning and statutory frameworks relevant to development and business operations. Her background in commercial and property law supports her work in planning and environment matters involving regulatory compliance, land use requirements, and statutory and policy interpretation. Michelle has experience facilitating commercial transactions from offer to settlement, including…

Anna provides specialist advice in relation to various local, state and federal environment and planning assessment, approval and regulatory processes, environmental enforcement and compliance, contaminated land, vegetation, water and other natural resource matters. Her familiarity with development, planning and environmental issues and licencing and approval requirements is particularly beneficial in advising clients to help them achieve project delivery. Spanning projects varying from airport expansions, port development to renewable energy projects, Anna has extensive experience working on major project planning and approval pathways, project agreements, climate change, ESG, biodiversity, heritage, land contamination and remediation, along with environmental compliance. Anna has…

Jared brings over ten years of experience in various roles at the Federal Court of Australia, where he developed a deep understanding of legal processes and court operations. Jared’s professional focus is grounded in a strong commitment to equitable access to justice, with a particular passion for working alongside First Nations clients. His work is underpinned by integrity, purpose, and a genuine dedication to supporting positive outcomes. Jared works closely with David Knobel and Matt Patterson in the native title practice area. Outside of work, Jared enjoys participating in a wide range of sports and spending time outdoors camping.

As a recent solicitor, Miad has experience working on native title claims and advising on future acts. Miad has also worked on advising, drafting and negotiating a number of cultural heritage management plans (CHMPs) and agreements, including whole of country CHMPs, and has also worked on Indigenous Land Use Agreements. This has included for major infrastructure developments such as motorways, water and sewage capital works, transmission lines, social housing, industrial zones and expansion of marine and health precincts. Having worked both overseas and in Australia with various government agencies, not-for-profit and aid organisations, Miad has been committed to working with individuals and communities to achieve just outcomes and aims to continue this work as a solicitor. Outside of…

Prior to joining P&E Law, John was a Special Counsel in the Native Title and Resources Team at Queensland Crown Law.  John has also worked in the private legal sector in top and mid-tier firms. Previous to his career as a lawyer, John was a geologist/geophysicist working in mining and exploration projects throughout Australia and overseas, and as a result has first-hand knowledge of the workings of the resources sector. John is highly experienced in the negotiation and delivery of projects which have complex native title and cultural heritage requirements.  This has included major infrastructure developments such as motorways, railways, schools, hospitals, stadiums and housing subdivisions.  John has been involved in several complex commercial and corporate matters relating to large-scale…

Olivia was admitted to practice in 2022 and undertook workplace training at the Federal Court with the Native Title team before joining P&E Law in 2023. Olivia has a passion for Native Title law and is dedicated to working with our Indigenous clients, ensuring those communities are recognised across Australia. In recognition of Olivia's hard work, she has been recognised by Doyles Guide as a Native Title Rising Star - Australia 2026. Outside of work, Olivia enjoys kayaking, playing her ukulele and going to the beach.   Professional Honours Native Title Rising Stars, Australia, Doyle's Guide: 2025; 2026 …

Tara joined the firm as a paralegal and law clerk while undertaking her Bachelor of Laws (Hons) and Bachelor of Environmental Management at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Tara’s keen interest in planning and environment law shone through in her law honours thesis on how Australia’s environmental legislative framework works to protect the unique ecosystems on K’Gari (Fraser Island). With her pragmatic approach to problem-solving and personable nature, Tara assists landowners, developers, community groups and local government clients in navigating the complex legal issues surrounding land use and development. Tara advises and represents clients in appeals and applications to the Planning and Environment Court, land resumptions and compulsory acquisitions, environmental and…

Georgia completed a Bachelor of Laws with honours, and Bachelor of Science (majoring in ecology) at the University of the Sunshine Coast. Georgia came to the firm in 2021 whilst undertaking the honours component of her law degree, for which she decided to prepare a paper on the effectiveness of the environmental protection legislation in Queensland, drawing on case examples of recent or proposed developments across South-East Queensland. With a primary focus on planning and environment law, Georgia thrives on the practical problem solving aspects of her work. She enjoys crafting detailed advice for clients and navigating complex issues during proceedings in the Planning and Environment Court. Georgia has a particular interest, and extensive experience, in navigating the environmental…

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…

Tanya regularly appears in the Planning and Environment Court and has a particular interest in local projects involving planning and infrastructure issues. Tanya also has extensive experience in interpreting and advising on a broad range of planning and development legislation, including the Planning Act 2016 (Qld) (and the superseded planning Acts), the Local Government Act 2009 (Qld), the Building Act 1975 (Qld), the Environmental…

Andrew has a critical legal mind with up-to-the-minute knowledge of this specialised area of law. He provides clients with advice to achieve low risk, high value and timely outcomes. Andrew’s clients include developers, Councils and community interest groups. Andrew provides due diligence advice, assists with problem solving in the course of development applications and conducts appeals and applications in the Planning and Environment Court. Andrew also provides advice to Councils to assist their strategic town planning and acts in the prosecution or defence of matters under the Nature Conservation Act 1992 (Qld), Vegetation…

Matt has more than 25 years' experience in legal practice and has represented parties throughout Queensland and Australia.  Matt heads up P&E Law’s Coal Seam Gas and Mining team and has been a Director of the firm for more than 13 years. Matt has extensive experience in local, State and Commonwealth planning and environment law including the conduct of Planning and Environment Court, Federal Court and Land Court applications and appeals as well as related aspects of planning and development including renewable energy projects, land acquisition, carbon agreements, vegetation, mining, water and protected areas management. He has represented landholders on various transactions including large CSG and mining developments and related agreements including the sale of gas and water, water…

Lestar wants to be more than a “service provider” to his clients and aims to be a trusted legal advisor.  The distinction relates to the relationship Lestar prefers to have with his clients. Lestar wants to make a positive difference in the areas in which he practices.  He is passionate and considered in his approach. Lestar is recognised in Doyles and by his peers as a leading planning and environment lawyer in Queensland.  His legal strengths are his depth of knowledge within the jurisdiction, his pragmatism and his ability to think laterally to find solutions. A continuing benefit that Lestar gains from working in planning and environmental law is his interaction with numerous other consultants as part of a team to set goals to achieve outcomes for clients. For more than…

Michael’s many achievements during his legal career have included: recognition by Chambers Global as a leading lawyer in native title law, the only Queensland lawyer outside Brisbane with that recognition. Chambers states: “sources describe him as ‘a solid and very experienced practitioner’ who is notably proactive and ‘good to deal with’ ”; recognition year after year by Doyle’s Guide as a pre-eminent leading native title lawyer in the country representing traditional owners and project proponents; author/editor of the Lexis Nexis Native Title Service’s chapter on Indigenous Land Use Agreements; providing legal advice to indigenous and commercial parties in relation to the many mining and commercial…