Team Category: Legal

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.

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Francis completed a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Arts at University of Sydney, and a Master of Laws (Honours) at University of New South Wales. He previously worked in building and construction law as well as civil litigation, intellectual property law and corporate law. Francis was drawn to planning and environment and native title issues because of his keen interests in the 21st century challenges of energy and energy transition, housing, environmental protection and resource extraction. Outside of work, Francis loves soccer, world politics, music and travel.

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Miad has recently been admitted to the legal profession but has prior experience studying and working in the communication and community development sector. Having worked both overseas and in Australia with various 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 work, Miad enjoys spending time in nature, reading, photography and tennis.

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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…

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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 2025. Outside of work, Olivia enjoys kayaking, playing her ukulele and going to the beach.

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Tara joined our team 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 environmental 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 landowner, developer, community group 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 development offences, and local law and regulatory matters.…

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Mellisa assists a broad range of clientele—including developers, local governments, community groups, and individuals—in navigating the complex legal issues surrounding land use and development. With a specialty in representing clients in the Planning and Environment Court and Magistrates Court, Mellisa brings a deep understanding of the multifaceted legal landscape. She is committed to staying current on legal and industry developments, which enables her to provide meaningful and practical advice tailored to her clients’ needs. Mellisa values collaboration and enjoys partnering with her peers, clients, and experts to deliver strategic, innovative, and commercial solutions. Outside of work Mellisa enjoys exploring Brisbane’s foody scene and getting into the great outdoors with friends and family.

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Georgia has completed a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Science at the University of the Sunshine Coast, majoring in ecology in her science degree.  Georgia came to the firm whilst undertaking the honours component of her law degree, which involved production of a paper on the effectiveness of various environmental protection legislation, drawing on case examples of recent developments in the area. Georgia has experience working in the areas of planning and environment, native title and cultural heritage, and renewable energy. Outside of work, Georgia enjoys playing hockey, spending time with family and friends, and taking her dog for walks along the beach.

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Cara joined our team as a work placement student in 2019, building on her prior volunteer experience with the Environmental Defenders Office. Coupled with her strong sense of justice and commitment to sustainability, Cara’s analytical and meticulous approach to legal challenges makes her a valuable asset to our practice. Cara has been recognised in Doyle’s Guide as a planning and environment law rising star. In her role, Cara assists a broad range of clientele (including developers, local governments, community groups and individuals) in navigating the complex legal issues surrounding land use and development. Cara has amassed experience in advising and acting for clients in relation to a broad range of issues, particularly in Planning and Environment Court proceedings. Cara enjoys…

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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 recognised in Chambers Asia-Pacific Guide 2025 as an up and coming lawyer for Native Title: Traditional Owners. 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,…

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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 Protection Act 1994 (Qld), the Environmental Offsets Act 2014 (Qld), the Water Act 2000 (Qld), the Water Supply (Safety and Reliability) Act 2008 (Qld), the Coastal Protection and Management Act 1995 (Qld), the Wet Tropics World Heritage Protection and Management Act 1993 (Qld), the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (Cth), the Great Barrier Reef Marine…

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Andrew has a critical legal mind with up-to-the-minute knowledge of this 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 Management Act 1999 (Qld), Planning Act 2016 (Qld) and Local Laws. In addition to the usual range of MCUs and RALs, Andrew has recently been involved in some…

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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 make…

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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…

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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 developments in Cape York and northern Australia, since the mid-1980s; established and headed the legal…

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