Property
We know that navigating government and regulatory regimes requires not only legal knowledge but also a deep understanding of the operations of Government, and the legislative and policy frameworks in which Government operates. We offer a solution focused approach which cuts through complexity to achieve objectives and outcomes. Our Government Team has extensive experience in this area, and works closely with our colleagues at TG Public Affairs when a greater insight into the political landscape is beneficial to our clients.
Our aim is to work collaboratively wherever possible, whether we are acting for Government or non-government entities, applying the relationships and experience we have accumulated over many years of providing commercial and pragmatic advice. But if disputes arise, or an impasse is reached, we are able to call upon our strong litigation and alternative dispute resolution practice for support.
We provide advice and assistance on matters including major project work, the operation of legislation, regulations and powers, legislative lobbying, Government reform and privatisation, public-private partnerships, joint ventures, statutory interpretation, and administrative law.
Our clients include government corporations, statutory authorities, state and federal government departments, local councils, private sector tenderers, developers, and financiers. We are on the government legal panels for the Commonwealth, Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and South Australia governments. We are also on the legal panel for Western Australia government agency Development WA.
Administrative law
Robust and defensible administrative decision-making is vital for the operations of Government. Our team includes former Government legal experts who are uniquely qualified to advise on all aspects of Government decision-making, including procedural fairness, the operation of delegations and authorisations, and interpretation of the complex statutory legislation under which decisions are made. We also assist with merits review and judicial review challenges across various regulatory frameworks, including FOI and privacy regimes.
We have a deep understanding of the broader policy and political environment in which Government decisions are made and provide pragmatic and strategic advice to our government clients to balance their legal duties and risks in this environment.
Major projects
From building major infrastructure to the provision of key services, governments at all levels require legal expertise to ensure the seamless delivery of key projects. Our lawyers provide expert legal advice and assistance on complex and strategic Government projects including privatisation of government-owned assets and services, corporatisation projects, transformation and reform of service delivery, infrastructure and construction projects, and PPPs.
We provide support across the full lifecycle of major projects, from commencement of project planning, through the procurement process, contract development and execution, and post-implementation phases.
With our deep understanding of the legal and policy framework which applies to Government activities and to procurement processes, our team is well placed to support both Government and the private sector to successfully deliver Government's strategic and political priorities. We understand the policy considerations which arise, including stakeholder management (both internal and external) political sensitivities, reputational risks and requirement for internal government approval processes.
Governance
Government must meet the highest standards of governance and compliance across the breadth of its activities to ensure public confidence in the public sector is maintained. We support government agencies and authorities to manage governance, compliance and risk in a robust and defensible way to ensure they meet their accountability obligations.
We work with all levels of Government to ensure appropriate governance arrangements are in place and implemented, including establishing and reviewing Governance schedules which capture all statutory obligations, ensuring record keeping practices are in place that meet applicable regulatory requirements and working with Government to establish appropriate delegation schedules.
Our lawyers are also well-versed in the legal and ethical obligations that apply where there is a conflict or potential conflict between a government official's public duties and personal interests. We can provide guidance on managing conflicts to ensure that public confidence in the integrity of Government is maintained.
Legislative requirements
Business activity is increasingly intersecting with legislation passed by federal and State Governments to regulate elements of that activity.
Our team has extensive experience in navigating and interpreting complex legislation and determining its meaning, application and impact on clients. We take pride in our ability to cut through the complexity and provide clear, pragmatic advice which enables our clients to comply with the statutory overlay applicable to their industry or activity.
We can also assist with engaging with regulators, including submitting applications and responding to inquiries. This includes our significant experience with freedom of information requests and liaison with the OAIC in relation to data security and privacy.
Procurement and contracts
With our deep understanding of the legal and policy framework around government procurement processes, our team advises on navigating procurement requirements, including the process and probity obligations that apply.
Our team has extensive experience in drafting documents for all stages of the procurement processes, including preparing tender responses, drafting transaction contracts, and drafting other project documentation.
When acting for private side, we ensure that our clients' tender responses are compliant and that we maximise our clients' success while minimising risks. When acting for Government, we understand the unique challenges and opportunities which arise in the delivery of major transformation projects, and have significant experience in assisting Government both in the delivery and implementation phases.
We assist clients with negotiations and disputes related to commercial and contractual arrangements.
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Built around principle of quality and value.
Craig Tidemann
David Beer
Fraser Bell
Franco Aversa
Geoff Brennan
Hannah Sowdon
Jack Fan
Jodi Walkom
Josh Simons
Julius Skinner
Lauren Townsend
Loretta Reynolds
Simon Ralton
Sylvia Fernandez
Tony Saint
Mark Feetham
Chris O’Shea
Adam Wallwork
Adrian Wong
Joanna Ling
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About us
Thomson Geer acknowledges the Traditional Custodians of Country throughout Australia and their connections to land, sea and community. We pay our respect to their Elders past and present and extend that respect to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples today.