MACDONNELLS LAW - Key Persons
Prior to joining MacDonnells Law in 2022, Aaron was a highly accomplished state and federal prosecutor, serving in both Senior and Chief Executive roles within government.
In 2019, Aaron was appointed as Queensland's inaugural independent Work Health and Safety Prosecutor, heading an independent statutory office, the Office of the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor. He was appointed by the Governor in Council for a five-year term, prosecuting work health and safety matters referred by the Office of Industrial Relations and mining safety matters referred by Resources Safety and Health Queensland.
As the Work Health and Safety Prosecutor, Aaron provided advice to those agencies, and also to the Minster for Industrial Relations, to whom he directly reported. His advice work spanned pre-brief advice and advice on prospects of conviction in novel and high-profile matters, and also legislative reform.
Through his experience in hundreds of WHS investigations and prosecutions, Aaron has developed the gold standard in advising and managing on WHS legal risks. He offers the most unique of insights and has an unrivalled ability to provide unequivocal advice to organisations, directors and officers to manage workplace risks.
Aaron is known for delivering results and for his ability to distil and solve complex problems in regulatory enforcement, including in the provision of prosecution advice and services to all levels of government.
Ben is a legal advisor to property owners, developers and State and local government bodies across Queensland.
One of the most personable people you will meet, Ben's family ties to the region and down to earth nature compliment his experience with high leverage property deals to make matters easy for his clients and facilitate great outcomes.
Ben has experience in all facets of property transactions, from assisting with the negotiation and transaction of rural property to "off the plan" development and community titles creation to local government advisory and acquisition of land matters. Working on all sides of property transactions gives Ben in-depth understanding of the challenges and desires of all stakeholders in a deal and assists in the negotiation of commercially beneficial agreements.
Joanne was born and grew up just south of Cairns and has spent her entire legal career practising in Cairns. Joanne is well-known in the Cairns legal community having recently represented the solicitors of Queensland on the legal industry's peak membership body, the Queensland Law Society and previously being the President of both the local law association, the Far North Queensland Law Association, and the local legal centre, the Cairns Community Legal Centre. She has also tutored and lectured at the local university, James Cook University.
Joanne has extensive experience in Building and Construction representing many local councils, government- owned corporations, private companies and individuals. Joanne is regularly involved with the construction industry whether it be preparing contracts, advising clients on types of contracts and risks, negotiating issues or disputes on behalf of her clients and representing clients in all manner of dispute resolution including arbitrations, expert determinations, tribunals, adjudications and Court.
Job Titles:
- SENIOR ASSOCIATE / Commercial
Kayla is a Lawyer in the MacDonnells Law state-wide commercial team, who practices predominantly in the areas of property and succession law.
Job Titles:
- Associate
- Associate / Planning and Environment
Lauren is an Associate in the MacDonnells Law Planning & Environment team, who practices predominantly in the areas of town planning and environment law and local government advisory and compliance.
During her time at MacDonnells Law, Lauren has had experience working with both private developers and local governments.
Job Titles:
- Practice Leader / Commercial
Laurie Warnick practices in the areas of commercial and succession law. Laurie has a lengthy and wide experience in dealing with acquiring, using and selling land and business assets, and in the planning and executing of the passing of these assets to the next generation.
Laurie has a straightforward and consultative approach to clients and to achieving success in their dealings, and enjoys practising in a growing vibrant Queensland.
Job Titles:
- Director / Planning and Environment
- Legal Advisor
Matthew Bryant is a legal advisor to local governments, private landowners and developers across Queensland.
He specialises in the areas of town planning and environment law, advising on all aspects of property development, environmental matters, land use, acquisition, land valuation and infrastructure charging matters. He has experience in land development as well as enforcement and prosecution advice and litigation under the Integrated Planning Act 1997, Sustainable Planning Act 2009, Planning Act 2016 and other associated State legislation. He has acted for a number of local governments in prosecutions and other regulatory compliance proceedings relating to local government and environmental offences under the Local Government Act 2009 and other local government legislation (including local laws), as well as the Environmental Protection Act 1994 and other State environmental legislation.
Matthew has held carriage of numerous Planning and Environment Court proceedings, including acting for and against appellants in respect of development application appeals, making change applications to the Court to amend existing development approvals and all other forms of declaratory relief available in the Court, including reviving lapsed approvals and extending the life of soon to lapse approvals.
Job Titles:
- SENIOR ASSOCIATE / Commercial
- Senior Associate of the Firm
Melinda Bryant is a Senior Associate of the Firm. She practices in the area of Property, Leasing and Commercial Law. Melinda has worked with private development clients, State and Local Government, Property Trusts and Financiers.
Job Titles:
- Practice Leader / Employment
- Practice Leader / Employment Law
Melinda is one of the firm's directors in the Dispute Resolution Team and is responsible for our employment law practice and complex litigation.
Melinda acts for employer clients, including large organisations and local governments in a wide range of matters including performance management, complex restructures, investigations and claims resolution. Her background in commercial litigation enables Melinda to quickly analyse complex issues, consider key risk areas and work with her clients to achieve timely outcomes.
Melinda's focus is on pragmatic solutions that help her clients run effective, productive and compliant workplaces.
Job Titles:
- Director
- Director / Commercial
As a Director at MacDonnells Law, Melissa practices in the areas of corporate and commercial law and brings a commercial and pragmatic approach to solving clients' legal problems and achieving their objectives.
Melissa has extensive experience in commercial matters and has advised private companies, public companies, not-for-profit organisations, government-owned corporations and local governments in an array of industries, working on major transactions both in Queensland and nationally. Melissa's legal experience combined with her business acumen and Board experience gives her a unique skillset to achieve results for clients.
Job Titles:
- Director / Planning and Environment
- Legal Adviser
Patrick is a legal adviser to property developers undertaking projects across the entire State of Queensland. Patrick prides himself on deeply understanding the property development space in Queensland. He has spent much time travelling across the State advising private clients and local governments on how to solve their planning and environment issues in the most simple and effective manner and ensuring the interests of all relevant stakeholders are appropriately addressed.
Patrick provides his expertise to property developers (mid and top tier as well as select sophisticated smaller private developers), fund managers, town planning and engineering consultants, government owned corporations and local governments throughout Queensland.