Madeline Simpson

Industry Sector Expertise

Madeline acts for clients across a broad range of sectors, including resources, renewable energy, major projects, infrastructure, property development, water, transport, government, the industrial sector, and insolvency practitioners appointed to companies with significant environmental risks. She also advises on climate change risk, environmental, social, and governance (ESG) obligations, and cultural heritage obligations.

Clients

Coronado, Intergen, Futura Resources, Ballymore, M Resources, Metro Mining, Batchfire, Peabody, and Ravenswood Gold

Practice Areas

Madeline is a leading Queensland environmental lawyer with over 25 years’ experience. She excels in achieving practical and commercial outcomes for her clients and is an expert in managing risks associated with environmental issues. Her practice encompasses environmental and climate law reform, energy transition, and the Commonwealth Government's Nature Positive commitment. She also provides strategic advice on planning and environmental approvals pathways, environmental impact assessments, biodiversity and carbon offsets, environmental compliance, enforcement and incident response, environmental liability risk transfer, contaminated land including emerging contaminants such as PFAS and carbon projects, including carbon capture, storage, and regeneration.

Career

Madeline has an extensive background in commercial litigation, where she practised for over 8 years before focusing on environmental law. She has represented clients in various legal forums, including Land Court and Planning and Environment Court proceedings, demonstrating her expertise in defending environmental prosecutions. Madeline is also committed to mentoring junior lawyers in the field, contributing to the development of the next generation of legal professionals.

Professional Memberships

Law Society of Queensland.

Publications

From clean-up to compliance – new amendments to the contaminated land provisions, Introducing the Environmental Enforcement Order: A new compliance tool, Changes to the forced EA amendment process, and Environmental protections strengthened with new Powers and Penalties Bill.

Education