Ranking tables
Environment & Planning | Asia-Pacific
Australia
Rankings overview for Departments
Band 1
- Ashurst 7 Years Ranked
- Clayton Utz
Band 2
Band 3
- Maddocks 6 Years Ranked
- McCullough Robertson 7 Years Ranked
- Colin Biggers & Paisley
- Lavan
Band 4
- Baker McKenzie 7 Years Ranked
- Hall & Wilcox 2 Years Ranked
- Addisons
- Beatty Hughes & Associates
- HopgoodGanim Lawyers
- HWL Ebsworth Lawyers
Senior Statespeople
Band 1
Band 2
- Bill McCredie Allens14 Years Ranked
- Christine Covington Corrs Chambers Westgarth14 Years Ranked
- Elisa de Wit Norton Rose Fulbright10 Years Ranked
- Elizabeth Wild Norton Rose Fulbright14 Years Ranked
- Felicity Rourke Allens13 Years Ranked
- Louise Camenzuli Corrs Chambers Westgarth10 Years Ranked
- Nick Brunton Norton Rose Fulbright13 Years Ranked
- Patrick Ibbotson Maddocks14 Years Ranked
- Rebecca Hoare Norton Rose Fulbright11 Years Ranked
- Simon Ball MinterEllison9 Years Ranked
- Andrew BeattyBeatty Hughes & Associates
- Brendan BatemanClayton Utz
- Claire SmithClayton Utz
- Leanne BowieLeanne Bowie Lawyers
- Sallyanne EverettClayton Utz
Band 3
- Jillian Button Allens5 Years Ranked
- Kathryn Pacey Herbert Smith Freehills6 Years Ranked
- Rebecca Dixon Ashurst5 Years Ranked
- Sally Macindoe Norton Rose Fulbright14 Years Ranked
- Tamara Brezzi Norton Rose Fulbright5 Years Ranked
- Tim Hanmore MinterEllison10 Years Ranked
- Craig WallaceLavan
- Ian WrightColin Biggers & Paisley
- Mark BeaufoyKing & Wood Mallesons
- Michael CauserKing & Wood Mallesons
- Nick ThomasClayton Utz
- Sally AudeyevKing & Wood Mallesons
Band 4
- Anthony Whealy Mills Oakley1 Years Ranked
- Heidi Asten Herbert Smith Freehills5 Years Ranked
- Ilona Millar Gilbert + Tobin2 Years Ranked
- Jane Hall Ashurst1 Years Ranked
- Luke Walker MinterEllison4 Years Ranked
- Madeline Simpson McCullough Robertson4 Years Ranked
- Meg Lee Hall & Wilcox3 Years Ranked
- Melanie Debenham Herbert Smith Freehills3 Years Ranked
- Michael Leong Corrs Chambers Westgarth4 Years Ranked
- Michelle Keen White & Case LLP5 Years Ranked
- Paul Lalich K&L Gates14 Years Ranked
- Rosanne Meurling Allens12 Years Ranked
- Stuart Macnaughton McCullough Robertson1 Years Ranked
- Damien GardinerClayton Utz
- Harshane KahagalleAddisons
- Jennifer HughesBeatty Hughes & Associates
- Matthew AustinKing & Wood Mallesons
- Noni ShannonDeloitte Legal
- Paul McQueenLavan
- Penny MurrayAddisons
- Samantha DalyJohnson Winter Slattery
Up and Coming
All Departments profiles
Band 1
1 AshurstEnvironment & Planning2025 | Band 1 | 7 Years RankedAshurst's formidable expertise is applied on behalf of both public and private sector clients in obtaining planning and environmental approvals for infrastructure projects, as well as regulatory approvals for mining and renewable energy projects. The team frequently advises clients on litigation, particularly defending contamination prosecutions and challenges to mining project approvals. The law firm is also active in major inquiries and regulatory investigations at both the national and state levels, and able to draw on the global Ashurst network for jurisdiction-specific expertise as required. Ashurst regularly advises government entities as well as major international corporates in the energy, resources and mining sectors.
Band 2
2 AllensEnvironment & Planning2025 | Band 2 | 7 Years RankedThe Allens practice coordinates expertise from across the firm to support a comprehensive range of planning and environment requirements relevant to high-profile energy, mining, infrastructure and residential projects. The firm also stands out for its representation of blue-chip national and international clients and governmental agencies and for its cutting-edge climate change expertise. Allen's team is frequently called upon to advise on substantial environment disputes as well as to assist on advisory matters.2 Corrs Chambers WestgarthEnvironment & Planning2025 | Band 2 | 7 Years RankedCorrs Chambers Westgarth's well-regarded team offers full national coverage, addressing a comprehensive range of contentious and non-contentious matters. The firm's environment and planning team advises energy and natural resources companies on planning approval, energy efficiency, sustainability and climate change concerns in addition to water rights and infrastructure. Other mandates covered include the environment and planning approvals necessary for property and urban development, transport infrastructure and telecommunications. The team also advises on major issues relating to waste disposal and contaminated sites, as well as investigations and enforcement actions in relation to offences under the Environmental Protection Act.2 Herbert Smith FreehillsEnvironment & Planning2025 | Band 2 | 7 Years RankedThe Herbert Smith Freehills team is noted for its national reach and integration of strategic advice from all relevant practice areas to address environmental and planning issues arising throughout the life-cycles of the largest and most complex projects. The law firm is well known for its comprehensive land access and approvals service, supporting both public and private sector projects. The team possesses specialised expertise with regard to environmental impact assessments of mining projects and the specific regulatory considerations affecting developments in the renewables sector. The firm leverages a market-leading dispute resolution practice to assist clients with contentious planning and environmental mandates.2 MinterEllisonEnvironment & Planning2025 | Band 2 | 7 Years RankedMinterEllison maintains an impressive national footprint and frequently represents leading corporates and government departments on the environment and planning aspects of major resources, infrastructure and retail developments. The environment and planning team offers especially well-developed expertise in obtaining licences to operate and the various approvals processes. The team is further noted for expertise regarding state government infrastructure sales, defence against environmental NGO litigation, compliance actions and its assistance in response to environmental damage investigations.2 Norton Rose FulbrightEnvironment & Planning2025 | Band 2 | 7 Years RankedNorton Rose Fulbright offers core expertise in relation to major property developments, including commercial, residential and broader infrastructure mandates. The team is experienced in handling planning disputes, including development challenges and compensation claims as well as environmental investigations. Norton Rose Fulbright is prominent in climate change matters and advising on energy and renewables projects, offering specialist assistance on waste management, compliance matters and environmental risk assessment. The firm is also increasingly active on matters relating to infrastructure projects.2 White & Case LLPEnvironment & Planning2025 | Band 2 | 7 Years RankedThe White & Case team is the Australian arm of a global firm and is acknowledged for its management of all planning and environment approvals processes for project delivery, particularly with regard to energy projects and transport infrastructure upgrades. The firm is also experienced in handling environmental regulatory, land acquisition, native title and cultural heritage matters, and is well-placed to coordinate with the firm's highly regarded projects and infrastructure team.
Band 3
3 MaddocksEnvironment & Planning2025 | Band 3 | 6 Years RankedMaddocks fields notable expertise in relation to environmental law, including on matters involving land contamination and the environmental aspects of resources projects. The team is able to assist clients on both contentious and advisory mandates. Maddocks is frequently engaged by local councils as well as other government clients.3 McCullough RobertsonEnvironment & Planning2025 | Band 3 | 7 Years RankedMcCullough Robertson maintains, particularly on the eastern seaboard, its noted reputation for advice on planning and environmental questions affecting coal mine acquisitions, development and expansion, including compliance, impact assessments and risk mitigation. The firm also handles associated investigations and disputes mandates for a clientele which includes global multinationals, state-owned entities and local councils. It houses a noted renewables capability, plus expertise covering approvals for large-scale mixed-use developments, transport infrastructure and greenfield projects.
Band 4
4 Baker McKenzieEnvironment & Planning2025 | Band 4 | 7 Years RankedBaker McKenzie's nationwide practice maintains a close focus on climate change and renewable energy projects. The firm also handles mandates concerning emissions reduction and carbon sequestration, alongside traditional environmental and planning matters. The team demonstrates strong expertise in handling contamination-related mandates.4 Hall & WilcoxEnvironment & Planning2025 | Band 4 | 2 Years RankedHall & Wilcox advises across land acquisition and compensation claims, environmental and conservation policy and planning approvals, as well as related appeals and disputes. In addition to property developers, the team often acts for local and town councils and state government departments.