In the high-stakes world of property law subdivisions, conveyancing and compensation claims for land acquisitions can present a maze of challenges and uncertainties. Unpack the regulatory frameworks which are often tricky to navigate, leading to costly delays. Receive guidance on planning approvals, land use issues, and local government requirements that create friction points. Gain actionable strategies to minimise project delays and sidestep compliance pitfalls. Develop practical solutions to streamline your processes and enhance the value you provide to clients in every property transaction.

Presenters

Tim Houweling, Director, Cornerstone Legal
Tim Houweling is a Director at Cornerstone Legal. Tim has been providing legal services to clients of all levels and local governments for over 20 years and understands the complexities they face. Tim primarily practices law involving Town Planning, Environmental Law, Native Title, Local Government Law and Land Compensation matters. Tim often appears in the District Court, Supreme Court , Administrative Appeals Tribunal and State Administrative Tribunal. His qualifications includes: Bachelor of Laws from Murdoch University; Bachelor of Arts from Curtin University; Master of Laws from the University of Western Australia; Admitted to the Supreme Court; Admitted to the High Court; Adjunct Professor at Law.


Catherine Wheeler, Partner, Piper Alderman
Catherine has over 20 years’ experience working as a property lawyer. She has acted for a vast array of clients including major corporate clients, local government, statutory bodies, banks, foreign investors and individuals in relation to acquisitions and disposals, property development, project structuring, joint ventures, commercial, retail and residential leasing, property due diligence, complex conveyancing, property rights and land tenure. Catherine also has broad banking and finance experience. Catherine is highly regarded by her peers as a WA property sector expert and she was Recommended in Doyle’s Guide to Leading WA Property Lawyers - 2019, and named in Best Lawyers in Australia 2017, 2018, 2019 and 2020 for Real Property Law. She was also named as Lawyer of the Year - Leasing for 2019 by Best Lawyers. Catherine is an active member of the Committee for Perth’s Reshaping Working Group which considers the development of proposals around the built environment, places and transport. It comprises a multi-disciplinary group covering planning, design, development, construction, infrastructure and policy. She has also acted as a mentor in the Property Council of Australia’s 500 Women in Property program.


Paul McQueen, Legal Counsel and Partner, Lavan
Paul McQueen is Legal Counsel and Partner in Lavan Legal's Planning, Environment and Land Compensation Team. Paul is admitted to practice as a barrister and solicitor in both the Supreme Court of Western Australia and the High Court of Australia. Paul has been in specialist legal practice for over 25 years and is a recognised leader in the areas of town planning, environmental and land compensation law. The nature of Paul's practice as an advocate involves providing both court representation and strategic advice concerning the acquisition and development of land in WA. He advises on all aspects of the approval and implementation of development and subdivision proposals, conducts compensation claims, planning and environmental appeals (to the State Administrative Tribunal and Office of the Appeals Convenor) and in Supreme Court Judicial Review proceedings related to all types of planning and environmental matters. Paul has lectured in planning law at the University of Western Australia Law School. Paul's experience and industry involvement includes his role as Chairman of the UDIA EnviroDevelopment Board of Management, former member State Council of the UDIA and the appointment as Honorary Fellow of the Planning Institute of Australia.


Shannon Davies, Principal, Stork Davies
Shannon is Principal at Stork Davies Legal Advisors, practising predominantly in commercial real estate transactions. He was previously the property law course director for the Piddington Society’s practical legal training program and an instructor on the property law component of the Leo Cussen articles training program, and a current member of the Property Council of Australia’s Retail and Hotels Committee (having previously served as Deputy Chair of the Retail Management Committee). Shannon has been ranked as a recommended lawyer in the 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023 Doyle's Guide listings of leading Western Australian property and real estate lawyers, and in the 2023 Doyle's listing of leading WA leasing lawyers. He has also achieved recognition in the 2023 edition of The Best Lawyers in Australia™ for Leasing Law, and in the 2024 edition of Best Lawyers for both Leasing Law and Real Property Law. Previously, Shannon was a Business News 40under40 Winner in the professional services category, and the 2016 winner of the Property Council’s WA Future Leaders Award in the advisory and transactions category.


John Park, Partner, Dentons
John has advised about the establishment of many Strata complexes and on numerous Strata matters including a mix of advice and contentious matters. His practice covers a variety of clients including property development and building companies, strata companies and strata proprietors. His commercial dispute resolution experience ranges from small matters through to complex appellate court matters. He is adept at advising about and conducting all litigious matters through negotiation, mediation, arbitration and litigation in all Courts and Tribunals and has represented clients in various strata title related disputes in the Supreme and District Courts, the State Administrative Tribunal and in many private mediations and negotiations. John has strong experience and skill in relation to advising in all aspects of commercial advice, strata titles, dispute resolution, litigation and building and construction. He is a member of Strata Community Association WA (SCAWA), the Australian College of Strata Lawyers (ACSL) and a Fellow of the Australian Instituted of Management (AIM).


Craig Slater, Barrister, Francis Burt Chambers
Craig Slater is a barrister at Francis Burt Chambers Perth where he specialises in commercial litigation. He advises on the Corporations Act and trade practices legislation. He has appeared as counsel in trials arising from disputes over contracts, misleading or deceptive conduct, the dissolution of partnerships, winding up corporations and commercial disputes generally. Craig was the 2013 President for the Law Society of Western Australia. He remains a member of its Ethics committee.


John Syminton, Consultant, WSR Law
John Syminton is a Consultant of WSR Law (formerly Warren Syminton Ralph Pty Ltd). Prior to joining the firm, John was a partner of Freehills in Perth for many years. Warren Syminton Ralph has an office in Fremantle and acts primarily on commercial property transactions. The firm currently acts for a number of corporations including major listed ASX corporations. John's principal area of expertise is in commercial property and commercial agreements. John is a member of the Law Society of Western Australia and for many years was a member of the Law Society Committee which deals with drafting of the General Conditions for Sale of Land in Western Australia. He is a former Chairperson of the Legal Practice Board. John prepared the original General Conditions for the Sale of Land in WA which is the basis of the current 2018 General Conditions for the Sale of Land.


Isabella Mosole, Senior Associate, Lavan
Isabella Mosole is a senior associate in Lavan's Planning & Environment team. Isabella is experienced in advising clients from multiple sectors across Western Australia in areas including town planning, environment and liquor licensing approvals, land acquisition and disposals, local government, administrative and public law, in both advisory and litigious capacities. She has advised Lavan’s General Counsel, Paul McQueen, in a range of commercial and administrative matters. Isabella is valued amongst colleagues and clients for her strong work ethic, pragmatic outlook and approachable nature. Isabella is also an elected member of the Property Council of Australia, Planning & Infrastructure Committee WA (2023/2024).


Jess Hamdorf, Director, McLeod Fisher & Hamdorf
Jess is a Director with over 7 years of post admission experience. She specialises in many aspects of environment, planning, and public law. She represents clients in the State Administrative Tribunal and the Supreme Court in appealing subdivision and development application refusals, appealing the issuing of various planning notices, disputes regarding developer contribution plans and public and private nuisance. Further, Jess represents clients in the Magistrates Court in relation to planning prosecutions. Jess is also experienced in advising clients on issues related to the compulsory taking of land for public works, contamination of land, waste and general contractual disputes. In addition to her litigation work, Jess has advised on a range of general commercial matters, including drafting and negotiating commercial leases and licences, preparation and amendment of Incorporated Association’s constitutions. Jess is experienced in advising on matters of statutory interpretation, the implications of proposed statutory amendments and the creation of public submissions in relation to proposed developments. Jess is the Past President of the National Environmental Law Association and was awarded the 2021 Mahla Pearlman Australian Young Environmental Lawyer of the Year award. In 2023 Doyle’s Guide recognised Jess as a rising star in Planning and Environmental Law.