Overseen by national head of property James Price, Mills Oakley's practice is a key port of call for significant occupiers on industrial and retail leasing transactions. Tim L’Orange leads the Sydney team and is noted for his expertise in property acquisitions and sales, while Perth-based practice head Patrick Thaung handles property due diligence, sales contracts and structuring transactions. Adam Peppinck in Canberra acts for an assortment of government departments and statutory authorities on acquisitions and disposals. Also highlighted is Tony Butler, who oversees the Brisbane department.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

  • ‘They provide us with a wide range of legal knowledge.’
  • ‘They have a great understanding of the commercial real estate industry and are up to date with the latest market trends.’
  • ‘You always feel you come first as a client.’
  • ‘The Melbourne commercial law team has good diversity, are commercially astute, and provide recommendations/solutions, not just a legal response.’
  • ‘The diversity of the team provides us with the support we require to fulfil all the requirements we have.’
  • ‘Emma De Leon has a very collaborative team, and they deliver timely and very commercial advice.’
  • ‘Emma De Leon is extremely knowledgeable, and her advice is always precise and heavily relied on.’
  • ‘James Price is an experienced commercial lawyer who provides excellent advice, strategy, and solutions. He leads a diverse team.’

Key clients

  • Charter Hall
  • Blackstone Real Estate
  • GPT Group
  • Goodman Group
  • ESR
  • Mirvac
  • LOGOS
  • Investa Property Group
  • Mulpha Group
  • China Investment Corporation (Leader AutaInvest)
  • Optus
  • Amazon
  • Woolworths
  • Primewest/Centuria

Work highlights

  • Advising GPT (as co-owner with Austrak) of Somerton Business Park on a ground lease with Aware Super to develop an intermodal terminal.
  • Advising Investa on the A$275m acquisition of 220 London Circuit, Canberra City, a two-building mixed use complex.
  • Advising AFIAA Swiss Foundation for Real Estate Investments (AFIAA) on the acquisition of 100% of the units in the landowner trust.

Practice head

The lawyer(s) leading their teams.

James Price, Tim L’Orange, Tony Butler, Patrick Thaung, Adam Peppinck

Other key lawyers

Bhavini Sundarjee, Edwina Reynolds, Emma De Leon