29 April 2025

Cooper Grace Ward celebrates 24 lawyers listed in Best Lawyers 2026

Cooper Grace Ward is proud to announce that 24 of our lawyers have been recognised across 22 expertise areas in Best Lawyers list of leading lawyers for 2026.

Cooper Grace Ward is proud to announce that 24 of our lawyers have been recognised across 22 expertise areas in Best Lawyers list of leading lawyers for 2026.

Of the 24 team members named in this year’s list, 19 were named in the individual Best Lawyers rankings and five were praised as ‘Ones to Watch’ in the areas of Insurance Law, Personal Injury Litigation, Real Property Law and Tax Law. This includes first time recognition for Tom Walrut, recently promoted to special counsel, who has been recognised for his expertise in Tax Law.

Best Lawyers is a highly regarded, peer-reviewed publication that brings together top names in a range of specialist practice areas worldwide.

A huge congratulations to all lawyers listed!

 

Below is the full list of our lawyers recognised by Best Lawyers (with the year they were first listed).

 

Annie Smeaton (2020)

Labour and Employment Law

 

Belinda Winter (2013)

Labour and Employment Law

Occupational Health and Safety Law

 

Brady Cockburn (2018)

Insurance Law

Motor Vehicle Law

Personal Injury Litigation

 

Chantal Kirkwood (2024)

Leasing Law

 

Charles Sweeney (2013)

Commercial Law

Corporate Law

Mergers and Acquisitions Law

 

Clinton Jackson (2019)

Superannuation Law

Wealth Management / Succession Planning Practice

 

Clive Nichol (2018)

Leasing Law

Real Property Law

 

David Grace (2014)

Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Commercial Law

Competition Law

Corporate / Governance Practice

Corporate Law

 

Greg Cahill (2012)

Commercial Law

Mergers and Acquisitions Law

Tax Law

Trusts and Estates

 

Greg Thorne (2020)

Banking and Finance Law

 

Justine Woods (2017)

Family Law

Family Law Mediation

 

Kathy Prince (2024)

Real Property Law

 

Laura Gahan (2025)

Leasing Law

Real Property Law

 

Leeann Murphy (2020)

Family Law

Family Law Mediation

 

Linda Tapiolas (2018)

Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Tax Law

Trusts and Estates

 

Marcus Ford (2020)

Real Property Law

 

Philip Vickery (2019)

Agriculture and Rural Affairs

Corporate Law

Franchise Law

 

Rocco Russo (2021)

Alternative Dispute Resolution

Commercial Law

Insolvency and Reorganization Law

 

Scott Hay-Bartlem (2014)

Commercial Law

Superannuation Law

Trusts and Estates

Wealth Management / Succession Planning Practice

 

Tony Park (2013)

Insurance Law

Motor Vehicle Law

Personal Injury Litigation

 

Best Lawyers – Ones to Watch

Jess Byrne – Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation

Damien Jarrett – Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation

Cameron Lack – Real Property Law

Kim Villis – Insurance Law and Personal Injury Litigation

Tom Walrut – Tax Law

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This publication is for information only and is not legal advice. You should obtain advice that is specific to your circumstances and not rely on this publication as legal advice. If there are any issues you would like us to advise you on arising from this publication, please let us know.

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Key contacts

Charles-Sweeney-web
Charles Sweeney
Managing Partner
Brady-Cockburn
Brady Cockburn
Partner
Marcus-Ford
Marcus Ford
Partner
Laura-Gahan
Laura Gahan
Partner
Scott-Hay-Bartlem
Scott Hay-Bartlem
Partner
Clinton-Jackson
Clinton Jackson
Partner
Clive-Nichol
Clive Nichol
Partner
Tony-Park
Tony Park
Partner
Rocco-Russo
Rocco Russo
Partner
Annie-Smeaton
Annie Smeaton
Partner
Linda Tapiolas
Linda Tapiolas
Partner
Greg-Thorne
Greg Thorne
Partner
Phil Vickery
Phil Vickery
Partner
Jess-Byrne-web
Jess Byrne
Senior Associate
Chantal Kirkwood
Chantal Kirkwood
Senior Associate
Kim Villis
Kim Villis
Senior Associate
Greg-Cahill
Greg Cahill
Consultant
David-Grace
David Grace
Consultant
Damien Jarrett
Damien Jarrett
Special Counsel
Cameron Lack
Cameron Lack
Special Counsel
Leeann-Murphy-web
Leeann Murphy
Special Counsel
Kathy Prince
Kathy Prince
Special Counsel
Tom-Walrut-web
Tom Walrut
Special Counsel

Areas of expertise

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