Team Members

Michael Donnelly

Special Counsel
Michael is a special counsel in our property team and specialises in large-scale acquisitions and disposals, property development, technical property advice work and commercial leasing.

Michael is a special counsel in our property team. He specialises in large-scale acquisitions and disposals, property development, technical property advice work and commercial leasing.

Having been recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a Rising Star, Michael works directly with major property owners and developers, providing pragmatic and clear advice to assist them with the day-to-day management and operation of their portfolios.

In addition to his property expertise, Michael has also gained experience in the fields of insurance, litigation, dispute resolution, personal injury, franchising and commercial law – and had the opportunity to complete a secondment with one of the largest general insurers in Australia, focusing on property disputes. This gives him a unique insight and understanding across a broad range of areas.

  • Bachelor of Laws (Hons) – Queensland University of Technology
  • Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice – Queensland University of Technology
  • Solicitor – Supreme Court of Queensland
  • Solicitor – High Court of Australia
  • Member – Future Directions Committee 2021/2022 and 2023/2024 (Queensland), Property Council of Australia
  • Doyle’s Guide – 2023 Queensland Property & Real Estate Law Rising Star.
  • Acting in respect of the sale of various large englobo and active residental land development sites, including a large South East Queensland master-planned residential community to an ASX-listed company
  • Advising on the purchase of a number of major Brisbane shopping centres exceeding $600 million in value, each separately involving complicated co-ownership arrangements, trust/divestment strategies and concurrent lease structures
  • Advising on the acquisition and disposal of various inner and outer-Brisbane commercial, office and industrial assets, along with built-form and future development sites including multiple owner groups, for large and small property developer clients
  • Advising on the acquisition of a regional Queensland hotel business involving complex volumetric titling structure
  • Undertaking complex due diligence reviews on major transactions across various jurisdictions
  • Advising on intricate technical property matters, including the successful pursuit of an adverse possession application
  • Assisting developers and marina operators with day-to-day management matters

Areas of Expertise

Publications

Cooper Grace Ward advances five in latest promotion round

Brisbane-based law firm, Cooper Grace Ward is delighted to announce that five lawyers are taking the next step in their career as they are promoted into new positions.

Kim Teague and Michael Donnelly listed as leading property and leasing lawyers

Cooper Grace Ward is delighted to share that special counsel Kim Teague and associate Michael Donnelly have been ranked in the latest Doyle’s Guide listing of leading Queensland property and leasing lawyers.

Who, what, where with Michael Donnelly

Click below for who, what, where with recently promoted senior associate Michael Donnelly from the Property, planning and environment team.