Elizabeth Wild joined Jones Day in March 2025, reinforcing the firm’s environment and planning capabilities. Wild has extensive experience in the full spectrum of environmental and climate change law issues, with particular expertise in contaminated land issues and remediation law.

Led by Paul Lalich, the K&L Gates team advises on a host of environmental and planning issues, including regulatory approvals, compliance investigations and urban land releases across a range of sectors.

Allens’ wide-ranging practice encompasses advisory work as well as litigation on matters including resumption compensation claims, criminal defence proceedings and mining tenure applications for clients across both the public and private sectors. Brisbane-based practice head Bill McCredie is an expert in a broad range of advisory, transactional and contentious work, including development assessment and approvals, and environmental compliance matters. Jillian Button is well known for the depth of her expertise in renewable energy and energy storage (BESS) projects, while Felicity Rourke and Eve Lynch frequently cover a wide array of matters related to both front-end advisory and environmental and planning litigation. Rosanne Meurling is a key advisor for clients dealing with heritage-listed buildings, and in negotiating infrastructure agreements.

Ashurst has a comprehensive environment and planning offering, allowing the team to advise on major infrastructure, mining, and energy transition projects, as well as advising government bodies and corporations on ESG compliance and industry decarbonisation. At the helm of the practice in Sydney, Tony Hill acts for a diverse client base including government agencies, industrial mining and energy corporations, and infrastructure developers. John Briggs is well versed in managing litigation in the federal courts and advising on biodiversity matters, while Jane Hall stands out for her work involving environmental and biodiversity conservation. Paul Wilson is adept at handling matters related to environmental and planning approvals, as well as compliance issues, across a range of industry sectors. Guy Dwyer and Michael Voros were promoted to partner in 2024.

Clayton Utz is home to a highly experienced environment and planning team spearheaded by Claire Smith in Sydney, whose broad skill set extends from advising on environment and planning issues in the energy transition sphere to complex portfolio M&A transactions and environmental litigation. Bringing a wide remit of expertise to the team, Brendan Bateman is particularly impressive in handling matters involving environmental impact assessments, biodiversity conservation, contaminated land, and air and water quality. With strong credentials in energy, mining, manufacturing and infrastructure matters, Karen Trainor advises on a wide array of energy transition issues. John Clayton is a key contact for both government bodies and private developers, while Alison Packham is frequently sought after for her expertise in state and federal environmental and planning laws as they relate to infrastructure projects and land acquisition strategies.

Norton Rose Fulbright maintains a strong position in the market, with the team advising across the full remit of environment and planning matters. Large-scale green and brownfield development projects form the cornerstone of the team’s practice, with the firm positioned to advise on approval pathways, environmental impact assessments and ESG compliance. Taking over as practice head, Brisbane-based Rebecca Hoare is well known in the market for her expertise in environmental and planning law, coupled with a deep knowledge of climate change, carbon farming and carbon pricing. Anneliese Korber is a key contact for clients seeking advice concerning compulsory acquisition, while Krista MacPherson has notable specialism in handling matters involving biodiversity and environmental protection, as well as land contamination.

Corrs Chambers Westgarth has developed a broad environment and planning practice, including counselling clients on the development of greenfield and brownfield sites, contamination issues and regulatory compliance. Louise Camenzuli, who spearheads the practice in Sydney, is well known in the market for advising on critical infrastructure projects, in particular onshore and offshore energy production and transmission projects. Anna White excels in counselling clients on environmental regulatory compliance, environmental impact assessment and approvals, and waste and circular economy issues. Rosie Syme has broad experience extending from compulsory land acquisitions to advising on entitlements to compensation, while Kirsty Davis is frequently sought after for advice on environmental due diligence matters relevant to M&A transactions.

Herbert Smith Freehills Kramer LLP has a longstanding reputation for helping clients to navigate the rapidly evolving regulatory landscape in the environment and planning space. The team is sought after by clients for advice on energy transition projects, as well as by those involved in regulatory disputes and investigations. The practice group is led from Sydney by Peter Briggs, a highly experienced litigator who specialises in planning prosecutions, compulsory acquisition and class 3 actions. With strong credentials in energy and resources matters, Melanie Debenham is prepared to handle environmental compliance, large-scale project approvals, and judicial review risk management. Kathryn Pacey is a key advisor for the government and industry bodies on the development of policy and legislation regarding the energy transition, while Naomi Hutchings is sought after for her deep knowledge of policies driving the low-carbon transition.

King & Wood Mallesons‘ wide-ranging practice encompasses advice on federal environmental law reforms, energy transition regulations, mine rehabilitation, and carbon and nature repair markets. The department is under the leadership of seasoned Brisbane-based partner Matthew Austin, who has in-depth knowledge of the development, infrastructure and mining industries. Michelle Astridge advises across the full array of environment and planning issues, as well as acting for clients in court appeals concerning development projects and prosecutions. Mark Beaufoy acts for clients in a wide range of sectors, frequently assisting in regulatory investigations and environmental dispute resolution, while Kate Dean is a key contact for those seeking advice on environmental compliance issues, remediation of land and compulsory acquisitions.

Maddocks’ practice group is co-led by experienced partners Maria Marshall in Melbourne, who specialises in advising various state government departments, and Michael Winram in Sydney, who focuses on environmental issues, including contaminated land and biodiversity law, as well as appearing before courts at all levels of the Australian judicial system. An experienced litigator, Breellen Warry is a name to note for clients seeking advice on federal and state planning and environmental approvals processes. Patrick Ibbotson is well prepared to handle a broad range of matters, including environmental compliance, contaminated land issues, resource conservation and approval strategies for infrastructure projects, for government bodies and private corporations. Terry Montebello regularly appears before tribunals and government advisory committees to advise on major projects. The team was also bolstered by the arrival of Joseph Monaghan from Holding Redlich in October 2024.

With a core focus on planning, environment and compliance matters, the team at Minter Ellison has a wealth of experience advising on planning and environmental approvals, as well as the ever-changing regulatory environment. At the helm of the practice in Sydney, Luke Walker advises on a wide array of front-end and back-end planning and environmental matters relating to town planning, land contamination and the impact of climate change. Combining his experience as an above ground mine manager with a background in engineering, Simon Ball provides practical and commercial advice on environmental planning protection in the mining sector. Tim Hanmore  is a key contact for clients in the mining and energy industries, while Nada Raphael has broad experience in urban development matters, industrial projects and the resources sector. Alex Skilling and Jarryd Gray were promoted to partner in July 2024.

White & Case’s practice spans an array of sectors, including the energy transition, major infrastructure and mining. The team’s varied case load includes advice on current legislation, environmental assessments and indigenous land use matters. The group is led from Melbourne by Tim Power, who is a reference for clients in the renewable energy and critical mineral and rare earths markets. Fiona Curl advises on a wide array of matters across the energy transition space, including regulatory issues, feasibility licence applications and environmental approvals. Michelle Keen is well equipped to handle renewable energy projects for developers, investors and financiers, while Zachary Tyler advises on environmental and planning due diligence and transactional matters.

Colin Biggers & Paisley has a longstanding reputation for advising on environmental and planning matters relating to large development and infrastructure projects, with the group being led by the capable quartet of Ben Caldwell, Todd Neal, David Passarella and Nadia Czachor. In Queensland, Caldwell and Czachor, who was promoted to partner in January 2025, specialise in advising on major environmental and sustainability matters, and drafting infrastructure planning and local government statutory instruments, respectively. In New South Wales, Neal is an experienced litigator at all levels of the Australian judicial system. Leading the team in Victoria, Passarella is a name to note for property developers and industry advisors.

Covering the entire scope of environment and planning law, Gilbert + Tobin’s wide-ranging practice encompasses advice on contaminated land remediation, regulatory investigations, compulsory acquisition, and climate change law. Leading the practice from Sydney, Ben Fuller’s broad expertise covers the full remit of environment and planning matters, with particular experience in the renewable energy, agribusiness and waste sectors. Ilona Millar has in-depth knowledge of decarbonisation, climate risk governance, and climate litigation, while Nina Pearse frequently assists clients on planning issues, including biodiversity impacts and offsets.

Hall & Wilcox’s well-established client base includes state and local governments, as well as public and private stakeholders across a wide range of industries, including the property and renewable energy sectors. Meg Lee is frequently sought after to advise government bodies and private sector companies alike, while Newcastle-based Brendan Tobin's primary focus lies on major projects in the mining and renewable energy sectors. Rory O’Connor excels in advising clients on large-scale infill development and infrastructure projects involving complex planning agreements. Natalie Bannister frequently assists clients engaged in environmental disputes, and Sydney-based Stan Kondilios has in-depth knowledge of probity and governance issues. All named lawyers are based in Melbourne unless noted otherwise.

With a growing environment and planning practice, clients regularly turn to Pinsent Masons LLP for assistance with environmental and regulatory approvals, pollution and contamination issues, and environment and planning litigation. The practice group is co-led by the experienced Kirstie Richards in Sydney, who specialises in large-scale energy projects, and Florence Riviere in Melbourne, who covers the full remit of planning and environmental issues relating to renewable energy projects. Georgia Cassidy is another name to note, while the addition of Matthew Thorton-Dibb from Norton Rose Fulbright in January 2025 has further strengthened the team.

Piper Alderman’s environment and planning team is jointly steered by Ashley Watson and Alicia Chryssochoides, providing a national spread of expertise. The team is recognised for handling land division issues, land contamination and litigation in the Land and Environment Court. In Perth, Winterbourne stands out for her work in the resources, energy and infrastructure sectors, while in Adelaide, Watson provides expertise in land use, environmental law compliance and regulatory due diligence. Based in Sydney, Chryssochoides regularly appears in the Land and Environment Court in merit appeals and handles mediations.

Addisons is a well-known name in the market for clients seeking advice on urban development projects, in particular, development rights, approval pathways, risk management and environmental compliance. Penny Murray is noted for the depth of her expertise in advising landowners on compensation claims regarding land resumptions. Natalie Rodwell specialises in urban release areas and new residential communities. Lee Cone handles planning and environment matters across a range of property developments. All are based in Sydney.

Johnson Winter Slattery’s lawyers exhibit proficiency advising across land access arrangements, biodiversity matters, renewable energy projects, and mining and exploration projects. Samantha Daly, who spearheads the practice in Sydney, specialises in the property, infrastructure and energy sectors. An experienced litigator, William Oxby frequently acts for clients in access and compensation disputes. Key team members Will Dwyer, Julia Green and Jessica Day further strengthen the firm’s expertise.

McCullough Robertson’s practice spans an array of sectors, including government, infrastructure, renewable energy and property development. Led by Brisbane-based Troy Webb, an experienced litigator, the team’s varied case load includes compulsory land acquisitions, the application of transitional provisions and biodiversity certification processes, as well as handling litigation in the Land and Environment Court. Sarah Hausler excels in environmental compliance and project approvals, while Stuart Macnaughton advises on infrastructure and compensation issues. Other names to note include Kara Mezinec, Madeline Simpson and Kate Swain.