David Naidoo

P: 03 8787 8900
W: davidnaidoo.com.au

Level 1, Suite 1D & 4
Hampton Park Shopping Square
166 Somerville Rd
Hampton Park VIC 3976

David Naidoo & Associates provide quality cost-effective legal services and relentlessly pursue practical and economical as well as commercial resolutions in the interest of clients.

We are known for our understanding of technical aspects of the construction, engineering and architectural copyright industries and have over 28 years’ experience as building lawyers.

Conveniently located in the South East our clients do not have to travel into the city and benefit from our excellent high standards.  We assist in all construction disputes, building contracts and produce periodic newsletters to inform and educate our clients.

Our principal lodged the first appeal in the then Domestic Building Tribunal now known as the Building and Property List of VCAT and we have long standing relations with industry bodies in the building industry.  We act in all types of building disputes, architectural copyright disputes, building contracts, development agreements, conveyancing and commercial litigation.

Jim Doyle

P: 03 9620 0322
W: doylesconstructionlawyers.com

Level 40, 140 William Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

At Doyles Construction Lawyers, we are specialists in the area of construction law.  Our practicing lawyers have both legal and construction experience which means that we understand the particular issues experienced by builders.  For many years we have provided advice and assistance to domestic builders and subcontractors in the construction industry.  We can advise you in relation to a wide range of issues, including VCAT disputes, Building Practitioner’s Board issues, contracts and claims and litigation generally.

We provide free telephone legal advice to members of HIA on 03 9620 0322.

Savannah Hardingham

P: 03 9612 8231
E: savannah.hardingham@gadens.com

Level 13-Collins Arch
447 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

Gadens is a leading Australian law firm with over 100 partners and 850 staff across offices located in Adelaide, Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney.

Gadens’ lawyers regularly undertake highly complex and day-to-day legal work for a wide range of clients in the housing industry, including architects, designer builders, residential developers and contractors. We advise on all aspects of building, construction and procurement, including:

• intellectual property matters, including:
• copyright issues, including disputes regarding copyright in house designs, as well as advising on the ownership and licensing of house designs
• trade mark and brand protection, including filing trade marks and licensing trade marks
• disputes regarding trade mark infringement, passing off, misleading and deceptive conduct
• confidential information, including non-disclosure agreements and disputes between former employees and employers
• contracts, including pre-contract advice, project delivery methods, finance and procurement, drafting standard and bespoke contracts, and advising in relation to contract administration and interpretation as well as green-friendly construction and sustainability
• commercial litigation and dispute resolution, including contract disputes, remediation, and defect disputes and adjudications
• reviewing and advising on promotional material to ensure compliance with the Australian Consumer Law and other legal requirements
• employment and workplace relations
• commercial and retail leasing
• restructuring and insolvency and
• debt recovery.

Ben Broadhead

Richard Anderson

Natasha Koneska

P: 03 5226 8549
E: benb@ha.legal
W: harwoodandrews.com.au

68-70 Gheringhap Street
Geelong VIC 3220

101 Lydiard Street North
Ballarat VIC 3350

1a, 564 David Street
Albury NSW 2640

Level 5, 707 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

Harwood Andrews is a progressive legal firm working to provide positive commercial solutions for our clients. We are Victoria’s largest regional firm with a head office based in a regional centre.

Building and construction

• Domestic and commercial building disputes
• Pre-contract advice and negotiation
• Risk management
• Making extension of time and variation claims
• Making claims under the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act
• Legislation and regulation compliance
• Builder’s disciplinary matters

Insolvency/bankruptcy

• Company
• Individual

Debt recovery

Planning and environment

• Represents parties in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal in respect of a broad range of review proceedings concerning residential development
• Represents parties in Planning Panels considering the rezoning of land and the introduction of other planning scheme controls
• Provides advice on the interpretation and operation of the planning scheme and planning and environment act.
• Advises on the operation of restrictive covenants and acts in variation/removal applications under the Planning and Environment Act 1987 and the Property Law Act 1958
• Drafts planning agreements under section 173 of the Planning and Environment Act 1987
• Advises on related enactments such as the Subdivision Act 1988 and the Environment Protection Act 1970

Property

• Residential developments
• Retail developments
• Industrial developments
• Property acquisitions
• Subdivisions
• Project management agreements
• Joint ventures and development agreements

Commercial

• Business structuring and asset protection
• Trusts

We also offer taxation and employment services.

Rowland Hassall

Michelle Cupples

P: 03 9555 7233
E: admin@hls.net.au
W: hassalls.net.au

1/123 Church Street
Hawthorn VIC 3122

Hassall’s Litigation Services (‘Hassall’s’) concentrates on two aspects of legal process, namely, the formation of the contract (building contract, the terms and conditions of trade in commerce) and the resolution of disputes by negotiation, arbitration and, when necessary, litigation. Hassall’s routinely represents clients at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal, County Court and Supreme Court and has extensive experience in conducting and running domestic building disputes, disputes between builders and sub-contractors as well as pursuing claims in accordance with the provisions of Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002 (Vic).

Peter Lettieri

P: 03 8825 4800
E: plettieri@kkilawyers.com.au
W: kkilawyers.com.au

Steven Apostolou

P: 03 8825 4800
E: sapostolou@kkilawyers.com.au
W: kkilawyers.com.au

Level 1, 4 Riverside Quay
Southbank VIC 3006

Building and construction contracts and disputes are unique in their technical complexity and time sensitivity. Our strength is our experience and industry know-how.  Whether your interests are as developer or construction professional, our team has the technical know-how and experience to help you identify, manage and minimise your risk through the life of the project.  We’re with you from project inception to completion.

Our front-end team provide bespoke advice on all industry standard form contracts and areas of risk such as delay and extension of time, latent conditions and integrating the requirements of off-the-plan contracts of sale and agreements for lease.

Interfacing with our front-end team, our specialist construction dispute lawyers advise developers and construction professionals on matters such as defects claims and assessments, delay and overrun claims, security of payment, wrongful termination, professional negligence claims and building insurance claims.

Our experience in construction litigation spans complex, resource-intensive multi-party litigation through to intra-contractor cash flow recovery along the life of a project.

Chris Round

P: 03 9640 4364
W: klgates.com

Tony Watson

P: 03 9640 4331
W: klgates.com

Level 25, South Tower
525 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

K&L Gates is a full-service commercial law firm. K&L Gates' lawyers have extensive experience in acting for clients in the housing industry (including both large and smaller businesses) in respect of the following matters:

• Intellectual property issues, including:
• Copyright disputes. K&L Gates has successfully acted on both sides of disputes involving copyright in house plans and houses for a range of designers and builders, including in proceedings in the Federal Court
• Licensing of house designs
• Trademark and brand protection
• Disputes regarding trade mark infringement, passing off, misleading and deceptive conduct and misuse of confidential information (including by former employees)
• Reviewing and advising on marketing materials and sales collateral to ensure compliance with the Australian Consumer Law and other legal requirements
• Contracts and disputes with suppliers and customers
• Real Estate: advising in contentious and non-contentious matters, including in respect of contracts with developers
• Employment and workplace relations.

Leonard Warren

P: 03 7067 6680
W: lawarren.com.au

Suite 216, 585 Little Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

L A Warren Lawyers are experts in litigation and commercial disputes resolution. Our principal Leonard Warren is a highly regarded, industry expert who has over 27 years experience and a Masters Degree in Building and Construction Law. He has acted for builders, construction companies, subcontractors, architects, owners and government bodies in Domestic and Commercial Building Disputes, including Primelife Lend Lease, Pearl Hill Pty Ltd, Ashwood Homes Pty Ltd, Gippsland Water, Western Water, City of Boorandara, Landream, Goodwin Village and more.

We advise on disputes and claims regarding: 

• Security of Payment (SOP) Claims according to Building and Construction Industry Security of Payments Act 2002 (Vic)
• Breach of Contract 
• Incomplete Work
• Defective Work and Warranty Claims
• Disputed Extension of Time (EOT) 
• Disputed Variation Claims 
• Contract Termination 
• Contractor/Sub-Contractor Disputes 
• Insurance Claims (where the insurance company is refusing the claim) 
• Claims Against Architects In addition we provide legal advice regarding: 
• Review and Drafting of Building & Design Contracts, including when necessary, in line with the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 
• Matters regarding Construction Funding 
• Building Arbitrations 
• Enforceability of Security 
• Builder Misconduct, Disciplinary Action or Negligence 
• Urgent Injunctions, Anton Piller Orders, Freezing Orders.

We are experienced with representation in: 

• DBDRV (Domestic Building Dispute Resolution Victoria) mediations 
• Building Disputes Arbitration 
• VCAT disputes 
• Building Appeals Board (BAB).

Litigation is our expertise and we have the know how to follow a case through until the end, whether it be in the:

• High Court 
• Federal Court
• Federal Circuit Court 
• Supreme Court (including Court of Appeal)
• County Court
• Magistrates Court 
• VCAT 
• Private arbitration 
• Judicial mediation 
• Private mediation.

Exclusive offer to HIA members

We offer free initial legal consultations (via video or telephone) to all clients. You can book a consultation via our website. We also offer an exclusive 5% discount on our professional legal fees to members of HIA.

Call 03 7067 6680 and quote your HIA member number to redeem this offer.

Kim Lovegrove

Justin Cotton

P: 03 9600 4077
W: lclawyers.com.au

Level 1, 61 Spring Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

Principals Kim Lovegrove and Justin Cotton are building law experts practicing at the oldest construction law firm in Victoria est. in 1993. Combined they have 70 years’ experience in building law. Kim Lovegrove, past conjoint professor in building regulation, author of Lovegrove on Building Control and Disciplinary Hearings & Advocacy was the principal legal adviser on the Victorian Building Act and is a past Chairman of the BPB and a past Vic president of the AIB.

Justin Cotton is the leading defence advocate in defending building practitioners in licensing and disciplinary matters.

Experts in construction law, dispute resolution, contractual advice, Building Act, the VCAT, the Domestic Building Contracts Act, Land and Environment Court representation, Environmental Planning and Assessment Act advice, practitioner advocacy, representation in builder misconduct matters, planning law and commercial law.

John Perry

P: 0403 817 102
E: jperry@ptlawyers.com.au
W: ptlawyers.com.au

David Thomas

P: 03 8375 9638
M: 0400 046 186
E: dthomas@ptlawyers.coom.au
W: ptlawyers.com.au

Emirates House
Level 3, 257 Collins Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

Perry Thomas Lawyers is a boutique Building and Construction law firm which prides itself on accessibility and providing fast, pragmatic and commercially astute advice. We regularly act for construction companies, subcontractors, engineers, architects, builders and owners and have many years of experience advising on residential, commercial and industrial projects. We often assist clients with:

• Litigious matters in Courts and Tribunals including
• Domestic Building Disputes
• Commercial Building Disputes
• Appearing and advocating for clients at VCAT, Mediations, Conciliations and Conferences
• Protection Work Disputes
• Breach of Contract Matters and
• Joint Venture Disputes
• Building and Construction Law:
• Drafting and reviewing construction contracts
• Advising on contractual risk management and distribution
• Providing advice in relation to the Building Act 1993, the Domestic Building Contracts Act 1995 and the Building and Construction Industry Security of Payment Act 2002
• Advising on contract administration
• Protection work disputes
• Defective building work and warranty claims
• Dispute resolution processes including mediation, conciliation and negotiation and
• Debt Recovery.
• Security of Payment Act matters: 
• including preparing payment claims, payment schedules, adjudications, summary judgment applications and enforcement.
• Contract Advice and Drafting:
• Providing clear advice on contracting models, risk allocation /distribution
• Drafting and reviewing construction contracts and
• Preparing suites of documentation to comply with contract administration requirements
• Drafting Contract Notices (Extensions of Time, Variations, Termination Notices and Notices of Dispute)

Donna Abu-Elias

P: 0428 545 688
E: donna@spectrumlaw.net.au
W: www.spectrumlaw.net.au

PO Box 527
Altona VIC 3018

Having worked in private practice and as an in-house general counsel for both commercial builders and residential builders, Donna Abu-Elias founded Spectrum Lawyers & Consultants as she was passionate about the building and construction industry, but as a mother of a child on the Spectrum she needed to design a practice that was flexible for busy builders and Owners. Flexibility allows all parties to think outside the normal restrictions, and ensure that the primary focus is on completing the building works as efficiently and without defect, but still having the flexibility to work remotely, over the internet, or in your office/home. 

Donna was admitted as a lawyer in April 2004, and before that time was working as a paralegal since 1999. Donna has worked for some of the major volume builders in Australia including Burbank Group, Carlisle Homes and Simonds Group. Donna was also a member of the Housing Industry Association (HIA) IR & Legal Committee from 2013 to 2018. Donna has completed her Bachelor of Law\Commerce (with Honours) (LaTrobe University), Diploma in Construction Law (Melbourne University) and Foundations of Directorship course (AICD). 

Spectrum Lawyers & Consultants focuses on Building and construction law – to protect Owners when constructing or maintaining their homes; to assist Builders and/or Owners efficiently resolve building disputes, and work with Builders to develop streamline documented procedures and training to better manage the spectrum of challenges in today’s market.

Jeannette Eid

P: 03 9009 5800
E: wre@wrelawyers.com.au
W: wrelawyers.com.au

Level 4, 530 Londsdale Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

The Construction team at Wainwright Ryan Eid advises on the full range of legal issues impacting on Construction and Infrastructure Projects including due diligence, tender preparation and review, risk management and strategic advice, construction disputes, employment and workforce issues, project finance and ongoing operational matters. 

We act on behalf of Developers, Contractors, Builders, Subcontractors, Building Practitioners, major property owners, owners corporations and strata communities, retirement village developers and operators, financiers, insurers and industry organisations including MBA, HIA, REIV, ASBC, AIBS, IAQ, PIA, and ACIF (to name a few), Architects, Surveyors, Planners as well as professionals engaged in the construction industry. 

We represent and assist our clients in every phase of construction projects from ‘front end’ initial contract negotiation (contract drafting, reviews, negotiations and tender advice) to the ‘back end’ of projects (dispute negotiation and litigation). 

Our team is experienced in a wide range of construction and infrastructure issues, and can advise on contract drafting and administration, joint ventures and consortium arrangements, project finance, facilities and project management, tender preparation, security of payment, PPPs, dispute resolution, health and safety and industrial relations and EBA preparation and negotiations. 

Wainwright Ryan Eid Lawyers is a full service law firm and a proud, longstanding member of the HIA since 1 July 1979. 

In addition to Construction and Infrastructure matters, we can assist with all your legal requirements.

Andrew Whitelaw
Director

P: 1300 77 80 90
E: awhitelaw@wflawyers.com.au
W: wflawyers.com.au

Level 12, 533 Little Lonsdale Street
Melbourne VIC 3000

Andrew Whitelaw is a Director of Whitelaw Flynn Lawyers and leads the Building and Construction Team.  Andrew has practiced in all areas of building and construction law for 20 years. Andrew and his team provide advice and representation for builders in the DBDRV, VCAT and all Victorian and Federal Courts. 

His Building and Construction Team comprising Special Counsel Meri Siracusa and Louisa Huang, Solicitor have extensive experience in domestic and commercial construction law. The Team acts on behalf of builders, developers, owners, Owners Corporations, managers, subcontractors and construction industry professionals.

Andrew and his team provide expert guidance on: 

• pre-contract advice
• negotiations on all  forms of constructions contracts
• drafting building contracts, standard and project-specific
• advice and dispute resolution for all types of construction claims
• security of payments legislation/arbitrations
• advice on defect claims and claims for incomplete works
• insurance claims, professional liability and negligence advice
• protection works advice and documentation
• project development
• progress payments, EOTs, LD’s, variations, and debt recovery
• OH&S and
• owners Corporation.