Find Lawyers in Sydney, Australia for Government Practice
Practice Area Overview
The term ‘Government’ is used broadly below to refer to a nation state, a government department or agency, or a quasi-government body at any level. Government Practice can encompass:
- acting for Government in legal matters; and
- acting for an individual or entity in legal matters against Government.
In Australia, Government is subject to particular legal and policy requirements, and has particular rights and responsibilities, which do not apply to individuals or other entities. These are sometimes imposed or granted to comply with international treaties or agreements; to provide additional transparency, accountability, or probity in the use of public money; to prohibit unfair, uneconomic, or unethical practices; or to assist in implementing other laws. For example, a Government body may be subject to particular legal restrictions when purchasing goods or services, or commencing or defending legal claims, that do not apply to private citizens in the same jurisdiction.
Government Practice requires a specialist understanding of the particular legal, regulatory, and policy requirements and other issues and considerations (such as practices or processes) which apply to the matter solely because Government is involved in the matter, in addition to understanding any legal issues which apply to the matter regardless of Government involvement. Therefore, Government Practice intersects with many other legal practice areas, including commercial law, contract law, construction, real estate, litigation, and employment.
For example, a legal practitioner in Government Practice could specialise in advising Government on commercial contracts. Such a practitioner would need to be a specialist in contract and commercial law generally and also in understanding and advising on the additional regulatory requirements which apply to Government when undertaking commercial contracting.
In addition to having specialised expertise in another practice area, it is also likely that a Government Practice practitioner will have specialised expertise in a specific jurisdiction (eg Australia) and a specific level of Government (eg federal, state, or local) within that jurisdiction. This is because the regulatory and policy framework which applies to Government activities often differs substantially between jurisdictions and between levels of Government in those jurisdictions.
Government Practice is distinct from Administrative Law in that Government Practice may not involve advising on Government decision-making or rule-making powers or the exercise of those powers, but could encompass advising on any matter, transaction, or dealing undertaken by, or relating to, Government.
Select a location from the list below to find the best legal talent for your needs.
Wally is recognised as one of Australia’s leading practitioners with many years’ experience in advising major corporate and Government clients. He joined Piper Alderman from a large Australian law firm where he had previously held a number of senior positions including the national positions of Departmental Managing Partner, Corporate and Chairman, Energy and Resources Group. Throughout his career, Wally has acted on matters involving complex multinational mergers and acquisitions...
Phillip served as the firm's National Managing Partner from 2016 until March 2022. Phillip served the firm and its people by leading the implementation of its strategy with the vision of being a world-class independent Australian law firm that clients value for our people and performance. What he does Before becoming National Managing Partner in March 2016, Phillip was a partner in the Government Group and advised governments on high profile and complex projects spanning major procurement pro...
Alexandra is a leading Government, IT and telecommunications lawyer, known in the market for her skilful management of significant Commonwealth and state government procurement projects. What she does Alexandra is a member of the Government team and advises on technology, data protection and the acquisition of services where availability and security are critical. She is recognised in Best Lawyers and Chambers for her expertise in government and technology. In these roles Alexandra also advis...
Our Methodology
Recognition by Best Lawyers is based entirely on peer review. Our methodology is designed to capture, as accurately as possible, the consensus opinion of leading lawyers about the professional abilities of their colleagues within the same geographical area and legal practice area.
The Process
Best Lawyers employs a sophisticated, conscientious, rational, and transparent survey process designed to elicit meaningful and substantive evaluations of the quality of legal services. Our belief has always been that the quality of a peer review survey is directly related to the quality of the voters.