Robert Speirs

Robert is the senior partner of the firm and is fundamentally involved in quality control and process management.

He has more than 35 years’ experience in property law.

He has acted for listed and unlisted property trusts and other industry participants on acquisitions, joint ventures, development and disposals across all asset classes. He is regarded as one of Australia’s leading authorities on retail lease law.

Recognised by his peers for Real Property Law in Best Lawyers™ (2017-2024), Robert is a trusted adviser to a number of industry leaders.

He is valued by clients for his ability to find solutions to complex problems, and for his drafting acumen.

James Ryan

James leads a diverse practice, specialising in commercial transactions, leasing and property related finance.

James also acts for corporates and sophisticated investors in the acquisition and disposal of commercial, retail and industrial property, and advises national landlord and tenants.

Recognised by his peers for Real Property Law in Best Lawyers™ (2019-2024), James is renowned for his pragmatic and commercial approach to transactions and disputes, rendering his clients effective and timely outcomes.

James is passionate about the property sector and has previously sat on industry working groups for the Property Council of Australia and the Law Society of NSW (Property Law Committee). He is also a director of a number of property-related enterprises.

Andrew Raad

Andrew is a partner of Speirs Ryan, and an experienced and commercially focussed transactional lawyer.

He acts on substantial market transactions across retail, commercial, childcare, industrial and farming assets. Key experience and transactions include the $380m dollar sale of a mixed-use community centre in Sydney’s inner west, over a quarter of a billion dollars in retail shopping centre transactions across Australia’s east coast, and approximately $150m in acquisitions of childcare centres.

Andrew also manages a specialised leasing practice, involving:

1. the leasing of over 100 retail shopping centres, commercial office towers and mixed-use community centres assets for institutional and HNW private landlords; and
2. tenant-side advisory and leasing, particularly for established hospitality groups, as well as commercial, industrial, and retail operators.

Michael Morrissey

Michael is Speirs Ryan’s partner leading the construction and infrastructure, projects and disputes practices for Speirs Ryan.

He partners with developers, asset owners, financiers, contractors and builders on projects ranging from nation-building and critical infrastructure (roads, rail, energy) through social infrastructure, and extending to housing and commercial, industrial and retail real estate.

He regularly advises clients around complex transactions, ranging from acquisitions through to long term and complex deals.

Michael’s work includes contract and project documentation design, preparation and negotiation, through project delivery, and includes contentious work. He works closely with his clients to simplify the complex and to help them understand and navigate commercial issues. His contentious work experience extends across court work, alternative dispute resolution (arbitration, expert determination and mediation) through to significant experience around the security of payment legislation.

Michael is a Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors, holds a Master of Construction Law, as well as an MBA. Prior to joining Speirs Ryan Michael was the General Counsel of a national healthcare and technology company, and previously founded and led an award-wining construction law firm.

Marcus Cutchey

Marcus delivers high value advice and commercial solutions, leveraging his expertise to tailor desirable results for even the most complex property related legal matters. Known for his commercial and pragmatic approach, his clients include national and international funds management groups, developers and investors.

Marcus has extensive experience in office leasing, property acquisitions and disposals, retail and industrial leasing, and property development for institutional clients.

Monica Hii

Monica approaches her work with making the most of business opportunities, consistently contending with problems and minimising risk. She has built many long term relationships with clients over her career, and has a reputation for guaranteed consistent quality of service, astute legal advice and flexible commercial sense.

As a property lawyer, with her focus on commercial leasing, Monica advises across a broad range of industry sectors on leasing and general property matters, as well as assists landlords and tenants with negotiating and finalising leases. She has additional expertise in off the plan sales and business sales and has advised major banks and government bodies. With a clear and succinct approach to all matters in her practice, she drives every project towards completion with tenacity, and charisma.

In addition to her practical and professional proficiency, Monica speaks Mandarin and Cantonese and is also admitted to the High Court of Sabah and Sarawak, Malaysia.

Pat Ireland

Pat is a commercially minded construction lawyer with a deep understanding of the industry, its key risks, and what it takes to achieve your desired commercial outcomes.

He has broad experience across the entire project lifecycle.

At the front end, Pat is acutely aware of how to ensure you achieve your commercial objectives with contracting processes that meaningfully address real world situations. With experience in negotiating a wide range of standard form contracts, and the ability to craft concise and effective bespoke documents, Pat’s focus is on ensuring the right contract is put in place to clearly reflect the bargain you’ve struck during the tender stage.

Throughout the project delivery phase, Pat partners with clients to ensure they understand their contractual rights and obligations, and how to effectively prepare and respond to claims.

At the back end, Pat has had great success, and thrives, in all forms of dispute resolution – particularly in the Security of Payment space. Alongside his construction and infrastructure work, Pat also plays a key role in Speirs Ryan’s commercial litigation and contentious matters.

Prior to joining Speirs Ryan, Pat worked for highly regarded boutique construction law firms in both Sydney and Newcastle, and as Contracts Manager for a national Tier 2 civil infrastructure contractor.

Justine Zhou

Justine is a Special Counsel at Speirs Ryan.

She has extensive experience in a wide range of property law matters, particularly in acquisitions and disposals, leasing, off-the-plan developments and foreign investment laws.

She is also experienced in corporate and commercial law, particularly in M&A, business purchases and sales, corporate and commercial agreements and transactions and foreign investment compliance and audits.

Acting for institutional clients, state-owned corporations, real estate developers, financial institutions and high net-worth individuals, she is known for her strategic negotiation skills and getting deals across the line. Being keenly aware of differing interests and priorities, she is skilled at resolving challenges in a timely, straightforward and commercial way to achieve her clients’ goals.

She has been recognised for her work in numerous legal awards in the categories of real estate law, commercial law and cyber law in the Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards, Partner of the Year Awards and Australasian Lawyer Awards.

Janelle Oh

Janelle is a Senior Associate based in our Melbourne office.

Janelle has acted for commercial/private sector clients, non-bank lenders and local/state government clients (in Victoria) in a comprehensive range of real estate, leasing and general property law matters.

Janelle’s experience includes:

1. advising in the sale and purchase of land (including commercial, residential, industrial and mixed-use developments), as well as due diligence for complex land transactions (including as part of wider business acquisitions);
2. acting for landlords and tenants in retail, commercial and charitable/community purpose leases;
3. acting for creditors in mortgagee-in-possession sales; and
4. government land/infrastructure projects, including acquisitions/disposals and easement projects.

Sam Majzoub

Sam advises on a comprehensive range of property leasing matters, providing tailored support in drafting, and negotiating key leasing documents.

Sam works closely with his clients to ensure all matters progress efficiently and effectively, delivering a pragmatic approach throughout the leasing process.

With a background as an Operations Manager and Tenancy Delivery Co-Ordinator with AMP Capital and lease administration with Scentre Group, Sam brings valuable insights into the operational complexities of shopping centres, including capital works delivery and tenancy delivery & coordination.

Sam’s diverse experience allows him to offer a unique perspective to his leasing practice, ensuring a thorough understanding of both the legal and operational aspects of property and project management.

Jessie Armstrong

Jessie acts for both landlords and tenants across a range of retail and commercial leasing matters in all Australian jurisdictions.

Jessie has experience in a range of property matters, including property due diligence and commercial transactions of up to approximately $70m.

She is commercially focused and provides practical and effective advice to clients.

Josh Mills

Josh is a construction lawyer with broad expertise in the delivery of construction and infrastructure projects from tenders and contracting through to project delivery, claims, and disputes.

Josh has worked with principals, contractors and developers in the construction, engineering, infrastructure, property development, and mining sectors advising on bespoke and standard form construction contracts, large government infrastructure projects, residential builds, and all forms of dispute resolution with a particular focus on security of payment claims.

Josh is admitted to practice in Australia and England & Wales. Before relocating to Australia, Josh worked for an international construction and insurance law specialist based in London acting for insurers and construction professionals in litigation, adjudication, expert determination, and other forms of alternative dispute resolution.

Josh Smart

Josh is a Foreign Qualified Lawyer with experience working across a broad range of Commercial Property matters both in Australia and overseas.

Josh worked for a listed property company in Sydney, before qualifying as a solicitor in the UK, where he handled a varied caseload of strategic development matters, acquisitions, disposals and leasing, in the retail, industrial and office sectors.

Sydney Smith

Sydney possesses a diverse legal background but has recently focused her expertise to property law, and the retail property sector in particular.

Sydney assists the firm on a range of commercial and retail property matters across multiple Australian jurisdictions, with a specific focus on leasing matters.

Jon Burt

Jon is a dual-qualified lawyer (South Africa and NSW) practising predominantly in front-end infrastructure projects and procurement, advising on contract drafting, negotiation, tendering and project delivery for government and private clients. Before moving to Australia, he worked in-house for a major international retailer in Stockholm, managing property, construction and procurement matters globally. Jon began his career in South Africa, working across a broad range of general commercial matters. 

Polly Scott

Polly is an Associate based in our Melbourne office with a dual qualification in Victoria and New Zealand.

She assists the firm in a broad range of property matters and prior to practicing in Australia, worked extensively in front and back end property development for residential, commercial and industrial developments.

She has experience in advising on leases, property acquisitions and disposals and commercial contracts.

Jessica Dinh

Jessica acts for both landlords and tenants across a range of retail and commercial leasing matters in all Australian jurisdictions.

She is approachable and commercially focused, delivering practical advice tailored to each client’s needs.

Rachael Beattie

Rachael is a lawyer based in our Melbourne office. Rachael has international experience both in-house and private practice.

Rachael has experience in a broad range of property-related matters, including land sales and acquisitions, leasing, and compulsory acquisitions. Her expertise is particularly focused on helping clients secure tenure to support the development of energy infrastructure projects across Australia.

Peter Kostoglou

Peter has experience assisting the firm on a broad range of property matters.

His expertise lies in property development, in particular due diligence, acquisitions and disposals and property financing across all real estate asset classes.

He also works on a range of strata matters, including collective sales and by-laws as well as commercial and retail leasing, acting for both landlords and tenants.

Kathryn Siganos

Kathryn joined Speirs Ryan in 2021 as a law clerk. She was admitted as a solicitor into the Supreme Court in 2024.

Kathryn acts mainly for landlords on a range of retail and commercial leasing matters across all Australian jurisdictions.

She also has extensive experience on real estate transactions, particularly involving the sale or purchase of shopping centres. Her experience extends to due diligence and contract/transaction management.

In addition, Kathryn has been closely involved in a range of ad hoc property matters including possessory and primary applications, the termination of strata schemes, portfolio agreements, construction and property tax.

Jasmine Sheng

Jasmine assists with a variety of construction and infrastructure matters as well as Speirs Ryan’s commercial litigation and disputes practices.

She works across all stages of the project lifecycle, from extensive contract reviews for major construction projects through to Security of Payment legislation compliance and dispute resolution.

Jasmine holds a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Arts from the University of New South Wales.

Charmayne White

Charmayne has experience with various property transactions from residential, commercial and rural conveyancing to leasing and financing matters.

She has a long background in development work acting for developers on acquisition and due diligence through to off-the-plan sales and acting for purchasers nationally on a range of property transactions with often complex titling structures.

Charmayne also works on a range of strata matters, including collective sales, providing advice to owners corporations and lot owners, strata subdivisions and drafting of by-laws.

Adriana Pefkos

Adriana is a legal graduate with a keen interest in property law.

She assists across all stages of the lease lifecycle, providing reliable and invaluable support to the team to ensure matters are run expeditiously and with care.

Tayeb Mirzad

Tayeb assists on a range of property matters, in particular commercial and retail leasing.

Rebekka Krause

Rebekka assists on a range of property matters, in particular commercial and retail leasing.

Aleksandar Janjic

Aleks is in his final year at Macquarie University, studying a Bachelor of Laws and a Bachelor of Commerce (Management).

He has experience working in a wide range of areas, including property, strata, and commercial law.

Lily Mills

Lily is in her third year at UNSW, studying a Bachelor of Commerce and Bachelor of Laws, with a keen interest in property law.

Thalya Pateridis

Thalya is currently completing her Juris Doctor at the University of Sydney and has a strong passion for learning and the law.

She brings experience across government, legal and academic settings, which has strengthened her foundation in legal administration.

With a keen eye for detail, exceptional organisational skills, and a proactive mindset, Thalya supports the team to ensure processes run smoothly and every transaction is completed with professionalism and care.

Ethan Steain

Ethan is studying a Bachelor of Laws and Bachelor of Business (International Business) at the University of Technology Sydney.

He completed an international management field study in Vietnam under the Australian Government’s New Colombo Plan, gaining insight into the politico-legal and socio-economic factors influencing property and infrastructure sectors.

Passionate about the built environment, Ethan supports the team across a range of property matters.

Rebecca Davies

Rebecca is a Bachelor of Laws student with a strong interest in property law.

With over eight years of administrative experience, she brings a solid practical foundation along with a calm and methodical approach to her work. Rebecca is dedicated to providing accurate and efficient support while contributing positively to her team.

Gretal Rohan

Gretal is based in our Melbourne office and is currently undertaking a Bachelor of Laws and International Relations at Monash University. She has a strong interest in property law and is continuing to develop her expertise in this area.

Zubair Ali

Zubair is our Leasing Assistant, bringing extensive experience across property operations, legal support, and portfolio coordination. With a strong background in commercial real estate, stakeholder management and NCAT matters, he brings a practical and solutions-focused lens to every file.

Zubair supports the team across all leasing and registration workflows, managing documentation, liaising with landlords, tenants and agents, and ensuring accuracy and compliance across multiple jurisdictions.

Known for his structured approach and operational efficiency, Zubair ensures every transaction is progressed smoothly and professionally. His ability to identify risks early and resolve issues proactively makes him a valuable part of the leasing team.

Annalise Maddrell

Annalise is a Leasing Assistant specialising in retail and commercial leasing, bringing a strong administrative and client-focused background to her role.

Annalise supports the team across all stages of leasing matters, including drafting transaction documents, lease registrations, managing documentation and liaising with clients, tenants, and external parties.

With a proactive and detail-oriented approach, Annalise is committed to ensuring leasing processes run smoothly and that matters are progressed efficiently and professionally.

Brooke Hollingsworth

Brooke has over 25 years’ experience working in the legal sector in varied roles, including executive level support in both international and national firms.

As Chief Operating Officer, Brooke is responsible for implementing the firm’s strategic direction as well as the end to end management and operation of the firm, facilities and project management, statutory trust accounts and compliance.

Angelina Baer

Angelina brings a strong background in property and finance. She has experience supporting C-suite executives and managing projects across corporate communications, stakeholder engagement, investor relations, and office operations.

As Practice Manager, she oversees the firm’s administrative, accounts, and operational functions across its three offices in Sydney, Melbourne, and Newcastle. She ensures smooth daily operations and provides strategic support to the partners, COO, and wider team.

Angelina also leads the planning and delivery of internal and external events. She manages logistics and execution to deliver experiences that reflect the firm’s brand, values, and professional standards.

Belle Sawasvong

Belle is the firm’s receptionist and is responsible for providing exceptional customer service and overflow administration support, as well as ensuring every client and colleague feels valued and well-assisted.

Karla Hansford

Karla is the firm’s financial controller.

She is responsible for managing the firm’s accounting matters, including payroll and account reconciliations.

Delta Orig

Delta is the firm’s Human Resources Director.

She is responsible for overseeing the planning, development, and management of all aspects related to human resources.