Best Lawyers 2025 - 24 Russell Kennedy Lawyers recognised across 20 areas of law.
Russell Kennedy Lawyers continues to increase its recognition year on year, with 24 lawyers across 20 areas of law being acknowledged in the 2025 edition of Best Lawyers in Australia.
Anita Courtney has been recognised as Lawyer of the Year, Melbourne Retirement Villages and Senior Living Law. Anita Courtney has been consistently recognised in Melbourne for Health and Aged Care Law, Retirement Villages and Senior Living Law since 2020.
Principal, Kyle Gillan a first-time recipient, has been acknowledged in Melbourne for Government Practice, with four members of our team also being recognised for their expertise in Government Practice.
Among the 24 lawyers recognised, nine are listed across multiple specialties. Notably, six are listed in Retirement Villages and Senior Living Law, with a Russell Kennedy team member been recognised as Lawyer of the Year in 7 out of the past 8 years, highlighting the firm’s leadership in this area.
The future looks bright, with both Jack Davis and Elyn Lucas recognised as Ones to Watch.
Best Lawyers lists are compiled through thorough peer-review surveys, where tens of thousands of top lawyers confidentially evaluate their professional peers.
Russell Kennedy congratulates the following individuals:
The Best Lawyers in Australia (2025 Edition)
LAWYER OF THE YEAR
Melbourne
- Anita Courtney (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2020) Retirement Villages and Senior Living Law
BEST LAWYERS
Melbourne
- Matthew Beazley – (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2014) Land Use and Zoning Law, Planning and Environmental Law
- John Corcoran AM – (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2012) Commercial Law Health and Aged Care Law Real Property Law, Retirement Villages and Senior Living Law
- Anita Courtney – (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2020) Health and Aged Care Law, Retirement Villages and Senior Living Law
- Michael Dowling – (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021) Real Property Law
- Kathryn Elleman – (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2014) Real Property Law, Retirement Villages and Senior Living Law
- Stefan Fiedler – (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2014) Land Use and Zoning Law
- Kyle Gillan - (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2025) Government Practice
- Michael Gorton AM – (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2011) Corporate / Governance Practice, Health and Aged Care Law Non-Profit / Charities Law
- Victor Harcourt – (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2012) Government Practice, Health and Aged Care Law, Retirement Villages and Senior Living Law
- Ben Lloyd – (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2021) Government Practice
- Rory Maguire – (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2022) Commercial Law, Mergers and Acquisitions Law
- Sarah Manly – (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2020) Government Practice
- Mark McKinley – (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2023) Real Property Law
- Libby Pallot – (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2014) Employee Benefits Law
- Ian Pridgeon – (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2020) Land Use and Zoning Law
- Donna Rayner – (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2013) Retirement Villages and Senior Living Law
- Darren Seidl – (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2022) Insurance Law
- Andrew Sherman – (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2012) Land Use and Zoning Law, Planning and Environmental Law and Water Law
- Rosemary Southgate – (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2012) Real Property Law, Retirement Villages and Senior Living Law
- Samantha Taylor – (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2022) Real Property Law
Sydney
- Rohan Harris – (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2022) Corporate Law
- Amy Jenkins – (Recognized in Best Lawyers since 2022) Family Law
Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Australia (2025 Edition)
ONES TO WATCH
Melbourne
- Jack Davis - (Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Australia since 2023) Litigation
- Elyn Lucas - (Recognized in Best Lawyers: Ones to Watch in Australia since 2025) Insolvency and Reorganization Law
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