Business Details
Trusted Local Government Legal Experts in Western Australia
McLeods Lawyers is Western Australia's premier legal firm specialising in local government law, with four decades of experience representing local governments across the state. Our practice areas encompass planning and environment, property and development, compliance and enforcement, governance and administrative law, commercial law, employment and safety law, rates and debt recovery, and litigation and dispute resolution. We combine deep industry knowledge with a client-focused approach, delivering practical and robust legal solutions tailored to the unique challenges faced by local governments. Our team of dedicated legal professionals includes leading experts in their fields, many of whom have taught university courses in administrative, constitutional, and planning law.As a preferred supplier to the Western Australian Local Government Association and a foundation sponsor of LG Professionals WA, we maintain strong connections with industry bodies while providing support through all stages of legal processes. Our commitment to excellence is demonstrated through our extensive experience in thousands of planning law cases, native title settlements, and high-profile litigation, ensuring clients receive informed, timely, and effective legal representation.
Services
Planning and environment
Property and development
Compliance and enforcement
Governance and administrative law
Commercial law
Employment and safety law
Rates and debt recovery
Litigation and dispute resolution
Native title matters
Heritage law
Highlights and features
- We offer 40 years of dedicated local government legal expertise
- Our team includes leading practitioners in planning and native title law
- We provide practical solutions grounded in deep regulatory understanding
- We deliver timely legal services with proven efficiency
- We offer comprehensive support through all stages of legal processes
Associations and certifications
- Western Australian Local Government Association (WALGA)
- LG Professionals WA
Services
Planning and environment
Our planning and environment law services cover development applications, heritage protection, environmental compliance, and land acquisition matters. We provide expert advice on local planning schemes, development contribution plans, and infrastructure cost-sharing arrangements. With decades of experience in thousands of planning law cases, we offer comprehensive legal representation before the State Administrative Tribunal and Supreme Court.
Compliance and enforcement
We specialise in local government compliance and enforcement matters including prosecution preparation, statutory notices, and alternative dispute resolution. Our dedicated enforcement team handles planning, building, and environmental law violations with a proven track record of successful prosecutions and cost-effective compliance solutions across Western Australia.
Native title matters
Our native title practice covers land claims, Indigenous Land Use Agreements, and heritage protection matters. We represent local governments in major native title settlements and have acted in landmark cases including the Miriuwung Gajerrong proceedings. Our team includes specialists with decades of experience in Aboriginal heritage law negotiations and settlements.
Governance and administrative law
We provide expert advice on local government governance including council procedures, freedom of information, election processes, and corruption investigations. Our services cover drafting local laws, handling complaints to the Standards Panel, and advising on council member conduct and contractual arrangements with comprehensive legal support.
Litigation and dispute resolution
Our litigation practice protects local government interests through robust representation in planning appeals, administrative reviews, and enforcement proceedings. We handle Supreme Court appeals, State Administrative Tribunal reviews, and complex disputes involving development approvals, rate recovery, and regulatory compliance with strategic legal solutions tailored to municipal needs.
People
David Nicholson
Managing Partner
Leading local government lawyer with extensive experience in property and development law. Oversees key practice areas and provides strategic direction for the firm's legal services to Western Australian municipalities.
Denis McLeod
Partner
Recognised planning law expert with decades of experience in environmental and heritage matters. Previously served as Acting Commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission and continues to shape legal frameworks for local governments.
Peter Wittkuhn
Partner
Specialises in native title and Aboriginal heritage law, with significant involvement in major land claim settlements. Provides expert legal representation in complex indigenous law matters across Western Australia.
Neil Douglas
Partner
Governance and administrative law specialist with extensive experience in local government operations. Former Acting Commissioner of the Corruption and Crime Commission, providing expert advice on council procedures and regulatory compliance.
Craig Slarke
Partner
Experienced planning and development lawyer with deep knowledge of local government legal frameworks. Provides strategic legal advice on complex planning matters and development approvals across Western Australia.
Questions
What areas of law does McLeods Lawyers specialise in?
We specialise in local government law including planning, environment, compliance, governance, commercial matters, employment law, and native title issues.
How long has McLeods Lawyers been operating?
Our firm has been providing legal services to Western Australian local governments for 40 years.
Do you handle native title and Aboriginal heritage matters?
Yes, we have extensive experience in native title settlements and Aboriginal heritage law, including major cases across Western Australia.
What makes McLeods Lawyers different from other law firms?
We are WA's only firm focused exclusively on local government law with a dedicated enforcement team and university-trained legal experts.
Can you assist with planning law litigation?
Our experienced team regularly represents local governments in planning-related litigation before the Supreme Court and State Administrative Tribunal.
