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+61 8 8215 4200 cl@crawfordlegal.com.au

Level 4, 191 Pulteney Street, Adelaide

Clarity. Confidence.

Trusted advisors in corporate,
commercial and construction law.

How we can help

Ranked by Doyle’s Guide

  • First Tier Construction 2026
  • Recommended Corporate 2026
  • Recommended Tech, Media & Telco 2025

Services

Five practices.
One commercial view.

From start-ups to publicly listed companies, we assist with local, national and international matters.

Our approach

Commercial thinking. Legal expertise. Practical outcomes.

We have a first-hand understanding of the day to day challenges faced by our clients and their businesses, built from our significant and varied experience acting as trusted advisors to our clients.

Two people in conversation across a table in a warmly lit meeting room, viewed through glazing from a dark concrete foyer.

In practice

Four principles,
plainly put.

We start with the business

From start-ups to publicly listed companies, we engage and work with individuals and businesses in all sectors — on local, national and international matters.

We write so it can be understood

We are experienced in documenting major projects and providing strategic advice. Even the most complex deal can be documented in terms that are easily understood.

We would rather prevent than cure

Our commercial expertise allows us to identify problems which may give rise to disputes in the future, and to advise on how best to avoid them.

We resolve without protracted litigation where we can

Where disputes do arise, our strength is strategic advice on how to navigate them and achieve sound commercial outcomes — including through mediation, expert determination and arbitration.

Experience

A track record
of complex matters.

Matters and values are as published by Crawford Legal and describe the firm’s role and the project or claim value. They are not statements of outcome.

The New Royal Adelaide Hospital at dusk, its glazed façade lit from within.
$2.1b

New Royal Adelaide Hospital

Public Private Partnership · Construction

A high pressure gas transmission pipeline running out over water at sunset.
>$1b

SeaGas Pipe Line Project

“Turnkey” contracts, Victoria to Adelaide · Construction

A multi-lane motorway interchange curving toward a city skyline at dusk.
$1b

Northern Connector

Infrastructure · Construction

$350m

SA Super Schools Project

Public Private Partnership · Construction

$300m

Adelaide Airport Project

Head Contract, new terminal · Construction

$300m

WA Super Schools Project

Public Private Partnership · Construction

$142m

Landmark South Australian project

Development Agreement for sale · Construction

$30m

Virgin Australia Aerobridges

Brisbane Airport redevelopment · Construction

$14m

Beerenberg Facility

Construction

$12.5m

Deed of company arrangement

Directors’ duties defence · Disputes

>$7m

Defective manufacturing machinery

Supreme Court claim, UK manufacturer · Disputes

>$2.5m

Creditor preference claims

Liquidators of large corporate groups · Disputes

Specialist industries

Nine sectors we know
from the inside.

With a proven track record of providing high quality, cost-effective legal services, we engage and work with individuals and businesses in all sectors.

  • Building and Construction
  • Technology
  • Agribusiness and Food
  • Manufacturing and Engineering
  • Health
  • Defence
  • Retail
  • Dispute Resolution
  • Succession Planning

Recognition

As ranked by
Doyle’s Guide.

Our construction team is consistently recognised as “First Tier” in South Australia.

  • Doyle’s Guide 2026 — First Tier, Construction
  • Doyle’s Guide 2026 — Recommended, Corporate
  • Doyle’s Guide 2025 — Recommended, Construction
  • Doyle’s Guide 2025 — Recommended, Technology, Media & Telecommunications
  • Doyle’s Guide 2024 — First Tier, Construction
  • Doyle’s Guide 2024 — Recommended, Construction
  • Doyle’s Guide 2024 — Recommended, Litigation
  • Doyle’s Guide 2023 — First Tier, Construction
  • Doyle’s Guide 2023 — Recommended, Litigation

People

The people you’ll
actually work with.

Eight key contacts across five practices. Select anyone to read their background and get in touch.

Let’s solve what’s next.

Tell us about the project, the transaction or the dispute. We will tell you what we think.

Get in touch
A multistorey concrete frame under construction, tower cranes against a low sun.

01 / 05 — Services

Construction Law

Our construction team is consistently recognised as “First Tier” by Doyle’s Guide in South Australia. We act for clients across Australia in respect of commercial construction and major infrastructure projects.

Projects & delivery

  • Project life issues for major construction projects
  • Tenders and probity requirements
  • Risk management regarding project delivery models
  • Structuring and funding of major project consortiums and joint ventures

Contracts

  • Preparation and management of construction contracts
  • Consultancy agreements
  • Specialist equipment supply contracts
  • ‘Back to back’ obligations and stepping down risk to subcontractors

Payment & disputes

  • Security of payment adjudications
  • Construction disputes, prolongation and acceleration claims
  • Arbitration, mediation and expert determination

Key contacts:

The curved glass façade of a commercial building in warm evening light.

02 / 05 — Services

Corporate and Commercial Law

We assist businesses ranging from start-ups to large corporations with corporate and commercial legal services, across local, national and international transactions. We believe that even the most complex deal can be documented in terms that are easily understood.

Transactions & finance

  • Mergers & acquisitions
  • Corporate finance and capital raisings
  • Property sale and leasing transactions
  • Joint ventures & teaming
  • Business structuring and succession planning

Structure & governance

  • Corporate law & structuring
  • Corporate governance
  • Personal Property Securities issues

Contracts & supply

  • Distribution agreements
  • Commonwealth and Defence contracts
  • Agribusiness supply chains and farm succession
  • Preparation of employment contracts

Technology & IP

  • Intellectual property
  • Technology licensing & transfers
  • Protection and commercialisation of intellectual property and confidential information

Risk & compliance

  • Competition law
  • Legal risk management & training
  • Workplace Health and Safety laws
  • Regulation of organisations registered under the Fair Work (Registered Organisations) Act

Key contacts:

A glazed link bridge spanning two concrete buildings, lit from behind at sunset.

03 / 05 — Services

Dispute Resolution

We act for clients in disputes of all forms throughout Australia, in Federal, Supreme and District Court actions as well as mediation, expert determination and arbitration. Our key strength is providing strategic advice on the best way to navigate through a dispute and to achieve sound commercial outcomes. We recognise that prevention is better than cure.

Commercial & contractual

  • Commercial and contractual disputes
  • Business sale warranty claims
  • Partnership disputes
  • Product liability

Corporate & insolvency

  • Corporate law, directors’ duties and shareholder disputes
  • Corporate and personal insolvency
  • Regulatory compliance and investigations

Property, IP & estates

  • Real property and leasing
  • Intellectual property litigation and breach of confidence matters
  • Estate and beneficiary claims

Workplace & urgent relief

  • Industrial dispute resolution
  • Urgent injunctions

Key contacts:

People crossing a stone-floored commercial lobby, long shadows from low sun.

04 / 05 — Services

Employment Law

Employment and workplace relations law in Australia is complex and ever changing. We work strategically with employers in small, medium and large businesses to assist them in understanding their workplace obligations, rights and available protections — balancing commercial requirements and goals within the statutory and regulatory framework of the Australian workplace relations system.

Contracts & agreements

  • Employment contracts and individual flexibility agreements
  • Independent contractor agreements
  • Negotiating and drafting Enterprise Agreements
  • Executive incentive schemes and bonuses

Entitlements & awards

  • Modern Award coverage, classification and conditions
  • Employee entitlements, performance and conduct
  • Casual conversion obligations

Claims & disputes

  • Unfair dismissal and general protections claims
  • Underpayment of wages and entitlements claims

Change & exits

  • Terminations, corporate restructures and redundancies
  • Post-employment obligations and restraints
  • Employment issues in sale of business transactions
  • Workplace policies and procedures

Key contact:

Two people talking across a table in a warmly lit meeting room seen from a concrete foyer.

05 / 05 — Services

Wealth Management

We provide wealth management services to individuals, family groups and privately owned businesses. We work with our clients to plan and document inter-generational succession within family held companies, with a focus on restructuring and asset protection.

Estate planning

  • Wills & testamentary trusts
  • Powers of attorney and advance care directives
  • Estate administration and disputes

Structures & asset protection

  • Family and unit trusts
  • Asset protection and structuring
  • Structuring & restructuring

Succession & tax

  • Buy sell agreements
  • Superannuation
  • State taxes

Key contact:

Managing Partner

Victor Daminato

Victor is a founding member of Crawford Legal, our Managing Partner and our key contact for commercial construction law (front end and disputes), major infrastructure projects and commercial dispute resolution.

Victor has acted on some of the largest and highest profile construction projects in South Australia and other significant projects across Australia. Doyle’s Guide recognises him as “Preeminent” for construction law in South Australia.

Victor is regarded highly for his strategic advice at all phases of commercial construction projects. Victor has the technical skills and expertise to help develop the most suitable project delivery model and then to prepare clear and precise contractual documents to give effect to that model and the agreed allocation of project risk. Victor has significant experience in preparing and negotiating tenders and bids for large projects, including to ensure the requirements of project financiers can be satisfied without undermining the agreed risk allocation between the principal and lead contractor.

When disputes arise, clients find value in Victor’s deep knowledge of construction law principles. He is especially skilled at formulating strategies to resolve disputes without the parties becoming embroiled in protracted litigation and is a strong advocate of alternative dispute resolution processes in a construction law context.

Specialisation

  • Construction agreements
  • Project life advice on major projects, including PPP Projects and airport developments
  • Sale and development of commercial properties
  • Major plant and machinery supply contracts
  • Commercial and contractual disputes

Experience

  • Over 32 years’ experience in the legal construction industry.
  • A Partner in an Adelaide firm, practising construction law and major commercial litigation.
  • A Partner in a national firm as the head of construction law practice.
  • Recognised as “Preeminent” for construction law in South Australia by Doyle’s Guide.

Partner

Adam Gamble

Adam joined Crawford Legal in 2010 and is one of our key contacts for corporate and commercial law and construction law.

Adam is the head of Crawford Legal’s Corporate and Commercial team. He has expertise in corporate and commercial advice and transactions, joint ventures and teamings, large engineering and project contracts, financing, property projects, commercial leasing and intellectual property. Adam has been involved in several PPP projects.

Adam also assists the construction team in dealing with Joint Venture and financing matters on construction projects, including Builder Side Deeds and banking facilities which relate to project bonding.

Adam has previously worked in commercial law firms in Adelaide and London. He continues to act as virtual general legal counsel to key clients (including defence, engineering and technology clients).

Adam is rated as a leading lawyer for technology matters and as a recommended commercial lawyer in Doyles Guide.

Specialisation

  • Mergers & Acquisitions
  • Corporate law & structuring
  • Intellectual property
  • Construction contracts
  • Joint ventures & teamings
  • Technology licensing & transfers
  • Property projects, commercial leasing

Experience

  • As the principal of a specialist commercial law firm.
  • In the London office of an international law firm, on capital markets work for investment banks.
  • With an Adelaide commercial law firm, on corporate, commercial, finance and intellectual property work.
  • As an associate to a judge of Supreme Court of South Australia.

Partner

Mark Jackson

Mark brings a commercial and practical approach to analysing disputes, having previously been the Head of Legal with an ASX-listed company during a period of major financial and operational challenges.

Mark has extensive experience in large and complex disputes, and is particularly skilled at quickly getting to the core of difficult problems. Acting throughout all Australian jurisdictions, Mark specialises in general commercial disputes, including in contract, building and construction, professional negligence, trade practices, Corporations Act claims, directors’ duties and partnership disputes.

Mark is recognised by Doyle’s Guide as a leading commercial litigation dispute resolution lawyer in the South Australian market, a preeminent construction disputes lawyer in South Australia (2021 - 2025), a recommended construction disputes lawyer nationally (2022 - 2025), and a recommended insolvency solicitor in 2024.

Specialisation

  • Commercial and contractual disputes
  • Corporate law, directors’ duties and shareholder disputes
  • Corporate and personal insolvency
  • Regulatory compliance and investigations
  • Construction disputes
  • Product and professional liability claims
  • Agribusiness disputes

Experience

  • The Head of Legal and Compliance for an ASX-listed company.
  • As a senior associate in an Adelaide litigation firm.
  • As a solicitor in the dispute resolution team of an Adelaide law firm.

Partner

Tom Pledge

Tom has been practising in commercial and property law for more than 20 years, acting as a trusted legal advisor for high net wealth individuals and large and small businesses.

Tom‘s experience extends across a broad range of areas and industries, including acting on major commercial property projects (sales, acquisitions, leasing and development), acting as virtual in-house counsel for a number of large privately owned and diversified groups operating in locations throughout Australia, acting for major retailers (including grocery and motor vehicles), acting for licenced hospitality businesses, acting for franchised businesses, and working with accountants and financial service providers to provide their clients with strategic and commercial legal support.

Tom has particular expertise in complicated business and land structuring and restructuring, business and family succession planning, and property and business acquisitions and sales. Tom regularly advises on a range of State taxation issues including stamp duty, land tax and payroll tax.

Tom is recognised in Doyle’s Guide for commercial and business law in South Australia.

Specialisation

  • Commercial advice & agreements
  • Tax advice
  • Wills & testamentary trusts
  • Trusts
  • Structuring & buy sell agreements
  • Corporate finance & capital raisings

Experience

  • As a senior associate in the commercial and tax team of an Adelaide law firm.

Partner

Luke Corletto

Luke is an experienced practitioner with expertise in commercial property matters and general commercial transaction advice. Luke provides general advice to clients on bank documentation and loan facility arrangements. He has expertise in respect of Personal Property Securities Act registrations and enforcement.

Luke has gained an understanding and expertise in the aviation and motor vehicle industries.

Luke has completed secondments with the Australian subsidiary of a UK listed entity where he assisted in negotiating and finalising airport leases, equipment acquisition and hire contracts, major maintenance, repair and overhaul agreements, and software development agreements across multiple international jurisdictions.

Luke also provides advice in respect of due diligence and merger and acquisition documentation. Luke regularly prepares and negotiates commercial lease documentation and land sale contracts, including lease disclosure materials.

Luke’s expertise in Corporate Law has been recognised in Doyle’s Guide for South Australia (2021 – 2023).

Specialisation

  • Property matters including commercial leasing
  • Personal property security legislation
  • Corporate law & structuring
  • Intellectual property
  • Service and supply agreements

Experience

  • Secondments with the Australian subsidiary of a UK listed entity, negotiating and finalising major equipment acquisition, software development and engineering related contracts.
  • Board Member of the South Australian Italian Association.

Partner

Craig Frinsdorf

Craig’s in-house and private practice experience over 17 years allows an honest, practical and astute approach to construction matters, with that approach aimed at resolving disputes in a proactive and commercial manner.

Craig prepares, reviews and provides advice about contract documentation required for civil works and commercial developments / building projects. He also provides contract administration support and guidance throughout the life of the relevant project.

In collaboration with the Commercial Construction and Dispute Resolution teams, Craig provides dispute resolution advice and support in respect of any commercial construction dispute, including having an in-depth understanding of the adjudication processes established under the Security of Payment regimes throughout Australia.

Craig has had the benefit of working with, and acting for, principals / owners, builders, subcontractors, consultants and contract administrators / superintendents so is familiar with the different challenges parties face throughout the life of the project. Craig enjoys learning about his client’s business so that a strategy can be implemented that best suits the needs of the client, but in a way that encourages a “best for project” approach.

Specialisation

  • Construction agreements
  • Project life advice on major projects
  • Security of payment legislation
  • Commercial and contractual disputes

Experience

  • In an Adelaide law firm, providing construction law advice and dispute resolution assistance.
  • In the construction team of a national law firm in Melbourne.
  • As Group Legal Counsel (based in Melbourne) for an internationally renowned architectural firm.
  • As Senior Legal Counsel on a large infrastructure project providing advice to a joint venture building company.

Partner

Sasha Keats

Sasha has over 17 years’ experience, including as a principal of a specialist commercial law firm and as a workplace relations consultant with Business SA.

Sasha advises businesses in a range of industries on matters relating to the employment and termination of employment and independent contractor arrangements, modern award and enterprise agreement drafting, interpretation and compliance, review and preparation of workplace policies and procedures, negotiation and settlement of underpayment of wages and entitlements allegations and advice relating to employee entitlements and conditions of employment, conduct and performance management, workplace investigations, restraint of trade protection and employment considerations in sale of business agreements.

Sasha regularly acts for employers on documenting employment and independent contractor arrangements and handling employment and workplace relations disputes.

Sasha assists employer clients in responding to various employment and workplace relations claims, including general protections, unfair dismissal, unlawful termination, underpayment of wages and employee entitlements claims.

Specialisation

  • Unfair dismissal, general protections and underpayment of wages and entitlements claims
  • Employment contracts, individual flexibility agreements and Enterprise Agreements
  • Executive incentive schemes and bonuses
  • Employment policies, procedures and post-employment obligations
  • Award coverage, classifications, entitlements and terms and conditions of employment
  • Strategic planning pertaining to terminations, corporate restructures and redundancies
  • Management of employee performance and conduct
  • Independent Contractor Agreements

Experience

  • A workplace relations consultant with South Australia’s peak Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
  • The principal of a specialist commercial law firm.

Senior Dispute Resolution Manager

Lisa Gamble

Lisa’s experience covers a wide range of commercial disputes including product liability claims, professional negligence, property and leasing matters, partnership and shareholder disputes, protection and enforcement of intellectual property rights (breach of confidence and copyright), and general contractual disputes. Lisa also assists clients with insurance claim declinatures.

Lisa has a track record of successfully resolving claims at an early stage through negotiation and effective use of alternative dispute resolution processes.

Before Lisa joined Crawford Legal, she worked on large project litigation including the HIH Royal Commission. She subsequently worked as a Principal of a specialist litigation and investigative law firm, on local, national and international commercial litigation. Lisa applies the technical and commercial skills that she developed in these roles to provide her clients with sound advice, practical options, and where necessary robust advocacy.

Specialisation

  • Commercial disputes
  • Corporate disputes and prosecutions
  • Intellectual property litigation and breach of confidence matters
  • Product liability

Experience

  • The HIH Royal Commission — large project litigation.
  • Local, national and international commercial litigation, as a Principal of a specialist litigation and investigative law firm.

Experience

Matters we’ve acted on.

Construction $2.1 billion

New Royal Adelaide Hospital — Public Private Partnership.

Construction >$1 billion

SeaGas Pipe Line Project — preparation of “turnkey” contracts for a high pressure gas transmission pipeline from Victoria to Adelaide, and compressor stations.

Construction $1 billion

Northern Connector.

Construction $350 million

SA Super Schools Project — Public Private Partnership.

Construction $300 million

Adelaide Airport Project — negotiating and drafting terms of the Head Contract for the new Adelaide Airport Terminal.

Construction $300 million

WA Super Schools Project.

Construction $142 million

Negotiating and drafting the terms of a Development Agreement for the sale of a landmark South Australian project.

Construction $30 million

Virgin Australia Aerobridges Redevelopment, Brisbane Airport.

Construction $14 million

Beerenberg Facility.

Construction

Acting for builders in numerous PPP projects throughout Australia, including design and construction contracts and joint venture issues.

Construction

Drafting a design and construction contract for the first Green Star and ABGR rated multistorey buildings in South Australia.

Construction

Preparing an integrated fitout agreement for a 10,000m² State Government tenancy in South Australia’s first Green Star rated building.

Construction

Preparing a design and construct contract for a reverse osmosis water filtration plant in Broken Hill.

Construction

Acting for the operator of 10 Water Treatment Plants in South Australia in a Supreme Court claim about defective design and construction work.

Construction

Acting for the owner and operator of a South Australian power station in a Supreme Court dispute about liquidated damages and performance issues.

Corporate

National defence and international aviation services company, including in respect of major projects.

Corporate

Australia’s largest inland intermodal freight facility, including joint venture agreements, leasing and service contracts.

Corporate

Major supermarket retailer, including in relation to the acquisition of seven Coles stores.

Corporate

National Commonwealth defence, aviation and technology projects and contracting.

Corporate

Licensing and commercialisation of software and intellectual property in Australia, the US, the EU, Canada and New Zealand.

Corporate

National packaging manufacturer on the acquisition of additional manufacturing plants and on industrial relations matters.

Corporate

The sale and purchase of various companies, including multinational companies.

Corporate

Landlords and tenants in respect of commercial leasing throughout Australia.

Corporate

Major vehicle dealership groups and service providers.

Corporate

Teamings and joint venture arrangements in the defence, health and technology sectors.

Corporate

Agri-business companies in respect of all of their operations, including land, business and plant and equipment acquisitions.

Corporate

Hospitality clients in relation to the acquisition, leasing and licensing of venues.

Corporate

Accountants and financial advisory practices and their clients.

Corporate

Employment agreements and employee share schemes.

Corporate

Employment disputes and enforcement of restraints.

Corporate

Preparing and negotiating Enterprise Bargaining Agreements for national employers.

Disputes $12.5 million

Defending an application to overturn a deed of company arrangement, and defending directors against claims of misleading and deceptive conduct and breach of duty.

Disputes >$7 million

Acting for a UK manufacturer and distributor in a Supreme Court claim about the supply of defective manufacturing machinery.

Disputes >$2.5 million

Acting for creditors defending preference claims brought by liquidators of large corporate groups in South Australia and Victoria.

Disputes

Southern Expressway — acting for a civil contractor against a Lend Lease subsidiary in a security of payment dispute involving alleged defective and delayed construction.

Disputes

Rundle Mall — acting for a design consultant in a security of payment dispute against the Adelaide City Council regarding the Rundle Mall redevelopment.

Disputes

Acting for a national construction company in a successful application for judicial review arising from a security of payment claim by a contractor.

Disputes

Acting for beneficiaries under a contested Will in Supreme Court of South Australia litigation concerning the ownership and control of a large family business — about 200 employees, approximately 70 properties, and multiple trusts and companies.

Disputes

Acting for minority shareholders in a software development and licensing business in oppression proceedings in the Supreme Court of Victoria.

Disputes

Acting for landlords in leasing, rental and make good disputes throughout Australia.

Employment

Advising on termination disputes and defending unfair dismissal, general protections and underpayment of wages and entitlements claims in the Courts and Tribunals.

Employment

Negotiating and drafting Enterprise Agreements, including for national employers.

Employment

Strategic planning pertaining to terminations, corporate restructures and redundancies.

Employment

Advising on post-employment obligations and protections relating to confidential information and intellectual property.

Employment

Preparation of employment contracts, individual flexibility agreements (IFAs) and workplace policies and procedures.

Employment

Advising on and preparing executive incentive schemes and bonuses.

Employment

Identifying Modern Award coverage and classification, and interpreting Award terms and conditions relating to shifts, loadings, allowances and penalties.

Employment

Advising on employee entitlements and the management of employee performance and conduct.

Employment

Preparation of independent contractor agreements.

Employment

Advising on employment issues in sale of business transactions.

Employment

Advising on casual conversion obligations.

Wealth

Preparing simple and complex wills, including testamentary trusts, for high net worth individuals.

Wealth

Preparing buy/sell agreements and shareholder agreements for large privately held companies.

Wealth

Inter-generational family business transfers.

Wealth

Family stakeholder agreements and governance.

Wealth

Resolving contested estates.

Wealth

Obtaining stamp duty exemptions for inter-generational transfers of farming land.

Matters and values are as published by Crawford Legal and describe the firm’s role and the project or claim value. They are not statements of outcome.