Meet our Land Development and Compulsory Acquisitions Team

Best Hooper
24 November 2021

Best Hooper is excited to announce the expansion of our Land Development and Compulsory Acquisitions Team with the addition of Jonathan Hourigan (Senior Associate) and Taryn Parkinson (Lawyer). We have successfully evolved this team over the years by providing valued legal advice, representation and strategy during the course of ownership and development.

We understand that the development cycle of any land project involves multiple elements including both legal and practical challenges when dealing with councils, public authorities, adjoining landowners and inherent issues with the property.

Even if everything seems to be running smoothly there is always a question about whether there was another way that may have been more beneficial.

We partner with owners and developers to provide legal advice and strategy during the development phase of any project. Being at the forefront of the industry, we add value at every stage by considering both legal and commercial considerations to achieve the most favourable outcome given the critical path of any project. This is where our expertise and experience are appreciated by our loyal client base.

We are also industry leaders in representing owners, tenants and other persons affected by compulsory acquisitions and rights to compensation where private land is otherwise required for a public purpose (such planning permit refusals or where there is a loss on sale due to a public reservation).

Joel Snyder Managing Principal

Joel has had broad experience having practised in disputes, planning, acquisitions and land development. This skill set is used to assist clients throughout the development cycle being able to provide full-service to owners and developers who adopt a quasi-project management role.  Joel has a strong commercial and legal approach to explore all options to maximise outcomes for the client.

Jon Hourigan Senior Associate

Jonathan is a full-service property lawyer with comprehensive experience acting for government clients and statutory authorities in large scale project work including acquisitions, disposals & exchanges, land developments, roads subdivisions, easements and leasing.

Ruby Rockman Associate

Ruby primarily focusing on land acquisitions complex property advices (easements, rights of access and subdivisions) and fencing matters including adverse possession applications. Through her experience in all things land and property Ruby frequently assists a range of clients from small scale developers to regular landowners up to some of Victoria’s largest development corporations.

Taryn Parkinson Lawyer

Taryn has commenced her practice in property law with a focus on land acquisition, complex property transactions, and adverse possession. Taryn has a strong background in commercial litigation and property law having previously appeared as a professional advocate in debt recovery proceedings at the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal.

Common areas of practice

We primarily assist owners and developers during the delivery of a project and/or during the period of ownership of land. Common areas of practice include:

• Land Acquisition and Compensation
• Planning Compensation (i.e. Loss on Sales Claims and Permit Refusals)
• Drafting and Interpretation of Section 173 Agreements
• Negotiations with Councils and Public Authority
• Development and Infrastructure Contributions Plans
• Delivery of Public and Private Infrastructure
• Adverse Possession
• GAIC, MSA Levy and Windfall Gains Tax
• Public Open Space Contributions
• Valuations and Disputes
• Complex Subdivisions
• Development Agreements
• Access arrangements including easements, laneway and road status, and licences
• Purchase of public roads and laneways

Being Victoria’s leading lawyers in Property, Planning and Land Development with one of the deepest histories, we have a strong client and referral base of all types. There is a reason why our practice is only generated through industry recognition and word of mouth. We partner with all types of clients from first-time owners or developers to Victoria’s most prominent.

We are at the forefront of the development industry and continuously recognised as industry leaders in a variety of publications, including Doyles Guide and Best Lawyers.

Best Hooper has a range of teams that have developed unique expertise over our rich history to facilitate all parts of the development cycle – at Best Hooper we live and love all things property!