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David McLaren

Partner

Brisbane

David is a Partner in Public Law at Mills Oakley, and leads the Public Law team in Brisbane. David has a breadth of experience working for Commonwealth Government clients.

This includes advising and acting in judicial and merits review proceedings for Commonwealth agencies such as the Department of Home Affairs, Services Australia and the National Disability Insurance Agency, advising and acting in enforcement matters for the Australian Securities and Investments Commission, advising on and undertaking legislative drafting for the Department of Home Affairs, and acting as solicitor assisting the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor in relation to legislative reviews.

  • +61 7 3228 0438

Memberships, Accreditation and Activities

  • Bachelor of Laws (Hons 1), Australian National University, 2009
  • Bachelor of Arts, Australian National University, 2009
  • Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, Australian National University, 2011
  • Admitted to the Supreme Court of the ACT and High Court of Australia, 2011.

Expertise

David’s expertise includes:

  • advising on complex legal issues relating to statutory interpretation for Australian Government clients
  • advising on administrative decision-making principles, including good decision-making, natural justice, and drafting reasons for decision
  • managing merits review, judicial review and enforcement litigation for Australian Government clients, including acting as solicitor advocate
  • acting for an Australian Government regulator in enforcement proceedings
  • undertaking legislative drafting and related work for Australian Government clients
  • acting for Australian Government clients in legislative reviews.

Recent Matters

  • acting for Australian Government clients in the Federal Court of Australia and Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia in judicial review proceedings
  • acting for Australian Government clients in the Administrative Appeals Tribunal in merits review proceedings
  • acting for the Child Support Registrar in relation to debt enforcement matters in the Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia
  • acting as solicitor assisting the Independent National Security Legislation Monitor in a number of legislative reviews
  • providing training to decision-makers on good decision-making principles.

Memberships, Accreditation & Activities

  • Bachelor of Laws (Hons 1), Australian National University, 2009
  • Bachelor of Arts, Australian National University, 2009
  • Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice, Australian National University, 2011
  • Admitted to the Supreme Court of the ACT and High Court of Australia, 2011.