GRT Lawyers

We navigate the legal landscape for your business success

About GRT Lawyers

GRT Lawyers is an astute and trusted advisor working collaboratively with clients to simplify and solve complex legal and business problems. Clients are at the heart of everything we do.

We take the time to understand our client’s goals. We are proactive and responsive, and we have the experience to successfully achieve specific corporate outcomes for our clients.

For over a decade of dedicated service as corporate and litigation specialists, GRT Lawyers has firmly established itself as astute and trusted advisors in the legal profession. The firm has honed its craft, building a reputation for solving complex legal and business problems with precision and finesse.

GRT is your business partner if you are preparing for an initial public offering, dealing with a hostile takeover, or structuring a capital raising initiative. We can help you achieve growth by acquisition, commercialising technology and strengthening a balance sheet through divestment. Contact us for assistance in developing and executing your optimum corporate strategy or defusing a large dispute.

Our unique approach, business model and client focused culture sets us apart and inspires our people to deliver the highest standard of service and outcomes for our clients.

The GRT approach is simple: we invest in our clients, grow their business, and protect their assets.

Join our journey

Whether you’re a multinational corporation or a budding startup, GRT Lawyers welcomes you to experience legal partnership like never before. With a legacy of excellence spanning 12 years, we’re committed to propelling your business forward and ensuring your legal challenges are met with unmatched expertise. Discover how the power of seasoned experience, innovative thinking, and client-centric values can transform the way you receive legal services. Reach out to us today and embark on a journey that’s defined by collaboration, growth, and unwavering legal support.

GRT Lawyers

Our expertise

At GRT Lawyers, we understand the complexities of corporate law and dispute resolution, and the significant impact they can have on your business. Our dedicated team offers bespoke legal services, drawing upon a wealth of experience to strategically navigate intricate legal frameworks and potentially contentious situations.

Whether you’re dealing with mergers, acquisitions, capital markets, or navigating through a dispute, we provide insightful guidance and robust representation tailored to your unique circumstances. We strive to protect your interests and position your business for continued success, even amidst the most challenging legal landscapes.

Corporate

We deliver innovative and strategic legal solutions that drive success, safeguarding your corporation’s interests while navigating complex corporate law.

Global Focus

We work with law firms around the world on behalf of organisations seeking to grow their business across boarders.

See more here...

Corporate Advisory

We support your business journey - from IPOs and acquisitions to organic growth and divestments.

See more here...

Capital Markets

GRT expertly guides your capital raising endeavours with expert capital markets knowledge.

See more here...

Secondary Capital Raising

We provide strategic legal advice for IPOs and secondary listings, facilitating your seamless entry into the public markets.

See more here...

Mergers and Acquisitions

Our highly experienced team optimises shareholder value in mergers, acquisitions, and / or divestments through strategic decision-making support.

See more here...

Takeovers

GRT’s experience on takeover matters gives us a unique position to guide boards and executives successfully through any type of takeover – friendly or hostile.

See more here...

Financial Services Governance, Regulation and Compliance

GRT's experience covers the entire corporate governance, financial regulation and financial crime compliance spectrum.

See more here...

Litigation and Dispute Resolution

The GRT Litigation and Disputes team proactively assists clients to resolve contentious matters and reach commercial outcomes where appropriate. The team has the skills and experience to pre-empt and defuse disputes before they become costly and cause reputational damage.

If litigation or arbitration is unavoidable, the Litigation and Disputes team has a proven track record of successfully undertaking the most technically challenging matters. Our experience gained in global and top-tier law firms enable us to tackle the most complex legal disputes competently and fearlessly.

We provide clients with cost effective and outcome focused strategies.

Commercial Disputes

GRT is well-equipped to assist you with your commercial disputes, whether arising in contract, construction, commercial, or insolvency.

See more here...

Corporate Disputes

We have significant experience acting for clients in disputes concerning directors’ duties, shareholder actions, trustees and unitholders disputes, and disputes arising from joint ventures, partnerships and other business structures.

See more here...

Class Actions

The GRT Litigation and Disputes Team are well-placed to assist in the conduct and defence of class actions. We are currently acting for a former executive in a high profile Australian Federal Court shareholder class action..

See more here...

Regulatory Investigations and Enforcement Action

Since 2012, GRT has assisted many businesses, directors and officers facing regulatory investigations and enforcement action involving the ATO, ASIC, the ACCC, Takeovers Panel and overseas regulators.

See more here...

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

GRT has the experience and know-how to successfully navigate your company through pre-litigation negotiations, mediation, international commercial arbitration, expert adjudication and other forms of ADR.

See more here...

Referrals/conflicts

GRT regularly assists other law firms in matters where a conflict has arisen with a current or prospective client and/or expert local representation (town agency) is required.

See more here...

International Projects

GRT’s International Projects division focuses on corporate and dispute matters where there is a cross-border aspect. Such matters include commercial arbitrations, expert determinations and mediation in addition to corporate transactions. The International Projects team have existing and ongoing experience in jurisdictions including Mongolia, Canada, Singapore, Hong Kong, Papua New Guinea and Indonesia.

 

The International Projects team assists clients to navigate international jurisdictions seamlessly. We ensure that every client receives unparalleled service to manage projects and legal matters abroad. Whether you’re venturing into new markets or seeking support for ongoing projects, our team is equipped to guide you through the intricacies of global business.

 

Much like the proactive approach of the GRT Litigation and Disputes team in resolving complex legal matters, our International Projects team specialises in anticipating and mitigating the challenges inherent in international projects such as regulatory compliance through to cross-border negotiation. We leverage our expertise to safeguard your success and protect your investment.

 

Supported by GRT’s global network, our International Projects team operate to deliver exceptional service to clients worldwide. Whether you’re a multinational corporation or a local enterprise, you can rely on us to provide tailored solutions that drive results across diverse jurisdictions.

Corporate Advisory

We support your business journey - from IPOs and acquisitions to organic growth and divestments.

See more here...

Financial Services Governance, Regulation and Compliance

GRT's experience covers the entire corporate governance, financial regulation and financial crime compliance spectrum.

See more here...

Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR)

GRT has the experience and know-how to successfully navigate your company through pre-litigation negotiations, mediation, international commercial arbitration, expert adjudication and other forms of ADR.

See more here...

Commercial Disputes

GRT is well-equipped to assist you with your commercial disputes, whether arising in contract, construction, commercial, or insolvency.

See more here...

Latest News

GRT Alert – Privacy Eyes Up:What to expect this August

In August 2024, Australia is due to implement significant amendments to the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth) aimed at modernising data protection laws and aligning them ...

GRT Alert: Treasury released consultation paper on mandatory ACCC merger notification thresholds.

The Federal Government is simplifying Australia’s current approach to merger control, which will be implemented from 1 January 2026. As part of this process, the ...

GRT Alert – September ASX Compliance Update

The ASX has provided a compliance update on the upcoming AGM season and the Annual Report deadline for entities with a 30 June balance date. ...

GRT Foundation

Founded by GRT Lawyers to support the needs of children, young people, and their families, the GRT Foundation is a social enterprise making a significant difference to our local community.

Lawyer

Meghan Bower

Meghan is a dedicated and high-performing graduate joining our commercial disputes team with over 5 years of pre-admission experience handling complex personal injury cases. She brings a comprehensive understanding of legal intricacies and a passion for advocating for her clients.

Throughout her career, Meghan has honed her skills in due diligence work, contract review, advice, ADR and multi-jurisdictional litigation including claims in the Supreme Courts of Queensland, New South Wales, Victoria and the Northern Territory. Her journey in the legal field has been marked by her unwavering commitment to client service and her ability to thrive under pressure. Meghan is on the cusp of becoming a qualified lawyer and is eager to contribute her skills and knowledge to GRT’s specialist litigation team.

Senior Associate

Holly McConnell

Holly is a Senior Associate in our Corporate Advisory group with a particular focus on equity capital markets, public and private mergers and acquisitions and general corporate matters, including compliance with the Corporations Act and ASX Listing Rules.  Holly acts for a range of clients, including listed and unlisted companies, small to large proprietary companies, early stage ventures, individuals and trustees.

Holly was admitted to practice as a solicitor in 2016 and worked for several years in a major national Australian law firm, prior to joining GRT Lawyers.

Associate

Andrew Doak

Andrew begun his legal career as a law clerk in Brisbane in 2008 and continued this through his studies until he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws from Queensland University of Technology in 2011.

He was admitted as a solicitor in 2012 and shortly thereafter moved to London where he worked for global top tier and Magic Circle law firms covering a variety of arbitration and litigation matters. As a highly skilled legal professional, he was responsible for managing multiple teams on document heavy litigation, many of which were centered around energy, commercial, insurance and financial services disputes.

Andrew had worked with senior lawyers and counsel on several high profile and well-publicised cases including class actions, large financial regulatory investigations, and complex international matters before making the decision to return home to Brisbane and join GRT in 2024.

Office Assistant

Lilly Monaghan

Lilly became part of the GRT Lawyers team in October 2022, stepping into the role of Office Assistant. With a wealth of professional experience spanning more than ten years, Lilly has actively contributed in various administrative capacities.

This diverse background equips her with extensive expertise within the realm of administration, strengthening our team and the support provided to GRT Lawyers and the GRT Foundation.

Admin Coordinator

Amelia Milsop

Amelia is a highly skilled professional with seven years of experience working in administrative, and executive support roles. Her diverse skill set includes expertise in administration support, office operations, events management, and marketing. 

As an administrator, Amelia plays a vital role in overseeing day-to-day operations, administration support, streamlining processes, and maintaining efficient workflows. With her extensive experience, diverse skill set, and passion, Amelia brings a unique perspective and a well-rounded approach to her administrative work.

Finance Manager

Chan Hu

Full bio coming soon!

Associate

Dale Copley

Dale began working with GRT Lawyers at the start of 2023 after beginning his legal career with  top-tier firm. He recently retired from professional sports and is relatively new to the legal field, having been admitted in November of 2022.

Dale values the importance of teamwork and advising clients to assist them in achieving their business goals. His experience as a professional athlete has instilled in him the significance of collective efforts and strategic collaboration – qualities that now define his approach to his career in law.

He has a strong interest in equity markets and is acquiring valuable experience by advising on capital raises and various ASX listing rule concerns.

Associate

Rebecca Wei

As an accomplished associate corporate lawyer, Rebecca contributes a fresh perspective and a robust work ethic to our legal team. She has swiftly gained experience in corporate law, demonstrating dedication to assisting clients with their legal needs in an ever-evolving business landscape.

Rebecca specialises in capital market transactional matters, contract drafting, and corporate governance. She has supported senior lawyers in advising a diverse range of clients, including established corporations, startups, and entrepreneurs.

Senior Corporate Advisor

Alana Nisbet

Alana has over 10 years’ experience practicing predominantly in international top tier firms in Australia, London and Guernsey. Her primary practice areas are public and private mergers and acquisitions, equity capital markets and investment funds and she has significant experience advising on complex corporate transactions.

Alana is valued for her exemplary client service and have been ranked as a “Rising Star” for Equity Capital Markets and Mergers & Acquisitions by Legal 500.

Head of International Projects

Amarzaya Gantumur

Amarzaya is the Head of GRT Lawyer’s International Projects Division.

She has over 14 years of experience in the global legal industry in both civil and common law jurisdictions. She has acted as counsel in numerous complex corporate and commercial transactions, and litigation matters, including cross border litigation and international commercial arbitration.

As a common law trained lawyer with working experiences in both civil law and common law jurisdictions, Amarzaya is particularly dedicated to international work due to her international clients and her global network. 

Her recent work experience includes representing a Mongolian state-owned entity in an international commercial arbitration (under SIAC rules); representing an Australian/Philippines entity in an international commercial arbitration (under SIAC rules); providing wide range of legal and technical support to a global mining services company in its operation in Mongolia; providing legal and technical support to a Mongolian financial institute in its operation in Australia.   

Amarzaya graduated from the School of Law, National University of Mongolia in 2004 and holds an LLM (Corporate and Finance Law) from the University of Hong Kong. She is fluent in both English and Mongolian. She was appointed as an arbitrator with the Mongolian International Arbitration Centre in 2022. She is a member of various other professional organizations, including the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb).

Senior Associate

Rachel Hendrie

Rachel is a commercial dispute resolution lawyer who has experience in litigating significant commercial, construction and financial services disputes and in international arbitration. She is experienced with managing document heavy litigation.

Her experience includes assisting major Australian banks in civil penalty proceedings initiated by AUSTRAC in the Federal Court of Australia concerning AML/CTF compliance and fraud investigations, assisting financial services clients with responding to ACCC and ASIC notices including corporate shareholder and contractual disputes for oil and gas clients in Supreme Courts.

Rachel has worked for global top-tier law firms in both Brisbane and Melbourne.

Special Counsel

Alexander Sloan

Alex is a commercial litigator with experience in funded litigation and class actions. He has acted for publicly listed companies (both ASX and SGX), large private companies, litigation funders, SMEs, and company directors in a range of commercial disputes.

His experience includes complex, cross-border financial services litigation, class actions, product liability, insolvencies, and corporate disputes.

Alex has prosecuted and defended claims in the Supreme Courts of New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and the ACT, and in the Federal Court of Australia. He also acted in the Royal Commission into Misconduct in the Banking, Superannuation and Financial Services Industry.

Alex was admitted to practice as a solicitor in 2015 and worked for several years in a national Australian law firm, prior to joining GRT Lawyers in 2021.

General Manager

Aylesha James-Pearson

aylesha.james-pearson@grtlawyers.com
m 0433 555 812

EXPERTISE

  • Business Operations
  • People and Culture
  • Human Resources
  • Marketing
  • Event Coordination
  • Project Management

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Aylesha serves as the General Manager at GRT Lawyers, providing effective leadership and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the firm. In her role, she manages human resources, marketing, events, and directly supervises the Administration team.

Bringing more than 19 years of experience in office management, senior administration, project and event management, as well as human resources, Aylesha has a proven track record of excellence in high-pressure environments. Her wealth of experience and professionalism ensures the seamless functioning of the firm. Aylesha excels in optimizing operational efficiencies by reviewing and implementing systems, policies, and procedures to support business functions, resulting in impactful results. She adopts a holistic approach, balancing a keen eye for detail with a focus on overarching goals.

Aylesha’s passion lies in people and culture, where she actively fosters strong relationships across all levels of the business. She connects with staff to instill the core values of GRT Lawyers and the GRT Foundation, believing in creating value through people. Her approach involves working with passion and understanding, offering support and cultivating relationships that enhance both business and individual performance.

EXPERIENCE


Her career history encompasses multi-faceted roles giving her exposure to the specialty fields of Human Resources, Marketing and Event Management. Roles have included:

  • Human resources, including recruitment, performance management, staffing, new employee onboarding, employee benefits, payroll and training and development.
  • Marketing – including roles involving the development and implementation of marketing and business development strategies.
  • Background in planning internal and external events from conception through to execution, displaying qualities of a successful event planner: thorough yet precise, expert knowledge, ingenuity in identifying and solving problems and clear, concise communication.

“There’s always another level up. There’s always another ascension. More grace, more light, more generosity, more compassion, more to shed, more to grow.” -Elizabeth Gilbert

Director

Ashley Hill

ashley.hill@grtlawyers.com
m 0415 150 866

EXPERTISE

  • Commercial litigation
  • International commercial arbitration
  • Energy – oil, gas, coal, and electricity
  • Product liability – recalls and litigation
  • Resources – water and agribusiness
  • Financial services
  • Insurance – including D&O, PI and BI
  • Regulatory – securities and governance; anti-bribery and anti-corruption
  • Hotel development and management disputes
  • IT industry disputes
  • IP claims including counterfeiting, passing-off, copyright infringement
  • Mediation, Adjudication and Advocacy

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Ashley has in excess of 23 years’ experience as a litigator and disputes lawyer. In his time at GRT Lawyers and working for top-tier Australian and global law firms (in the Middle-East and Singapore), Ashley has acted for clients across multiple continents on complex commercial litigation and international arbitration.

EXPERIENCE

Ashley’s current practice includes investment protection and dispute matters across a number of industry sectors including energy and resources, financial services, technology, agribusiness, tourism, in addition to contentious regulatory, insurance disputes and product liability matters.

The international scope of Ashley’s work has given him a valuable insight into cross-border disputes in common law and civil law jurisdictions. He has practical experience with most of the world’s renowned international commercial arbitration institutions including ICC, LCIA, SIAC, SCC and ICDR/AAA.

Since 2014, Ashley has been listed in ‘Best Lawyers in Australia’ Peer Review for the categories of International Arbitration, Litigation, Insurance and Product Liability.  In 2019, Ashley was added to the Doyle’s Guide Leading Commercial Litigation and Dispute Resolution Lawyers in Queensland.

QUALIFICATIONS

Ashley holds Bachelor Degrees in Law and Arts (University of New England) and he is:

  • a member of the Queensland Law Society (QLS)
  • Executive Council Member of Asia-Pacific Forum for International Arbitration (AFIA)
  • Associate Member of Australian Centre for International Commercial Arbitration (ACICA); and
  • ordinary member of Australian Insurance Law Association (AILA)
Director

Scott Standen

scott.standen@grtlawyers.com
m 0447 790 009

EXPERTISE

  • In depth understanding of the M&A processes (public M&A and private M&A transactions)
  • Public equity capital markets transactions
  • Management of due diligence processes
  • Deep understanding of governance frameworks
  • Corporate structuring
  • Capital structure management
  • Transaction management
 PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Scott is a founder and Director of GRT Lawyers and GRT Foundation and corporate lawyer. He leads a team of specialist legal professionals, providing advice to organisations of all sizes, from middle market, large corporates and government owned corporations.

Scott’s career spans more than 20 years as a corporate lawyer and has encompassed an in-house general counsel role, director of Statutory Authorities and corporate legal adviser to managing directors, chief financial officers and boards of directors of ASX listed companies.

Scott is regularly called on by clients to provide strategic corporate advice to boards of directors and to project manage merger and acquisition transactions and public equity markets transactions. He prides himself in providing technically accurate and commercially focused corporate advice for public, private and listed companies, boards of directors and corporate advisers.

In particular, Scott advises on public equity markets transactions, debt issuances and restructuring, corporate governance and advisory, regulatory compliance, public and private M&A transactions, contract negotiation and directors’ duties and liabilities.

EXPERIENCE

Scott’s experience includes:

  • Advising Cerro Resources Limited in relation to its public market merger and acquisition deal with Canadian based Primero Gold Limited and the concurrent spin out of assets to Santana Metals Limited and listing of Santana Metals Limited on ASX
  • Advising Discovery Metals Limited in relation to its A$250 million debt restructuring and associated equity raisings and proposed convertible note issue
  • Advising Polymetals Limited in relation to its acquisition by Southern Cross Goldfields by way of scheme of arrangement
  • Advising Southern Cross Goldfields Limited in relation to its A$60 million capital raising transaction involving equity, debt and hybrid securities
  • Dual listing on Hong Kong Exchange of ASX listed company
  • ASX listing of Asia focused technology / media company and
  • ASX listing of Apiam Animal Health Limited, vertically integrated provider of services and product to agricultural industry and
  • ASX listing of P2P Transport Limited.

QUALIFICATIONS

Scott holds Bachelor Degrees in Law and Business Administration and a Masters of Law. Scott has previously held positions as a Director on the Boards of the Queensland Manufactured Water Authority (and related entities) and the Queensland Bulk Water Authority (and related entities).

Managing Director

Glenn Vassallo

gv@grtlawyers.com
0422 857 760

EXPERTISE

  • Public capital markets
  • Corporate law
  • Private capital markets
  • Corporate advisory
  • Corporate structuring
  • Complex corporate disputes
  • Social entrepreneurship

PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY

Glenn is a founder of GRT Lawyers and the GRT Foundation. As the Managing Director of GRT Lawyers and chair of the GRT Foundation, Glenn is passionate about working with his highly sophisticated national and international clients to implement their corporate strategy and solve their complex problems.

Glenn is passionate about implementing the corporate strategy of GRT Lawyers and the GRT Foundation. Glenn’s significant experience in formulating and executing complex corporate transactions (including IPOs, takeovers, and other equity capital market transactions) with a particular focus on national and international stock and security exchanges puts him in a unique position to provide excellent advice.

EXPERIENCE

After building GRT Lawyers into a high-quality law firm, and together with his wife Eliza, establishing the GRT Foundation into a sustainable Australian charity, Glenn built GRT App (a subsidiary of GRT Lawyers) and sold that to an ASX listed company. Glenn was the first chairperson of any Australian ASX listed company to successfully chair a real-time virtual meeting of shareholders. He is still today, the only person who has chaired a real-time virtual shareholders meeting for an ASX listed company.

Glenn is often invited to speak on global topics such as capital markets, initial public offerings, takeovers and more recently was invited to New York University to speak at its global conference about social entrepreneurship.

QUALIFICATIONS

Glenn holds a Bachelor Degree of Law (LLB) and a Bachelor Degree of Commerce. He has been a long-standing member of the Law Council of Australia Company Law Committee and the Queensland Law Society Company Law Committee, member of the Australian India Business Council (Energy and Resources – Subcommittee) and has significant ASX listed board experience.