The addition of Chloe Costas and Sarah Pearce enhance the firm’s strategic capabilities
Maddocks has strengthened its government practice in Canberra with the appointment of two new special counsel to its real estate and probity teams.
Chloe Costas has joined the firm’s real estate team, bringing experience from MinterEllison in and Eversheds Sutherland in the UK. Costas has advised on major leasing, acquisitions, disposals, and development projects across commercial, industrial, and build-to-rent residential properties both nationally and internationally. Her expertise includes working with corporate landlords, government tenants, investors, and property developers.
Sarah Pearce has been appointed to Maddocks’ probity team, joining from Proximity. Pearce has experience in probity, commercial law, and procurement, having advised government clients on complex procurements and grants processes. She previously led Proximity’s probity practice, working with Commonwealth and ACT Government clients on probity frameworks, conflict of interest matters, and multi-stage procurement processes.
The additions bring the number of special counsel in Maddocks’ Canberra office to eight.
“We are delighted to welcome Chloe and Sarah to our team. Their expertise across real estate and strategic probity and process will significantly enhance our capabilities and help us continue to provide our clients with exceptional legal support,” said Maddocks’ commonwealth sector leader Simonetta Astolfi. “These appointments reflect our commitment to investing in our people and ensuring we have the right teams in place to deliver on strategically important matters.”
The appointments come amid a period of growth for Australia’s real estate legal sector. According to a report from Thomson Reuters, the 2024 financial year saw a 7.5% increase in total hours worked across law firms, with the real estate sector benefiting from strong transactional demand. Economic stability and industry reorganization have driven demand, particularly in Melbourne, Perth, and Brisbane. The sector has also seen increased investment in technology, including generative AI, as firms navigate evolving client needs and regulatory landscapes.
