Meet our new partner - Nick Thomas

Key Points:

Our new partner in environment law, Nick Thomas, thinks he's working in one of the most exciting areas around.

"Environmental law is proliferating at an amazing rate - it's become a very complex web of legislation, regulatory instruments, policy statements and case law, at both Federal and State level. What's more, there's an almost constant flow of new law and policy, which means it's critically important to be aware of daily developments. It's very satisfying to navigate this web to provide clear, sensible solutions for our clients."

It's not just the speed that Nick likes. "The broad mix is one reason I love my work. Environmental law affects almost every area of business and community activity, so there's great variety in the context for our work. I act for clients across a broad range of industries, and a number of State and Federal Government clients, so I look at the key legal and policy issues from different perspectives."

Nick has been tracking the development of water law and policy since before the emergence of the National Water Initiative in 2004, and has advised on several different regulatory regimes in this time. He's also been advising on the sharp edges of sustainability for several years, anticipating the direction which some of the courts have taken in recent months.

"Basically, I'm passionate about the environment, but I'm also passionate about improving people's lives, and the essential role which the economy and industry play in achieving this. For me, environmental law is about being smarter in how we do things."

"Helping clients manage risk is an essential part of a lawyer's job. Environmental law gives risk an interesting dimension, with its focus on public participation and its broadscale use of criminal enforcement. We need to address not only on the risks but also the opportunities which environmental law and policy present."

Away from work, Nick's main focus is his family, and particularly in raising his two young sons to appreciate his other passions, hiking, music and rugby.