Lesley is a director of the firm and one of the inaugural LIV Commercial Tenancy Law Specialists in Victoria (1999-2015). She practices predominantly in Commercial and Agricultural property transactions, Commercial and Retail leasing, mergers and acquisitions, property related Water Law issues, and can assist with Foreign Investment Review Board matters. She is highly regarded as a technically astute lawyer with a commercial approach. Lesley advises corporate entities, high wealth individual property developers, business owners and agriculturalists and government bodies including water authorities and catchment management authorities.

Lesley is also significantly involved in the management of the firm including compliance and administration.

Lesley has a keen sense of community and serves as Chair of the Committee 4 Greater Shepparton which seeks to advocate for the region and influence public policy (http://www.c4gs.com.au/). She is a community representative on the Goulburn Valley Highway Bypass Action Group (http://greatershepparton.com.au/council/major-projects/bypass/bypass-action-group) and she co-ordinates Dawes & Vary Riordan's volunteering and scholarship program with Wilmott Road Primary School.

Career History:

• 2015 - present - Dawes & Vary Riordan (Shepparton)
• 2004 - 2015 - Dawes & Vary (Shepparton)
• 1998 - 2003 - Riordan Legal (Shepparton)
• 1994 - 1998 - Mallesons Stephen Jacques (ACT)
• 1991 - 1992 - Shepstone & Wylie Tomlinson (South Africa)
• 1989 - 1991 - Livingstone Leandy (South Africa)

Professional Qualifications & Admissions:

• 2018 - Graduate of the Australian Institute of Company Directors
• 1999 - 2015 - LIV Accredited Commercial Tenancy Law Specialist
• 1993 - Graduate Diploma In Legal Practice - College of Law (Sydney)
• 1992 - Graduate Diploma In Legal Practice - University of Technology Sydney (NSW)
• 1989 - LL.B - University of Natal (South Africa)
• 1986 - B.A. - University of Natal (South Africa)

Recent works highlights include:

• Acquisitions / dispositions of land and business including agribusiness enterprises and manufacturing and wholesaling. Recent highlights include acquisition of a nationally recognised food manufacturing facility, a significant orchard enterprise, dairy enterprises and extensive irrigated cropping properties.
• Advising entities delivering irrigation infrastructure upgrade programs under the Commonwealth Government's "On-Farm Irrigation Efficiency Grant Program", including advising on the terms of funding agreements, advising on proposed delivery models, and preparation of form of contracts for the roll-out of the programs to date totalling $183 Million.