As a director of the firm and one of the inaugural LIV Commercial Tenancy Law Specialists in Victoria (1999-2015), Lesley heads the firm's Commercial and Retail Leasing Group.  She also practices extensively in Commercial and Agricultural property transactions, mergers and acquisitions, and property related Water Law issues.
She is highly regarded as a technically astute lawyer with a commercial approach.  Lesley's advises high wealth individual property developers, business owners and agriculturalists, government bodies including water authorities, catchment management authorities, and local councils.

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 a Board Member 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 a Champion of the Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project which promotes improved educational opportunities in the region (http://www.gslp.com.au/). She also actively supports 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. (English) - University of Natal (South Africa)

Admitted to Practice as a Barrister and Solicitor/Attorney in:

• 1998 - Supreme Court of Victoria
• 1994 - Supreme Court of the Australian Capital Territory
• 1993 - Supreme Court of New South Wales    
• 1991 - Natal Provincial Division, South Africa

Admitted to Practice as a Conveyancer:

• 1991 - Natal Provincial Division, South Africa

Education:

• 1992 - College of Law (Sydney)
• 1991 - Graduate Diploma In Legal Studies - University of Technology Sydney (NSW)
• 1989 - LL.B - University of Natal (South Africa)
• 1986 - B.A. (English) - University of Natal (South Africa)

Memberships & Associations:

• 1998 - Present - Goulburn Valley Law Association - member
• 2012 - Present - Greater Shepparton Lighthouse Project – Champion
• 1998 – Present - Shepparton Lawn Tennis Club – member

Recent works highlights include:

• 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.
• Advice on the development of contiguous land into a series of commercial offices including creation of land owning entities, subdivision and transfer of land, stamp duty advice, preparation and negotiation of agreements for lease and leases to various tenants including local, national and government tenants, and advice in relation to the application and management of leases under the Retail Leases Act.
• Sales of businesses and land including hotels and motels, manufacturing and wholesaling, an aerial crop-spraying business and a brewery.
• Numerous commercial leasing matters including advices regarding the terms of leases straddling three legislative regimes, handling of disputes and mediation procedures.
• Share sale arrangements and shareholder agreements.