Aitken Partners lawyers recognised in Best Lawyers in Australia 2026
16 April 2026
More than 4,600 Australian lawyers have been recognised in the latest Best Lawyers in Australia™ peer-reviewed survey, with almost 1,000 named “Ones to Watch”.
The annual listing is based on Best Lawyers’ Purely Peer Review® methodology, where lawyers are assessed by their peers and re-evaluated each year, reinforcing its standing as one of the profession’s most credible benchmarks.
Aitken Partners is pleased to see several of its lawyers recognised across key practice areas. Some of our team have been consistently listed for many years, which highlights depth of experience, consistency, and commitment we have for delivering outcomes for clients.
Julie Maxfield is a firm Principal and team leader of our Property and Commercial Law team and has been recognised for Real Property Law and Aged Care Law. Julie advises on complex property, planning and development matters, and brings significant expertise in the Health and Aged Care sector. Her work spans transactional, regulatory and structuring advice, supporting clients through major decisions around property, retirement living and aged care operations. Her recognition reflects both technical capability and a strong client focus in areas that often involve significant financial and personal considerations.
Robert Davey is the last representative of the Aitken family within the firm. He has 50 years of experience as a legal practitioner, predominantly in the areas of Litigation and Wills and Estates, and has been with the firm all that time. Recognised in the Best Lawyers Wills and Estates listing and has been recommended by Doyles Guide since 2018, Robert is known for his deep expertise in trusts, estates and succession planning. He continues to act for clients he first advised decades ago. His work spans estate planning, trust structures and complex estate disputes, providing clients with continuity and confidence across generations.
Consultant Rob Bradley has also been recognised in Real Property Law, continuing a consistent presence in Best Lawyers listing since 2019. With more than 30 years’ experience, Rob is known within the firm as the “go-to” adviser for unusual and complex property matters. His practice includes covenant and easement issues, planning disputes, and large-scale commercial and residential developments. Rob’s ability to navigate technically complex scenarios, often involving court proceedings or regulatory challenges, allows clients to progress projects that might otherwise stall.
Principal Lawyer Tim Graham has been recognised in Best Lawyers for ten consecutive years, underscoring his position as a leading authority in strata and property law. With over 27 years’ experience, Tim advises on complex owners corporation matters, construction disputes and governance issues. He is also a prominent industry voice, contributing to policy development, education and professional standards across the strata sector. His work reflects not only technical expertise, but a broader influence on how the industry evolves.
Sam Merrylees – Senior Associate (“Ones to Watch”)
Senior Associate Sam Merrylees has been recognised in the “Ones to Watch” category for his work in Litigation. Sam began his career at Aitken Partners as a paralegal while studying, progressing through the firm to his current role. His practice spans commercial litigation, insolvency and intellectual property, and he regularly appears across multiple jurisdictions. This recognition highlights both his development within the firm and the strength of Aitken Partners’ next generation of lawyers.
Recognition in Best Lawyers isn’t a one-off, our lawyers are reassessed each year by their peers. For our clients, that’s a simple but important signal that the work we’re doing continues to stand up over time.
At Aitken Partners, these recognitions reflect how we work as a team, building long-term relationships, giving practical advice, and backing our people as they develop.
