Julie Maxfield
Principal
+61 3 8600 6045
jmaxfield@aitken.com.au
Julie Maxfield
Areas of Law: Aged Care, Business Law, Not-For-Profit, Property Law, Commercial Law, Retirement Living
Qualifications: Bachelor of Arts I Bachelor of Laws
Office Location: Melbourne
Experience
Julie Maxfield is a Principal and leads Aitken Partners' Property and Commercial Law teams. With extensive experience across property, commercial, aged care and retirement living law, Julie advises a broad range of clients, from private individuals and family businesses to developers, investors, aged care providers and not-for-profit organisations.
Julie is highly regarded for her strategic and practical advice on complex property transactions, commercial arrangements, development projects and regulatory matters. She works closely with clients to identify risks, navigate challenges and deliver commercially focused outcomes that support their long-term objectives.
In addition to her property and commercial practice, Julie has significant expertise in the aged care, retirement living and health sectors. She regularly advises providers on acquisitions and disposals, development and redevelopment projects, governance and compliance obligations, operational matters and regulatory reform.
Julie's breadth of experience enables her to provide comprehensive legal support across the full lifecycle of property and commercial matters, from structuring and planning through to implementation, compliance and dispute resolution.
Property & Commercial Law Services
Julie advises clients on a broad range of property and commercial matters, including:
Property Transactions
• Sale and acquisition of residential, commercial and rural property
• Off-the-plan transactions
• Property developments and subdivisions
• Due diligence investigations
• Contract preparation and negotiation
• Development and land use matters
• Property structuring advice
Leasing
• Retail and commercial leasing
• Lease preparation and negotiation
• Landlord and tenant representation
• Rent relief and rental disputes
• Subletting and assignment arrangements
• Leasing compliance obligations
• Lease enforcement and disputes
Property Advisory
• Owners corporation matters
• Adverse possession claims
• Contaminated land issues
• Building compliance matters
• Encumbrances affecting title
• Caveats, mortgages and priority disputes
• Property-related dispute resolution
Commercial & Business Matters
• Business acquisitions and disposals
• Commercial agreements
• Governance advice
• Risk management and compliance
• Business structuring
• Commercial due diligence
Aged Care & Retirement Living
Julie is widely recognised for her expertise in the aged care and retirement living sectors and advises providers on a range of strategic, operational and regulatory matters.
Aged Care & Retirement Living Services
• Acquisitions and disposals
• Mergers and restructures
• Development and redevelopment projects
• Residence contracts and documentation
• Regulatory compliance
• Governance frameworks
• Risk management advice
• Complaints and investigations
• Policy and procedure development
• Dispute resolution
Industries & Clients
Julie advises a diverse range of clients, including:
• Property developers
• Investors and landowners
• Landlords and tenants
• Business owners
• Aged care providers
• Retirement living operators
• Not-for-profit organisations
• Healthcare providers
• Family businesses
• Financial institutions
Experience Highlights
Property Developer · Acquisition and Development Project
Advised a property developer on the acquisition and development of land for a major project, including due diligence investigations, contract negotiations, subdivision issues and the management of complex property and planning considerations.
Commercial Landlord · Leasing Portfolio Management
Acted for commercial landlords in relation to extensive leasing portfolios, providing advice on lease preparation, negotiations, enforcement matters, rent disputes and ongoing leasing management.
Aged Care Provider · Acquisition and Compliance Advice
Advised an aged care operator on the acquisition of a residential aged care business, including transaction structuring, due diligence investigations, regulatory compliance and documentation requirements.
Retirement Living Operator · Development and Redevelopment Project
Assisted a retirement living provider with the structuring and delivery of redevelopment projects, including advice regarding contracts, compliance obligations, resident documentation and operational considerations.
Property Owner · Complex Title and Encumbrance Issues
Provided advice regarding caveats, mortgages, notices and other title encumbrances, assisting clients to protect their interests and achieve commercial resolutions to complex property disputes.
Awards & Recognition
The Best Lawyers in Australia
Julie has been recognised in The Best Lawyers in Australia for Real Property Law and Aged Care Law since 2023.
