Kate Doherty
Associate
+61 3 8600 6068
kdoherty@aitken.com.au
Kate Doherty
Areas of Law: Aged Care, Owners Corporation Law, Property Law, Commercial Law, Retirement Living
Qualifications: Bachelor of Laws (Hons) I Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice
Office Location: Melbourne
Experience
Kate Doherty is a Melbourne-based property and commercial lawyer who advises businesses, property owners, aged care providers, owners corporations and industry participants on a broad range of property and commercial matters.
Kate is known for her practical and commercially focused approach to dispute resolution. Prior to entering the legal profession, she built a successful career in the commercial construction industry and operated her own small business, giving her a unique understanding of the commercial realities faced by her clients.
She works closely with clients to identify strategic solutions that minimise legal costs, business disruption and risk, while protecting their commercial interests. Kate regularly assists clients in resolving disputes through negotiation and alternative dispute resolution, while also representing clients in litigated matters where formal proceedings are required.
Kate also advises clients in the aged care and retirement living sector on acquisitions, redevelopment projects, governance and compliance, risk management, resident contracts and dispute resolution.
Property & Commercial Dispute Resolution
Kate advises clients on a broad range of disputes and advisory matters.
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
Property Advisory and Disputes
• 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 ownership disputes
• Sale of land disputes
• Easement disputes
• Adverse possession matters
• Caveat disputes
• Boundary disputes
• Leasing disputes
• Property-related litigation
• Owners corporation matters
• Contaminated land issues
• Building compliance matters
• Encumbrances affecting title
• Caveats, mortgages and priority disputes
• Unreasonable flow of water disputes
• VCAT litigation
Commercial & Business Matters
• Business acquisitions and disposals
• Commercial agreements
• Governance advice
• Risk management and compliance
• Business structuring
• Commercial due diligence
Mergers and Acquisitions
• Breach of contract claims
• Business disputes
• Shareholder disputes
• Payment disputes
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
Owners Corporation Matters
• Owners corporation disputes
• Governance issues
• Compliance matters
• Levy recovery disputes
• Building defect disputes
• Common property disputes
• Owners corporation rule breaches
• VCAT proceedings
Industries & Clients
Kate advises a broad range of clients, including:
• Business owners
• Property developers
• Investors and landowners
• Commercial landlords
• Commercial tenants
• Aged care providers
• Retirement living operators
• Not-for-profit organisations
• Family businesses
• Owners corporations
Professional Involvement
Leo Cussen Centre for Law
Kate is a presenter on the Leo Cussen Centre for Law's Alumni Commercial Law Panel, where she shares her knowledge and practical insights with emerging legal practitioners and contributes to the professional development of the next generation of lawyers.