Skip to main content
article thumbnail

Rosemary Southgate

Principal

Bachelor of Laws (Honours), Bachelor of Arts, Property Law Accredited Specialist (Law Institute of Victoria)

  • Aged Care
  • Water
  • Government
  • Not-for-Profit
  • Property
  • Retirement Living
  • Due Diligence
  • Commercial Advice
  • Crown Land
  • Property Law
  • Leases and Licenses
  • Local Government

Rosemary is a Principal in our Property and Development team and a Law Institute of Victoria Property Law Accredited Specialist. She is focused on delivering quality advice to her clients, practicing in the areas of commercial property, leasing, aged care and retirement villages. As part of her role she advises peak industry bodies such as the Property Council Australia in their dealings with Government.

Rosemary was named Best Lawyers’ 2024, 2019 and 2014 "Lawyer of the Year" for Retirement Villages and Senior Living Law in Melbourne. She has been recognised by Best Lawyers since 2012 for her expertise in Retirement Villages and Senior Living Law.

Experience

  • Advising on all aspects of commercial property including sales and acquisitions of land, commercial and domestic conveyancing and owners corporation advice

  • Acting on behalf of landlords and tenants, including private corporations, State Government, councils and government authorities, on all aspects of retail, commercial and development leasing transactions

  • Advising corporate, private and not for profit operators on compliance with retirement living law (Vic), including engagement with State Government in relation to the current reforms

  • Advising on all aspects of structuring existing retirement and aged care developments including redevelopments, sales and purchases, and resident contract preparation

  • Acting for Lend Lease Primelife in the acquisition of three retirement villages in Victoria and Queensland, involving the review of 450 residence contracts, a partial acquisition of assets and shares

  • Acting for Anglicare (trading as Benetas) in the acquisition of the residential aged care facilities Hazelwood House and Dalkeith House, and Dalkeith Heights Retirement Village in Traralgon

  • Acting for Catholic Homes in the acquisition of Greenleaf Retirement Village in Torquay

  • Acting for the Department of Treasury and Finance on the preparation and negotiation of the lease for redevelopment of North Wharf which will comprise a mixed retail, office and hotel use in the Melbourne CBD along the Yarra River

  • Acting for Murrindindi Shire Council in relation to the lease of temporary town centres in Kinglake and Marysville after the Victorian bushfires

  • Acting for Queen Victoria Market Pty Ltd in relation to all leasing and licensing matters at the Market

Leadership

  • Named "Lawyer of the Year” in 2024, 2019 and 2014 for Retirement Villages and Senior Living Law by Best Lawyers
  • Victorian Retirement Living Committee Member, Property Council of Australia
  • Board Member, Sacred Heart Mission
  • Former Deputy Chair and Board Member, Russell Kennedy Lawyers
  • Immediate Past Convenor/Executive Representative, Russell Kennedy Women's Network
  • Ranked as Preeminent by Doyle's Guide, in the area of Health and Aged Care