Fox and Thomas reinforces its Brisbane footprint

The team has expanded its agribusiness offerings to assist landholders and agricultural enterprises with CSG matters, natural capital, carbon projects, renewable energy initiatives, and related transmission and access agreements.

In August 2025, Fox and Thomas expanded into Brisbane with a new office, appointing former Hamilton Locke senior associate Nick Knowlman as principal to lead the venture.

Knowlman, who has been head of the firm’s renewable energy practice, has drawn on his experience in agribusiness, rural and commercial property, land access, carbon initiatives and renewable energy projects, and has seen great success for the firm.

Fox and Thomas’ agribusiness service now includes advising landholders and agribusinesses on CSG, carbon projects, natural capital, renewable energy developments and the associated access and transmission agreements.

The expansion of the firm’s services highlights the changing landscape of the Queensland economy, as the evolution of energy sectors, regional commercial ventures, and major infrastructure projects drive the need for lawyers with experience in localised expertise.

Other firms are following suit when it comes to making an impression in the Brisbane region, with a fellow Australian law firm expanding its Brisbane footprint by relocating to an upgraded office, driven by growing demand for legal services.

Law firms expect Brisbane’s population growth, infrastructure investment and preparations for the 2032 Olympics to create further demand across services in regards to property, litigation, construction, estate planning, family law and business advisory.

Fox and Thomas’ director, Michael Crowley, spoke on the success of the Brisbane office establishing, noting that it was a move that made sense for the firm.

“Our clients were already doing business in Brisbane; project proponents, consultants, financiers and advisers are here, so it made sense for us to be here too,” Cowley said.

“The office has given us the opportunity to strengthen existing relationships while introducing Fox and Thomas to a much broader professional network - that's been one of the biggest successes of the past year.”

Fellow director of Fox and Thomas, Kay Rhodes, recognised Brisbane’s importance in the firm’s future plans.

“We’ve always been proud of our regional heritage, and that’s something we wanted to bring with us rather than leave behind,” Rhodes said.

“Clients appreciate practical advice from lawyers who understand the industries they’re working in and the commercial pressures they’re facing.

“Over the past twelve months we've built some outstanding relationships across Brisbane and regional Queensland - that's created a strong platform for the next stage of the firm's growth.”

Knowlman indicated that the vast work heading towards the Brisbane office was a testament to the rapid nature of the market's evolving nature.

“A year ago most conversations centered on wind and solar projects; today we're also advising on transmission infrastructure, natural capital, biodiversity, carbon projects and increasingly sophisticated commercial arrangements between landholders and project proponents,” Knowlman said.

“Clients are looking for advisers who understand the legal issues, but they also want someone who understands the commercial decisions sitting behind them and the impact on their existing agribusiness. That’s where we’ve been able to add real value.”

Through attending industry events, the firm has been able to expand its presence across Queensland’s agribusiness communities.

Speaking about the firm’s initial year in Brisbane, Cowley highlighted the expansion’s contribution toward the long-term strategy of Fox and Thomas.

“There's still enormous investment flowing into Queensland, particularly across regional industries,” Cowley said.

“We see Brisbane as an important part of that story because it's where many of those projects are funded, negotiated and delivered.”

Whilst noting the success of its new Brisbane office, Cowley paid homage to its original Goondiwindi office, established to service individuals and businesses across rural Queensland and New South Wales.

"We've built a practice that complements what we've been doing in regional Queensland and New South Wales for many years,” Cowley said.

“The response from clients has given us plenty of confidence about where we're heading next.”