Thornton + King leads the nation in NSW Property Law Specialist Accreditation
Sydney boutique law firm Thornton + King has strengthened its position as one of Australia’s leading property law practices, with Vanessa Caputo and Alan Olcayto recognised by the Law Society of NSW as Accredited Specialists in Property Law.
“There’s no firm in Australia with more NSW Property Law Accredited Specialists than Thornton + King, and that’s something we’re incredibly proud of,’ said Karunn Shahani, Managing Director at Thornton + King. “Specialist Accreditation isn’t just a title – it’s a commitment to excellence. The program tests not only a lawyer’s technical knowledge but how that knowledge is applied in practice to deliver the right outcomes for clients.”
A Rare Professional Distinction
Fewer than 0.5 per cent of NSW lawyers hold Specialist Accreditation in Property Law. The program, established in 1992, involves a multi-stage assessment process covering written examinations, simulated client scenarios, and peer evaluation. Candidates must demonstrate both mastery of the law and sound professional judgment.
“It’s rewarding to see the standard of work our team delivers recognised in this way” said Ms Caputo, who leads Thornton + King’s property and conveyancing team. “Property law is about people’s homes and investments - getting it right really matters, and that’s something our whole team takes seriously.”
Expertise Built on Experience
Mr Olcayto, who has extensive experience across residential, commercial, and development transactions, said the accreditation process reinforced the importance of practical, outcome-focused advice.
“Property law is becoming increasingly complex – from strata reform to electronic conveyancing and shifting investment rules,” he said. “Accreditation is a way of holding ourselves accountable to the highest professional standard. Clients deserve that level of confidence when they engage a lawyer to handle what is often their most significant investment.”
At Thornton + King, Accredited Specialists play a central role in supervising and mentoring other practitioners. The firm’s structured approach to training and peer review ensures that expertise flows through to every file, regardless of size or complexity.
Maintaining the Highest Standards
Mr Shahani said the achievement of Ms Caputo and Mr Olcayto reflects a long-term focus on maintaining quality across the firm’s growing property practice.
“Our clients engage us for precision and judgment,” he said. “When you’re handling significant transactions or navigating tight timeframes, there’s no room for shortcuts, and you need specialist expertise readily available. Having multiple Accredited Specialists gives our clients the assurance that their matter will be handled to the highest professional standard.”
The firm’s approach, he added, is to combine the personal service of a boutique with the technical depth usually only found in much larger practices.
A Century-Long Legacy
With roots dating back to 1924, Thornton + King has grown from a local suburban practice into an award-winning firm with offices in Balmain, Willoughby and Hornsby. Its core practice areas include property law, business law, family law, and wills and estates.
Over the past few years, the firm has expanded steadily through mergers with other established practices, bringing together senior specialists across multiple disciplines. The growing number of Accredited Specialists in its property team reflects that trajectory of measured growth and technical leadership.
“Our success comes from delivering consistently exceptional client results,” said Mr Shahani. “Clients know they’ll get quick, dependable advice from people who understand both the law and the property market inside out.”
Website: www.thorntonking.com.au
