Stephen is consistently ranked as a leading lawyer in the areas of property finance, corporate finance and real estate in a number of prominent international guides to law firms, including the Legal 500 Asia Pacific and Chambers Asia Pacific. He has been highlighted in Chambers Asia Pacific as being valued for his “terrific broad knowledge of property” and described by sources as “one of the most experienced property financing practitioners in the Melbourne marketplace”. Stephen is also recognised by Best Lawyers® International and Doyle’s Guide in the area of banking and finance law.
Stephen takes a comprehensive approach to commercial and property matters and manages complex transactions from beginning to end in a timely and efficient manner. He draws on his extensive network of contacts in the banking, private and structured capital environment to give clients financing and take-out solutions that are realistic and commercially focused.
Stephen joined Arnold Bloch Leibler as an articled clerk in 1987 and was admitted to the partnership in 1992.
Stephen heads the banking & finance department and is a member of the commercial & corporate and property & development practices. His practice focuses on the following areas:
- property finance, acting for borrowers and lenders in the full spectrum of financing transactions at the senior, mezzanine and equity levels; and
- development and long-term ownership joint ventures.
Stephen also has a strong commitment to community interests having commenced serving as a board member of the Make-A-Wish Foundation of Australia in 1998 and as its current national Chairman.