About Billy
Billy Sakis is a senior associate (effective 1 July 2026) in the firm’s Public Interest Practice. Billy advises a broad range of clients with a focus on charities and not-for-profit organisations and Native Title Representative Bodies.
He has also advised on a broad range of commercial matters, including mergers and acquisitions, corporate restructuring, stakeholder agreements and succession planning.
Billy joined the firm as a graduate in March 2020 and was admitted to practice in April 2021. He holds a Bachelor of Laws (with Honours) and a Bachelor of Commerce from Monash University.
“Billy brings a rare balance of professionalism, honesty and genuine care to his work. He's highly responsive and consistently willing to go above and beyond to support our vision and purpose.”
Practice focus
Billy has a diverse practice in charities and public interest law which includes advisory and transactional work.
Billy’s areas of expertise include:
- advising charities and other not-for-profits in relation to commercial and governance matters and tax concessions including those focusing on environmental justice, Indigenous rights, health and human rights; and
- general commercial law and related negotiations, including contractual advice, alternative dispute resolution, consultancy and service agreements.
“Billy's thoughtful and attentive focus has been invaluable. He guided us through a challenging and lengthy process, and our success was in no small part due to his understanding, passion and commitment to our work.”
Experience
Billy has acted and currently acts on a range of public interest law and commercial matters, including:
Public interest law
- providing corporate structuring and strategic advice regarding incorporation, charity registration and tax concessions for charitable clients.
- advising not-for-profit environmental, cultural and community-based organisations in relation to a range of legal issues including ongoing corporate governance requirements, compliance, and taxation issues, including Self-Determination Fund, Peter Mac Cancer Foundation, the Lowitja Institute, Blak & Bright First Nations Literary Festival, Coaxial Foundation, Fareshare/SecondBite, Greenpeace Australia Pacific and Hi Neighbour Ltd.
- pursuing litigation in the public interest in relation to human rights and social justice issues.
M&A transactions
- Fareshare: on its merger with Secondbite.
- ME Bank: on the $1.325 billion sale by 26 Australian industry super funds to Bank of Queensland Ltd.
- Insurance Brands Australia: on its sale to Steadfast Group for $301 million.
