George Marques
George has over 35 years experience in a broad range of commercial law, including commercial property, procurement and contracting, corporations law and probity and corporate governance. He specialises in advising on complex, sensitive and bespoke transactions for public and private companies, Commonwealth and State governments and not for profits.
George is highly regarded for his ability to provide pragmatic, commercially focused legal advice to senior stakeholders within clients.
George has been named in Best LawyersTM Australia for Commercial Law and Mergers and Acquisitions. Additionally, George has twice been named “Lawyer of the Year” for Canberra Commercial Law by Best LawyersTM Australia.
George is an ACT Law Society Councillor and sits on the ACT Law Society’s executive council.
Experience
George’s recent experience includes:
- Credit unions: Lead partner in the transfer under Part 3 of the Financial Sector (Business Transfer and Group Restructure) Act 1999 from 4 credit unions to Bendigo Bank. This was a significant project which included reviewing and advising on constitutional amendments, member information statements, dealings with regulatory bodies, and reviewing, negotiating and advising on the terms of the alliance agreement with Bendigo Bank;
- Service One Mutual Limited and its predecessors: For over 20 years, advising on governance and directors’ duties, conflicts of interest, and compliance with prudential and legislative requirements;
- Australian Federal Police: Advised on a major leasing project involving an acquisition of new office and canine premises covering 6 Australian airports. This project includes advice on construction contracts, agreements for lease and leasing (including green lease schedules);
- Services Australia: Lead probity adviser on the Welfare Payments Infrastructure Transformation (WPIT) Programme, a major government reform programme involving a series of complex multiple procurements;
- Calvary Health Care ACT Ltd and its predecessors and related entities: For over 20 years, advising on commercial property matters in the ACT, including the establishment of the Calvary Clinic. This work includes liaising with regulators in relation to Crown lease compliance issues, stamp duty and advising on structuring options; and
- Property client: Lead partner in the sale of 73 Northbourne Avenue (over $29 million) and 62 Northbourne Avenue (over $48 million). Both projects involved establishing virtual data rooms, significant due diligence enquiries arising from the historical property structuring in each building and involved purchasers located outside of the ACT.