Rachel Thornton

Rachel Thornton is the firm's specialist building and construction lawyer, bringing a truly unique combination of legal expertise and hands-on industry experience to every matter she handles.

Before entering the legal profession, Rachel was the CEO of Apex Build Group, a major Victorian building company. She also held registration as a registered domestic builder from 2008 to 2018. This background gives her an unmatched practical understanding of the construction industry — from contract administration and project management to building standards and regulatory compliance.

Rachel's dual perspective — as both a former industry leader and a practising lawyer — allows her to provide advice that is not only legally sound but commercially practical. She understands the business pressures that builders and contractors face, and she knows how to navigate the regulatory framework that governs the industry.

Rachel acts for builders, contractors, home owners, and investors in all aspects of building and construction law. Her practice includes building contract disputes, VCAT proceedings, warranty insurance claims, defective works claims, payment disputes under the Security of Payment Act, and building regulation compliance.

Rachel is a member of the Building Dispute Practitioners Society and is widely recognised for her expertise in this specialist area of law.