Who We Are
“McKees exists to get approvals that maximise the development potential. We communicate clearly, facilitate effectively, negotiate strongly and advocate wholeheartedly.”
We are a specialist planning, development and environmental law firm who for 25 years’ have been advising Councils, developers and all others who have ‘issues’ with their local Council. We enjoy the breadth and depth of our relationships with Councils, consultants and our clients. Our stable and experienced Planning and Development Lawyers Sydney team deliver the right advice at the right time, and at the right price.
We advise on all areas that relate or touch on property and specialise as solicitor advocate in the Land and Environment Court. We know and understand how to apply and interpret the laws relating to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Act, The Heritage Act and Threatened Species Conservation Act. Every day we advise on planning laws including State Environmental Planning Policies, promoting seniors living, affordable rental housing and how to relate to Council’s Local Environmental Plans.
It’s our knowledge and experience dealing with thousands of cases and advising clients in all manner of circumstances that gives us confidence that we can assist you to obtain the best outcome and advise on your ‘real’ prospects of success.
We specialise in providing strategic planning advice and carrying out feasibilities before the property is purchased or a Development Application is lodged with Council. We enjoy engaging with local Councils early to assist our clients in both the pre-lodgement process and resolving outstanding issues raised by Council. We have particular expertise in advising you on the opportunity to maximise development potential set out in the Seniors Living, The Codes and Affordable Rental Housing State Environmental Planning Policies. We regularly advise accredited certifiers and our knowledge and ability to assist you extends from pre purchase advice to obtaining occupation and subdivision certificates.
McKees has developed a particular personality, which is ‘the way we do things together’. Our point of difference is that we contribute energy, ideas, always intentionally and thoughtfully progressing your matter towards an approval or resolution. We value above all else strong ongoing relationships with all so together we can deliver benefits to everyone we work with.
Our Team...
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![Graham McKee Portrait]()
Graham McKee
PRINCIPLE SOLICITOR
Prior to setting up McKees in 1999 Graham graduated with honours specialising in Environmental Law. Graham then completed a Masters of Environmental Law while practising as a solicitor advocate in the Land and Environment Court advising and acting primarily for the Hornsby Shire Council.
Having started McKees Legal Solutions in 1999, Graham’s passion is for people and design which protects and enhances the environment. Graham is intent on progressing matters forward to achieve an approval that maximizes development potential. Graham has over 25 years of advising and acting for both Councils and developers in all aspects of Environmental Planning Law. Graham has specialised in advocacy before the Land and Environment Court and strategic advice in the preparation of complex Development Applications through to an approval. Graham has built an impressive reputation amongst the development community for being both passionate and fair in his dealings with all clients alike. Graham is adept at Court advocacy and mediation processes alike and brings these skills to all matters that McKees deals with.
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![Glen Hugo Portrait]()
Glen Hugo
ASSOCIATE SOLICITOR
Glen Hugo brings a unique blend of town planning expertise and legal acumen to McKees. With nearly eight years of experience as a town planner at Manly Council, Glen developed a deep understanding of local government processes and urban development challenges.
Furthering his career, Glen took on a role as a project manager in urban planning at Northern Beaches Council, where he honed his skills in managing complex planning projects. It was during this time that Glen embarked on his legal studies at Macquarie University, demonstrating his commitment to broadening his professional horizons.
While completing his law degree, Glen continued to excel in the planning sector, serving as an executive planner and development assessor for the Inner West Council. This experience allowed him to gain invaluable insights into the intricacies of development assessment and approval processes.
McKees was pleased to welcome Glen to the team in January 2023. His wealth of development and planning experience, coupled with his legal qualifications, makes him an invaluable asset to our firm. Glen's extensive relationships with various councils and his comprehensive understanding of both planning and legal frameworks enable him to provide our clients with practical, informed advice on a wide range of planning and development matters.
Glen's unique background positions him perfectly to bridge the gap between planning and legal considerations, offering our clients a holistic approach to their development projects and planning issues.
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![Kate Ghosn Portrait]()
Kate Ghosn
SENIOR PARALEGAL
Kate Ghosn has been an integral part of the McKees team since 2008, during which time she has cultivated an impressive depth of expertise in environmental law and planning. Over her years with the firm, Kate has become a key player in successfully resolving complex matters for our clients.
Through dedicated study and hands-on experience at McKees, Kate has developed an exceptional knowledge of environmental law practice and procedure. Her ability to navigate intricate legal landscapes and provide strategic advice has been instrumental in achieving favourable outcomes across a wide range of cases. As a senior paralegal, Kate has risen to the challenge of managing Class 1 proceedings, demonstrating her advanced capabilities and the trust placed in her by the firm.
Throughout her tenure, Kate has built a sterling reputation among our clients for her positive professional demeanour and excellent communication skills. She has refined her ability to explain complex legal concepts in clear, accessible terms, making her a valued resource for clients seeking guidance on environmental and planning issues.
Clients and colleagues alike have come to rely on Kate's sharp legal acumen, meticulous attention to detail, and unwavering commitment to achieving the best possible outcomes. Her evolution at McKees exemplifies the high standard of expertise and client service that our firm is known for in the field of environmental law and planning.
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Gavin Visentin
ASSOCIATE SOLICITOR
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![Hazel Sahin Portrait]()
Hazel Sahin
GRADUATE SOLICITOR
Hazel Sahin brings a fresh perspective and a strong foundation in environmental planning law to McKees Legal Solutions. Having completed her Bachelor of Laws at the University of Technology Sydney in 2024, followed by Practical Legal Training, Hazel has quickly established herself as a valuable member of our team.
Hazel's legal journey began at the Land and Environment Court in 2021, where she served as a Commissioner Support Officer. This role provided her with invaluable insights into court proceedings and judgments, laying the groundwork for her specialisation in environmental planning law.
Joining McKees in 2022, Hazel rapidly progressed from legal secretary to paralegal, before being admitted as a solicitor in May 2024.
With three years of experience in planning and environmental law, Hazel has developed exceptional knowledge of legal and court processes within this field. Her expertise in Class 1 merit appeals and her experience with Land and Environment Court processes make her a valuable asset to our clients.
Hazel is passionate about property development, particularly projects that are innovative and set new precedents. She is excited by developments that push the boundaries of traditional planning and environmental practices, incorporating cutting-edge design and sustainability principles. Additionally, Hazel is committed to promoting affordable housing initiatives, recognising their crucial role in creating equitable and inclusive communities.
As a member of The Law Society of NSW and the Environmental Planning Law Association, Hazel stays at the forefront of legal developments in her field. Her attention to detail, combined with her enthusiasm for shaping communities for future generations, makes Hazel an integral part of the McKees team.
We are energised by every matter we take on. When you entrust us with your matter, we will always bring our four core skills:
Communicate Clearly
It is the way we communicate and talk to people that helps us to build relationships with Council staff, Councillors, the community, experts, other lawyers and the Land and Environment Court that ultimately leads to approvals. 25 years of listening, responding, communicating and solving issues has given McKees the skills to represent you and get the job done. We believe that clear communication is rare, undervalued and is an outcome of a clear strategy. However, it is undoubtedly the key to achieving the best outcome.
Facilitate effectively
As environmental planning lawyers, strategic advice is critical. To determine the appropriate strategy requires a leader that understands all aspects of development to draw out the right information from the client and the experts involved. Listening skills, experience and practical knowledge allows us to get the best out of your experts to present the development to the Council panel or Court in just the right way.
Negotiate strongly
Negotiation skills are a real strength of the McKees Team. We aim and work towards obtaining approvals at Council avoiding the legal process altogether. The focus of the Land and Environment Court on alternative dispute resolution avenues, such as s34 and s34AA Conciliation Conferences, has radically changed the number of hearings McKees clients are required to endure. We have an excellent record of avoiding contested hearings, with their associated risks, through persuasive and effective negotiation during Council’s assessment period and at the conciliation stages.
Advocate wholeheartedly
The McKees Team have been advocates in the Land and Environment Court for over 25 years, completing in the order of a thousand cases acting as a solicitor advocate. We offer advocacy services at all stages of the environmental and planning processes, whether it be a pre-lodgement meeting, specific issue meeting with Council Staff and experts, or as more regularly occurs, during a s34 Conciliation Conference process.
