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The Team
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Nadine Wismayer
Founder & Legal Director
Nadine advises public and private sector clients on governance, real estate, and construction law. Her career span 33 years.
Her career began in Toronto, Canada, where she served as Director of Research at a leading commercial real estate firm. She then moved to Malta, managing her own company and securing exclusive distributorship rights for a North American architectural cladding brand across Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East.
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Motivated by the complexities of civil law in Malta, Nadine pursued a law degree, graduating magna cum laude from the University of Malta. Upon returning to Australia, she held key roles at Qld Law Group, Rio Tinto, and Clayton Utz, gaining extensive experience in negotiating and drafting high-value contracts.
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Nadine founded The Real Estate Lawyer, a boutique firm specializing in real estate and construction law. Her expertise led her to a role as Senior Legal Counsel at Australia’s leading real estate franchise, where she managed complex agreements to reduce risk and secure favorable outcomes. Nadine has now returned to private practice, focusing on innovation within the real estate law sector.
Laura Jones
Operations Manager
​Laura Jones is a dynamic professional who specialises in making law firms more profitable by driving operational efficiency.
With over 13 years of experience, she has a proven track record in optimizing processes and managing resources to maximize profitability.
Before joining The Real Estate Lawyer in 2021, Laura spent a decade in business development and account management, where she honed her skills in client relations and strategic growth.
Her expertise lies in streamlining operations, reducing costs, and enhancing overall firm productivity.
Ralph Lake
Special Counsel
A returned serviceman with 32 years of service in the Australian Army, Ralph brings a unique perspective to his legal practice.
His extensive experience spans over 25 years in local and international roles, focusing on criminal, civil, and administrative investigations and prosecutions.
Ralph Lake is a qualified lawyer practicing in Queensland, holding multiple qualifications that enhance his expertise in the legal field.
Ralph served as a Federal Prosecutor, leveraging his legal acumen in high-stakes cases. While at Big 4 Accounting Firm, he led the forensics practice in the Middle East, showcasing his expertise in financial and compliance investigations
Ralph held senior law enforcement positions in an international criminal tribunal and a Truth and Reconciliation Commission, contributing to global justice initiatives.
At the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) he served as a long-term senior staffer where he enforced competition and consumer law, ensuring compliance and fairness in the Australian market.
While at the Department of Home Affairs, Immigration and Citizenship in Canberra, Ralph managed the Ministerial Intervention and Global Processing Branch, overseeing 4,000 sensitive immigration requests annually, including Distinguished Talent and work visa applications. He also served as one of seven departmental Change Managers, leading significant reforms following the Palmer and Comrie Reports.International.
He also held a position at the Cricket Council Anti-Corruption Unit, based in Dubai where Ralph consulted for the ICC, providing legal expertise on issues ranging from player contracts to anti-corruption measures.
Ralph Lake specialises in Workplace Investigations, .Veterans' Advocacy:, Sports Law, Ralph also has experience in real estate law including the Property Occupations Act in QLD, office of fair trading licensing and compliance matters, the drawing up fo contracts, deeds and including governance, contracts, and compliance.
Ralph is recognised for its hands-on approach and commitment to client outcomes.