A long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away...
... cut to opening scene - think, less cantina, more dimly lit, Fortitude Valley pub over a long lunch back in 2023...
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With the experience of an in-house lawyer and a seasoned construction professional, the Bench was formed to fill the obvious divide between theory and practice, offering government, contractors, and project developers/owners qualified and specialist technical and commercial support from highly experienced and trusted subject matter experts, without the bells and whistles of big law firms and top tier consultancies.
Why?
We exist because too many good projects go bad from poor contracts, opaque strategy, or late interventions. We're here to bridge the gap between legal theory and project reality, giving
clients the clarity, support, and confidence they need to deliver.
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We're here to help businesses and projects make smarter decisions, avoid costly disputes, and realise better outcomes by combining real-world experience with practical commercial advice.
How?
Straight Talk
We’re practical, honest, and cut through the fluff. We give advice people can actually use, all with a sense of humour.
Commercial Intelligence
We balance risk, value, and strategy, because doing the right thing also means doing the smart thing.
Partnership Over Preaching
We work with clients, not above them. We listen, collaborate, and stand shoulder-to-shoulder when things get tough.
Quality Without Ego
We take pride in our work but leave the showboating at the door. It’s about outcomes, not grandstanding.
Built for Delivery
We don’t just advise; we roll up our sleeves and help deliver. Everything we do is grounded in real project experience.
Aidan Parsons
​LLB (Hons), MAICD
Aidan is a qualified lawyer and company director with extensive experience working in the in-house legal teams of listed global businesses. Since 2018, Aidan has also worked with leading Australian and international law firms and corporations to identify resourcing requirements and recruit legal experts for both permanent and fixed term contracts.
Anthony Simpson
LLB, MAIQS CQS, Dip Proj Mgt
Anthony’s 25 years in the engineering & construction industry have seen him apply his formal training in law, psychology and project management to lead bid and project teams for major infrastructure projects ranging in value from a few hundred thousand through to over $5b, and provided a range of management, advisory and support services to project teams across Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific. Anthony is also a Certified Quantity Surveyor (CQS), and NMAS Accredited Mediator