Simon D'Angelo, Special Counsel, Marcus Lane Group 

Simon was recognised in the Best Lawyers in Australia™ Ones to Watch: Planning and Environment 2026, building on prior recognition in previous years. Simon has also been recognised by Lawyers Weekly as the 30 Under 30 winner in the Planning & Environment category (2020), and finalist in both the Planning & Environment and Government categories (2021 and 2022), and Rising Star of the Year Finalist (2021).

Simon is regularly involved in complex and high-profile planning and environment matters. Simon frequently appears as an advocate in the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal on behalf of municipal councils, government agencies and developers in planning merits appeals, enforcement proceedings and panel hearings.  Simon also advises on all aspects of planning and environment law, including statutory and strategic planning, enforcement and prosecutorial matters, statutory interpretation, liquor and gaming, heritage (both European and Aboriginal cultural heritage), and human rights. In addition, Simon represents clients in large-scale planning matters, including merits appeals, planning scheme amendment panels, and proceedings before the Supreme Court and the Heritage Council.

Kat Smith MPIA, Senior Policy Officer, Planning Institute of Australia

Kat is an urban planner with over over fifteen years of experience across local and state government as well as the private sector in Victoria. Kat is now Senior Policy Officer with PIA, working across the Victorian and national offices.

Kat has a strong background in strategic planning and policy development, working across many areas of planning policy development and implementation, particularly in roles at the Victorian Planning Authority and Whittlesea City Council. Kat is particularly interested in building sound, evidence-based policy and advocacy to inform decision-making to drive outcomes that best serve the public interest.