In exciting news, Buchanan Rees Dispute Lawyers Co-Founder and Principal Simone Rees has been named as a finalist in the Lawyers Weekly 2024 Women in Law Awards for the Partner of the Year – SME Law category. This is the second year in a row that Simone has been announced as a finalist in this prestigious national awards program, which recognises the influence and achievements of Australia’s leading female legal professionals.
The Partner of the Year – SME Law category awards female partners in a private practice SME law firm who have demonstrated excellence in their area of practice, contributed to the growth of their firm or practice area, and made a positive impact on culture and strategy through their leadership.
Simone co-founded Buchanan Rees Dispute Lawyers in 2019 alongside Luke Buchanan, establishing a boutique commercial litigation offering focused on tailored solutions, technical excellence, and outstanding client service.
With a proven track record of award-winning legal expertise, she has extensive experience guiding corporate clients and high-net-worth individuals through complex commercial litigation and alternative dispute resolution, including arbitration and mediation.
Simone’s highly strategic, and extremely thorough approach is frequently noted by her clients, while those who have worked alongside her point to her keen analytical skills and meticulous attention to detail, both of which allow her to navigate high-stakes disputes with confidence.
Commenting on being announced as a finalist, Simone said she was “honoured to be recognised alongside so many talented women in law.”
“I’ve had the privilege of leading a team that values innovation, collaboration, and flexibility. Having just celebrated our fifth anniversary, I’m incredibly proud of what we have achieved, and what the next chapter will bring,” she added.
This year alone, Simone’s achievements have included being awarded the 2024 Global Advisory Experts Annual Award for Dispute Resolution Expert of the Year in Australia and developing initiatives such as the Liquidator and Litigator series and the CBD Sydney Chamber of Commerce Lawyer Roundtable. Simone is also listed in “The Best Lawyers in Australia ™” – a peer-reviewed directory.
Further to this, Simone has contributed to the growth and success of Buchanan Rees Dispute Lawyers, which was recognised this year as a Tier 1 Litigation Firm in Metropolitan Sydney in the 2025 edition of “Best Law Firms - Australia ™” – an accolade which places them within the top two percent of law firms across the country.
In addition to successes within her firm and the wider legal profession, Simone is celebrated for fostering a positive workplace culture, enabling individualised professional growth and work-life balance for her team. Beyond the office, she gives back to the community by supporting events and programs that empower women, mothers, and families, helping aspiring legal professionals secure court experience opportunities, and mentoring graduates and early-career female lawyers.
“We’re exceptionally proud of Simone being announced as a finalist in the Women in Law Awards. This recognition highlights her incredible achievements and commitment to fostering a positive work culture centered around innovation and collaboration,” says Buchanan Rees Dispute Lawyers Co-Founder Luke Buchanan.
About Buchanan Rees Dispute Lawyers
Buchanan Rees Dispute Lawyers is an award-winning commercial litigation firm committed to technical excellence and outstanding client service. The firm’s purpose is to provide legal advice and representation in complex commercial litigation, disputes, and regulatory investigations, providing the level of technical excellence offered by large firms but with the client service ethos of a boutique. Collectively, the Buchanan Rees Dispute Lawyers team has extensive experience managing commercial disputes, amassed through acting for some of Australia’s biggest corporates, government organisations, and high-net-worth individuals in some of the largest and highest profile litigation in the country. Buchanan Rees Dispute Lawyers is recognised by "Best Law Firms - Australia™" as a Tier 1 Firm in Metropolitan Sydney for litigation, while all senior team members are recognised in “The Best Lawyers in Australia ™.”
Other awards of note include:
- Global Law Experts: Commercial Litigation Law Firm of the Year in Australia (2023 and 2024)
- APAC Insider Business Awards: Best White-Collar Crime Law Firm – Australia (2023)
- Corporate INTL Awards: Commercial Litigation Law Firm of the Year in Australia (2024)