Despina Priala

Despina was admitted in 1994 as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of Queensland and has practised in property and commercial law on the Gold Coast for more than 28 years, predominantly in off the plan projects.

Despina holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Bond University. She is an Inaugural Law Graduate of Bond University from the Class of 1989 and maintains ties with the Alumni Bond University Association.

Despina was appointed as In-house Legal Counsel for Sunland Group Limited in 2004, overseeing all aspects of the construction and settlement of the iconic Q1 Tower, in addition to managing other projects on the Gold Coast, including Palazzo Versace, Circle on Cavill, Avalon, and Sunkids Child Care Centres.

In 2007, Despina established her own boutique legal practice, Priala Legal, to offer clients a high level of legal expertise and personalised service. Despina has a proven track record in all aspects of property development law, off-the-plan contracts, residential and commercial land transactions whether acting for developers, buyers or sellers. She also has substantial experience in the establishment, ongoing management and sales of manufactured home parks in Queensland and New South Wales, and of child care centres.

In 2021 Despina was recognised as reaching the milestone achievement of 25 years of membership with the QLD Law Society in recognition of her dedication and loyalty to the profession and the Society. Despina is a member of the QLS’s Property and Development Law Committee, Hellenic Lawyers Association of Australia, the Southport Chamber of Commerce, and the Gold Coast District Law Association.

Despina is a radio personality and has a weekly radio talk show, Talking Law on Radio 97 Gold Coast, where Despina is able to provide a community service to listeners by updating them on the latest hot topics. Radio 97 is part of the Super Radio Network which is a national commercial network of privately owned radio stations across Australia, the same network John Laws broadcasts from every morning.

Awards & Recognition

• Lawyers Weekly Women in Law awards finalist for the Sole Practitioner of the Year Award for years 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020
• 2021 – received from the QLD Law Society 25 Year Pin for recognition of 25 years served in the legal profession
• Gold Coast Women in Business Awards 2023, Awardee of Merit

Speaking Engagements

• QLD Law Society’s Annual Property Law Conference Brisbane October 2022 – Chairperson and panel speaker on off the plan contracts in a changing market
• TEN – The Education Network – Webinar March 2023 ‘Changing Landscape to Off The Plan’
• QLD Law Society’s Annual Gold Coast Legal Conference June 2023 – Presenter on Changing Landscape to Off The Plan Contracts
• QLD Law Society’s Annual Property Law Conference Brisbane September 2023 – Back to basics – off the plan contracts – how to best advise your clients
• The Boutique Lawyer Show for Lawyers Weekly Podcast December 2023 - Drafting of contracts, AI, unfair contract terms regime and its implications for the practitioners, and the fundamentals of being a boutique firm owner
• Interview with Ticker News - Lawyer challenges 2021: https://youtu.be/sfa7peedqra?si=a0rxq3dvln5fj-v-

Professional Organisations

Priala Legal Pty Ltd - Since October 2007

Website: https://www.prialalegal.com.au/profile
Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/despina-priala-7abb4044/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/PrialaLegal
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCWmG7z-wIbsHY9KhFfrrWwQ

Memberships

• QLD Law Society since 1992
• QLD Property and Development Law Committee
• Southport Chamber of Commerce, QLD
• Hellenic Australian Lawyers Association
• Gold Coast District Law Association
• Gold Coast Women in Business
• CBA Business Alliance Partner