Chris Polak

I am the legal counsel operating in Mirvacs Development and Construction team in Melbourne. I am the first point of contact on all legal matters related to Mirvacs residential development projects in Victoria, ACT and Western Australia.

Since joining Department of Treasury and Finance (DTF) I developed a specialized expertise in large-scale infrastructure projects as well as acted on a number of commercial transactions for State owned commercial businesses in energy, water, ports and forestry.

I advise on all legal matters related to QICs assets namely shopping centres, land developments and hotels in Victoria, Western Australia and Canberra.
I provide legal and commercial advice regarding retail and commercial leases, sub-leases, licences and various other agreements affecting QICs property portfolio.

I draft, negotiate and review a variety of property related transactions including but not limited to letters of ofer (LOO), heads of agreements, leases, licences, renewal documents, contracts of sale and confidentiality agreements.

I am involved in several large real estate projects across Victoria which encompass complex leasing structures, due diligence of the peripheral land and management of significant acquisitions and disposal of land transactions.

Some examples of my work include:

I facilitated the disposal of the 80 Collins Street asset in Melbourne which was sold to Dexus for 1.5 billion in 2019.

Most recently, I was involved in QICs greenfield development of a shopping centre precinct in Merrifield.

I manage a team of leasing executives and lease admin personnel. I provide legal advice to QICs investment managers and undertake due diligence of any potential acquisitions of real estate.

A private property and investment group with circa $500m assets, with a focus on hotels and commercial properties in New Zealand.

I worked directly with the directors of Stonewood Group and assisted them with due diligence and decision making on acquisition of several investment properties in New Zealand and Australia.

I advised clients on commercial leasing, acquisitions and disposals of commercial property, due diligence, land development, subdivisions and refinancing.

I also advised clients on commercial contracts, redevelopment agreements, franchising agreements, licences, retirement villages, confidentiality agreements, joint ventures, distribution and supply arrangements as well as terms of trade and business structures.

I advised clients on commercial leasing, acquisitions and disposals of commercial property, due diligence, land development, subdivisions and refinancing.

I also advised clients on commercial contracts, redevelopment agreements, franchising agreements, licences, retirement villages, confidentiality agreements, joint ventures, distribution and supply arrangements as well as terms of trade and business structures.

Undertook a review of a large number of documents and correspondence for legal relevance in relation to a high-profile multi billion dollars credit rating case.

advice and risk management services for Coles, Bi-Lo Supermarkets, Liquorland, First Choice Liquor, Coles Express fuel and Vintage Cellars businesses including Coles distribution centres throughout Australia.

Negotiated with major developers and landlords on retail developments including Westfield, Colonial, Federation, AMP, Stockland, QIC, GPT, ISPT and LendLease.

Prepared and negotiated a variety of contracts including leases, licences, redevelopment agreements, confidentiality agreements, options, tripartite agreements, assignments/novations deeds, surrenders of lease, settlement deeds, agency agreements, letters of ofers, guarantees and indemnities.

Prepared legal precedents for use by the legal team and commercial operatives.

Negotiated and settled precedents transaction documents with major property owners such as Westfield, Colonial and ISPT.

Efectively managed some litigation matters.

Managed a diverse range of property related disputes with landlords, developers and local authorities.

Undertook corporate governance and risk management functions, including review and sign of transaction documentation.

Attended to coaching commercial operatives.

Managed external lawyers efectively through selection, supervision and support.

Major Achievements

Carlton Connect Initiative - Melbourne University Assisted the partner with the award-winning project called Carlton Connect Initiative by University of Melbourne, which comprised of the development of a state of the art research centre together with a student accomodation facilities and other related facilities. Attended high-level meetings for the tender, construction, delivery and operation phases of the deal.

Forestry Tasmania Played a key role on real estate side of due diligence including reviewing 460 titles, land interests such forestry rights, leases, licences and easements, overseeing real estate due diligence process e.g Q&A process with vendors solicitors, drafting purchaser due diligence report for real estate part of due diligence, and providing general assistance to corporate team with real estate issues on transaction.

Coles Drafted leases, variation of leases, licences and exercised options for a number of Coles supermarkets nationwide.

Some examples of work undertaken included:

Highgate Business Park Development - I was the partners first hand in this matter. The client was a land developer who was undertaking one of the largest land developments in Auckland. I was involved in all aspects of this development. I prepared and drafted sale and purchase agreements for the lots, which included drafting land covenants, landscaping covenants, no-objection covenants and other easements and encumbrances afecting the land. Majority of the lots were designed for commercial purposes with a small section of residential side of the development.

I also assisted the developer with road stopping application which involved dealing directly with the Council and Auckland Transport Agency.

Rainbows Ends - I handled 8.5 million refinance for this client in its entirety, which resulted in further development of the theme park and new rides being added.

ANZ Bank - I handled and completed a number of mortgagee sales for the bank.

United Church of Kingdom of God - I handled the initial purchase of the church, with vendors finance being part of the transaction which involved dealing with multiple parties in order to discharge existing mortgages and enter into a new deed of priority.

Auckland Oaks Hotel - This was a 15 million dollars transaction in which I acted for the purchaser in acquiring this property. Following the purchase, our client leased the property back to the vendor and entered into a management agreement which allowed the vendor to run its hotel business through the property. I assisted this client in all aspects of the transaction.

Latitude 37 Limited - I assisted this client with acquisition of four commercial properties in Auckland for the purpose of developing the land and erecting a new apartment complex. I also assisted the client with obtaining resource consents and amalgamation of the lots.

Edwards Clark Dickie is a small boutique law firm situated in Aucklands CBD specialising in commercial, litigation, property and trust law.

Undertook a varied range of legal functions under supervision of the firms partners. These included:

• Commercial/Property work
o Sale and purchase real estate and businesses o Commercial contracts o Commercial leases o Company restructuring o Terms of trade o Company incorporations o Property development o Liquor licensing applications o Due diligence o Bankruptcy and insolvency of companies

Edwards Clark Dickie is a small boutique law firm situated in Aucklands CBD specialising in commercial, litigation, property and trust law.

Undertook a varied range of legal functions under supervision of the firms partners. These included:

• Commercial/Property work
o Sale and purchase real estate and businesses o Commercial contracts o Commercial leases o Company restructuring o Terms of trade o Company incorporations o Property development o Liquor licensing applications o Due diligence o Bankruptcy and insolvency of companies

Patel Nand Legal is a small general legal practice with 2 Partners, 1 Associate, 5 other Lawyers, plus support staf.

Gained diverse experience working as part of property and litigation teams and engaged efectively with a wide variety of commercial and individual clients.

commercial law, litigation and dispute resolution.
• Completed a 6-week internship during mid-semester break while at the university
• Gained experience with conveyancing, estate planning, wills, share transfers, sale and purchase agreements, leases and refinancing

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