Herbert Geer & Rundle has announced the appointment of Alice Spizzo as special counsel within the firm’s expanding property services practice in Sydney. The appointment further strengthens HGR’s environmental and planning team led by partner Robert Wilcher, and reinforces the firm’s capabilities in land use planning, building and sustainable development, corporate risk and due diligence matters.

Spizzo was formerly an executive director within the NSW Department of Planning, and has extensive experience in planning and environmental law, gained within both government and the private sector. She played a leading role in the development and drafting of major changes to the NSW Environmental Planning and Assessment Act over the past two years, including development contributions.