Harley Purnell
Director and Principal Lawyer of Tallwood Law Pty Ltd
Tallwood Law was founded in 2025 by Harley Purnell, a top tier lawyer returning home to the NSW South Coast with his family after more than 10 years working in the Australian and International legal industries, including with market leading organisations Clayton Utz, ANZ and Deloitte.
We are commercial and innovative in our approach. We pride ourselves on the quality of both our legal services and our communication and we are committed to excellence in everything that we do for our clients.
We are real people with strong ties to the NSW South Coast. We care deeply about the region, its people and its environment and we are committed to making impactful contributions to our community.
Tallwood Law supports individuals, businesses and government clients across the NSW South Coast, Illawarra, Southern Tablelands and Southern Ranges with advice, projects, disputes and transactions.
We are driven by the vision of creating
an exceptional commercial law firm
on the NSW South Coast.
Our Expertise
Tallwood Law is a strategic legal advisory firm trusted for our expertise across commercial, construction, employment and government law.
Harley Purnell, Director and Principal Lawyer of Tallwood Law, was admitted as a Solicitor of the NSW Supreme Court in 2015 and subsequently admitted as a Solicitor of the High Court of Australia in 2017.
Harley has held senior roles with some of the world’s largest and most respected organisations, both private sector and public sector, including as a Senior Legal Consultant with Deloitte and ANZ Banking Group in London; as Legal Counsel to the NSW State Government (Sydney Metro); and most recently as a Senior Associate in Clayton Utz’ market leading Public Sector and Major Projects and Construction teams.
Harley is a trusted advisor to major Australian corporates; State, Territory and Commonwealth government agencies; SMEs and individuals. Harley is approachable and compassionate, and is widely regarded by his clients as commercial, pragmatic and effective in his approach to problem solving and the law.
Some examples of recent notable matters include:
Harley advised the Northern Territory Department of Police, Fire and Emergency Services in relation to the proper construction and application of s16A of the Police Administration Act 1978 (NT).
Harley advised the Northern Territory Department of Land, Planning and Environment and the Northern Territory Department of Logistics and Infrastructure over several years in connection with:
- The procurement and construction of the Northern Territory Art Gallery and the Civic and State Square Revitalisation projects.
- The preparation and negotiation of various related Public Art and Intellectual Property contracts.
- The defence of litigated claims under the Construction Contracts (Security of Payments) Act 2004 (NT).
- The procurement and construction of critical improvements to the Royal Darwin Hospital.
- The procurement and construction of the Aboriginal and Torres Straight Islander Art Gallery of Australia.
- Various disputes concerning the design and delivery of the Darwin Youth Justice Centre and Alice Springs Youth Justice Centre.
- The application of the Independent Commissioner Against Corruption Act 2017 (NT).
Harley advised the Northern Territory Department of Chief Minister and Cabinet in connection with:
- The preparation and negotiation of various critical project documents (including Project Facilitation Agreements, Project Development Agreements, Exclusivity Agreements, Non-Disclosure Agreements, Leases, Licences, and Funding Agreements with major corporate proponents of the Northern Territory’s Middle Arm Sustainable Development Precinct.
- The preparation and negotiation of various Gas Sale Agreements and Transportation Agreements securing long term gas supply for the Northern Territory.
Harley advised the Northern Territory Department of Education in relation to the implementation of recommendations handed down by the NT ICAC in the ICAC’s Report: “An Investigation into Milingimbi School – The Principal’s Initiative”.
Harley advised the Northern Territory Department of Children and Families in relation to the delivery of a Residential Youth Justice Facility in Tennant Creek, NT, including the preparation of comprehensive Special Conditions of Contract required to ensure compliance with an upstream Indigenous Land Use Agreement.
Harley advised the NT Power and Water Corporation (a Government Owned Corporation of the Northern Territory Government) in relation to the preparation and negotiation of several Funding Agreements.
Harley represented Darwin Port in relation to the preparation and negotiation of complex Construction and Operating Licences with Crowley Australia Limited in its capacity as a contractor of the US Department of Defence, pursuant to which Crowley would construct and operate a long term bulk liquid transmission pipeline to transport jet fuel within the Port precinct.
Our Approach
Tallwood Law is driven by the vision of creating an exceptional commercial law firm on the NSW South Coast.
Our approach to the law prioritises quality of product and clarity of communication above all else, because we understand and appreciate that these are the pillars underpinning the success of our vision.
We are committed to excellence and professionalism in everything we do. We are clear, pragmatic and commercial. We are thorough. We are approachable, engaged and adaptable. We are responsive, always.
When we take on a client, we are committed to taking the time to understand their business and their needs (both acute and systemic). This ensures that our approach to advice, strategy and the structuring of transactions is always tailored, on point, and aligned with their short term needs and long term vision.
We are a firm which holds true to our values, even in the face of adversity. Our clients can trust that our advice is always considered, measured and honest, and our clients can rely on the fact that we will be by their side, in the trenches, through every step of every matter, whether it be a project, transaction or dispute.
Our Values
Quality
We believe, fundamentally, that our clients deserve the highest quality legal product and service – near enough, is not good enough.
Excellence
We are committed to excellence in everything we do for our clients and community.
Impact
We are committed to making long term, impactful, contributions to our clients and our community through select pro bono and Legal Aid engagements, volunteering, and community sponsorships.
Trust
We conduct ourselves with honesty, integrity, and professionalism, always. Our clients can trust that we are engaged and dependable and will always act in their best interests, even when faced with adversity. Our clients can also trust in the fact that we will be by their side, in the trenches, through every step of every matter, whether it be a project, transaction or dispute.
Adaptable
The law does not exist in a vacuum. We understand that each legal matter, whether it be a project, transaction or dispute, takes place within an everchanging landscape. This means that strategic priorities can and often will change without warning. We are committed to remaining agile and adaptable in our approach.