Charlie Martel joined Ward Keller in October 2017.

Raised on a sheep and wheat property in central west New South Wales, Charlie completed his law degree in 1997. Before joining Ward Keller, he was a partner at HWL Ebsworth (and its predecessor firms Cridlands MB and Morgan Buckley) and, earlier in his career, a solicitor in the Agribusiness team at Clayton Utz in Perth.

Now based in Gippsland, Victoria, Charlie operates a small beef cattle enterprise alongside his full-time legal practice with Ward Keller. Working remotely, he regularly travels to the Northern Territory to meet with clients.

With more than 25 years’ experience, Charlie has advised on the sale and purchase of numerous cattle stations and other significant agricultural properties across Australia — predominantly in the Northern Territory, but also in Western Australia, Queensland, South Australia and New South Wales.

His extensive knowledge of agricultural land transactions enables him to add real value to the acquisition or sale of rural and agricuiltural properties in the NT and beyond.

Charlie’s clients range from family-owned enterprises to managed funds, listed companies and foreign investors.

While his practice is centred on the agribusiness and food sectors, Charlie also manages a broad commercial practice. His expertise includes family farm succession, land access agreements, joint ventures, and the sale and purchase of small to medium enterprises such as roadhouses, caravan parks and pubs.

Outside the office, Charlie enjoys running cattle and keeping up with his four children. “They keep us pretty busy,” he laughs. “We also love camping, footy, cricket, skiing — anything outdoors”.