Sharon Levy commercial disputes building construction lawyer insolvency debt recovery contracts procurement

Areas of Expertise

Sharon is a Partner in our Dispute Resolution & Advisory team. Acting for clients in varied industries and markets has enabled Sharon to develop tailored strategies in conjunction with her clients which are pragmatic, effective and commercial.

With extensive experience and knowledge in general commercial disputes, Sharon also has a particular expertise in building and construction and strata disputes. Through working in boutique and mid-tier firms for over 15 years, she has experience acting for a diverse range of clients including builders, developers, sub-contractors, owners corporations, high net worth individuals and Councils.

Sharon regularly appears in the District and Supreme Court, as well as the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) and prides herself on providing clients with exceptional results.

In addition, Sharon is the chair of a not-for-profit organisation, a role which gives her valuable training, insight and experience into the duties and obligations which govern many of her clients.

What Sharon’s Clients Say

“I have worked with Sharon for many years. She is diligent, centred on client’s interests and alert for a sensible resolution. As counsel, I have found she always fully prepares and she provides invaluable direction and control over her matters.” - Frank Kalyk

"Sharon has shown me the perfect mix of professionalism, measure and grace and didn’t forget the human element required when involved with such a highly emotionally charged client who was going through one of her toughest challenges. I could not have wished for more in a lawyer." - Private Client

Qualifications and Memberships

Master of Laws (Applied Law) majoring in Commercial Litigation (highest graduating student)
Bachelor of Commerce (Marketing)/ Bachelor of Laws (Western Sydney University)
Law Society of New South Wales
Women Lawyers Association of New South Wales

A word from Sharon

“Being a commercial disputes lawyer necessarily means assisting clients during what can be a particularly stressful time, when both tensions and emotions are running high. It is important for clients to have someone they can trust and who they can depend on to approach the dispute objectively and commercially; who can provide a clear, organised and pragmatic strategy for the way forward. It is satisfying to know I am that person for my clients, and I enjoy developing a relationship with them while we work through their problem to achieve the best possible outcome.”

Career highlights

Winner of the Women Lawyers Association of NSW - Private Practice Lawyer of the Year award 2021.
Successfully acting for the Coopers in Cooper v The Owners – Strata Plan No 58068 [2020] NSWCA 250. This highly-publicised Court of Appeal proceeding against an owners corporation challenged the validity of a by-law regarding the keeping of animals (excluding assistance animals) in a strata building. The challenge was successful, and the by-law was declared by the Court to be harsh, oppressive or unconscionable. The case effectively changes the way owners corporations can govern their strata schemes in NSW generally, not just as it relates to animals. The case also resulted in amendments to the Strata Schemes Management Act 2015 and has positively impacted many pet owners in NSW.
Successfully defending an action commenced in the Supreme Court of NSW by an employer against an employee for breach of a restraint of trade. The employer sought the payment of damages from the employee as well as orders that the employee account for profits and be restrained from carrying on a directly competing business. Based on the affidavits and evidence obtained on behalf of the employee client, the employer chose to discontinue the proceedings and was required to pay the employee’s costs. The proceedings also involved the successful defence of numerous applications to freeze the employee’s assets, with the applications being dismissed and orders made requiring the employer to pay the client’s costs whilst the proceedings were still ongoing.
Acting for an owner’s corporation in proceedings against a builder for defective works which included structural and general defects, as well as major water proofing issues. The matter resolved by way of deed requiring the builder to return to site to rectify the defects under supervision of the owners’ chosen expert.
Acting for a builder in an action commenced by an owner’s corporation for a significant number of defects, many of which were ultimately agreed by the building experts to be maintenance items or otherwise issues for which the builder was not liable, allowing the matter to resolve by way of an agreed Work Order.
Acting for a vendor in the sale of a business in an action for the payment of the balance of purchase moneys under the sale contract. Following a full hearing, the Court found in the client’s favour to the full extent of the claim and ordered the defendant to pay the client’s costs on an indemnity basis following the issuing of an Offer of Compromise early in the proceedings.
Acting for a director in a claim brought by a bank in the Supreme Court of NSW seeking payment of a company loan by way of enforcement of a guarantee given by the director.
Acting for parents in Supreme Court proceedings brought by a daughter who was seeking declarations that the home purchased by the parents had been gifted to the daughter and orders that legal title be transferred to the daughter.