Peter Seidel

Peter Seidel is the partner responsible for coordinating Arnold Bloch Leibler’s public interest law contributions and is head of the firm’s native title and Indigenous rights practice.

His position emphasizes the notion of giving back to the community and acknowledges a strong commitment the partners have to improve civil society through public interest law contributions. Notably, Peter represented the Yorta Yorta Aboriginal peoples in their landmark native title claim, High Court appeal, and associated legal transactions.

Peter joined Arnold Bloch Leibler as a lawyer in 1993 and became a partner in 2002. Before joining the firm, Peter completed a three-year position at the Federal Court of Australia as the Associate to the then Acting Chief Justice of the Federal Court, Justice Charles Sweeney. Peter is entered on the High Court Register of Practitioners and is entitled to practice as a barrister and solicitor of both the Federal Court and Supreme Court of Victoria.

In Peter’s public interest law coordinating role at Arnold Bloch Leibler, he receives and acts on requests for pro-bono legal assistance through Justice Connect, having previously served on the board of the Public Interest Law Clearing House.

For many years now Peter has been highlighted as one of Australia’s leading lawyers by prominent international legal guides Chambers Asia Pacific, The Legal 500 the Asia Pacific, and Best Lawyers International in the area of native title and traditional owner rights, for his deep commitment to empowering traditional owners. Complementing this, Peter has been similarly recognized by Chambers Asia Pacific in the area of charities for his wealth of experience working for the not-for-profit sector on a range of matters including constitutional, governance, and contractual issues.

In 2020, Peter was awarded Lawyers Weekly ‘Pro Bono Partner of the Year’. Peter is also a previous recipient of the prestigious Human Rights and Equal Opportunity Commission’s Human Rights Award in the Law Category, in recognition of his significant contribution to the promotion and advancement of human rights in Australia.

Amongst other important Indigenous bodies Peter represents, he acts as a trusted adviser to Yamatji Marlpa Aboriginal Corporation, Anindilyakwa Land Council, Yorta Yorta Nation Aboriginal Corporation, First Australians Capital, Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation, Lowitja Institute, Ramahyuck District Aboriginal Corporation, and Wantok Musik Foundation.