Our Team

Career

After completing his University studies in law and economics, Nick worked in the commercial law division of the Northern Territory’s largest law firm for over 7 years before establishing his own law firm, Cozens Johansen Lawyers, with Patrick Cozens.

Community

In the community, Nick is a member of the Historical Society of the NT.  Nick and his partner Linh also assist with fundraising activities for the SIDS and Kids foundation (NT).

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws (Honours) (Charles Darwin University)
• Bachelor of Economics (University of Adelaide)
• Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (Australian National University)
• Admitted as a Legal Practitioner in the Northern Territory
• High Court of Australia Register of Practitioners

Professional Memberships

• The Resources and Energy Law Association (AMPLA)
• Law Society of the Northern Territory

Career

After graduating from the University of Adelaide with Honours, Patrick worked as a South Australian Government Lawyer in the Crown Solicitor’s Office for 3 years.

Patrick then moved to Alice Springs and practised law in the private sector for 3 years. He then moved to Darwin where he continued to work for a large private firm.

In 2015, Patrick became a founding Director and Partner at Cozens Johansen Lawyers with Nick Johansen.

Community

In the community, Patrick is a Board Member the NT State Council of the Australian Human Resources Institute and of the Memo Club in Alice Springs. Patrick has previously been a Board Member of the Chamber of Commerce NT, and has held a number of roles in other organisations in Alice Springs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws (Hons) (University of Adelaide)
• Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (Law Society of South Australia)
• Admitted as a Legal Practitioner (2008)
• High Court of Australia Register of Practitioners (2011)
• Certified HR Professional (CAHRI) with AHRI

Professional Memberships

• Law Society of the Northern Territory

Career

After graduating with a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Western Australia, Cassy worked for Slater & Gordon in Perth. She relocated to the Territory and started her Darwin legal career working with a small firm in 2012.

After several years in the private sector in the NT (including as Director of a small local firm), she worked for the NT Health department on a review of the NT mental health legislation. Cassy was next a Director / Partner of Piper Ellis lawyers between 2016 and 2021, before joining the NT Bar.

Prior to studying law, Cassy was a registered nurse (2003-2011), and has a keen interest in medicolegal matters and health related law.

Cassy started as Special Counsel at Cozens Johansen Lawyers in January 2023.

She continues in her casual role at Charles Darwin University, tutoring Torts.

Community

In the community, Cassy is a voluntary member of the NT Contingency NT Contingency Legal Aid Committee. She has previously held other board positions in the NT and was a Sessional Member of NTCAT from 2017 until 2023.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws (University of Western Australia)
• Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (College of Law)
• Admitted as a Legal Practitioner (2009)
• High Court of Australia Register of Practitioners (2011)
• Bachelor of Nursing (Edith Cowan University)

Professional Memberships

• Law Society of the Northern Territory

Career

David obtained his L.L.B from Adelaide University in 1977 and was first admitted to practice as a solicitor in South Australia in 1979. He moved to the Territory in January 1980 to work for the Darwin firm, Ward Keller and became a partner of that firm in 1986. David then joined the Independent Bar and became a barrister on 1 February 1995. He practiced as a Barrister from William Forster Chambers, Darwin until 2023 when he joined Cozens Johansen Lawyers as Special Counsel.

In addition, to the above, David has been engaged as a mediator since 2003 and in 2009, started acting as an adjudicator in claims made pursuant to the Construction Contracts (Security of Payments) Act (NT). David was a Member of the Mental Health Review Tribunal from February 2017 to 2019 and has been a Sessional Member of the Northern Territory Civil and Administrative Tribunal from July 2018.

Community

David has been engaged in many community roles over the years. Most recently, David was on the Law Society Council from 2021-2023.

Qualifications

• LLB from Adelaide University
• Admitted as a legal practitioner (1979)
• High Court of Australia Register of Practitioners (1979)

Professional Memberships

• Law Society of the Northern Territory

Career

Aaron graduated from Flinders University in 2014, where he received academic awards in Mining Law and Criminal Practice and Advocacy.   He then worked for a multifaceted construction company as a Commercial Manager and for the Government of South Australia as a Contract Manager in the buildings and civil construction divisions, before relocating to Darwin to join Cozens Johansen Lawyers.

Prior to studying law, Aaron completed a Bachelor of Science (Agricultural Science) with first class Honours at the University of Adelaide.

Community

In the community, Aaron is currently the Chairperson for the South Australian Arabian Riders and Breeders Association (SAARABS).

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws & Legal Practice (Flinders University)
• Admitted as a Legal Practitioner (2017)
• Bachelor of Science (Agriculture Science)
• Honours Degree (Science)
• Certificate IV in Work Health & Safety

Professional Memberships

• Law Society of the Northern Territory

Career

After several years as a senior executive and consultant to top-tier international companies in China, Lucy moved to Darwin in 1997.  She established businesses focusing on property investment and retailing.

With many years of commercial experience working both in China and Australia, Lucy has gained a deep understanding of managing issues in the buying, selling and leasing of property, body corporate management, body corporate litigation, debt recovery, family trusts, unit trusts, business sales, negotiating joint ventures, and retail management.

Community

Lucy has been active in the community and over the years has supported a number of community and charitable bodies, including the Charles Darwin University Foundation, Government House Foundation, CareFlight, Skal International Darwin, Women in Thoroughbred Racing, Somerville Community Services, Down Syndrome Association of the NT, Scouts NT, The Smith Family, and National Seniors NT.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws (Charles Darwin University)
• Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (The College of Law)
• Admitted as a Legal Practitioner in the Northern Territory (8 May 2018)

Professional Memberships

• Law Society of the Northern Territory

Career

Sam graduated from Charles Darwin University in 2021. During her Law degree Sam worked for the International Workplace Group, where she handled debt management and was privy to contractual disputes within the company. Following her completion of her Bachelor of Laws in 2021, Sam joined Cozens Johansen Lawyers in early 2022 while completing her Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice.
She has Since been admitted as a lawyer of the NT Supreme Court and to the Register of Practitioners in High Court of Australia.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Laws (Charles Darwin University)
• Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice (College of Law)
• Admitted as a Legal Practitioner (2022)
• High Court of Australia Register of Practitioners (2022)

Professional Memberships

• Law Society of the Northern Territory
• NT Young Lawyers Association