Agribusiness

At the heart of Keir Steele Waldon Lawyers lies a deep-rooted commitment to the success of regional and rural Queensland.

We have a long and proud history of building lasting partnerships with rural enterprises and families, fostering opportunities for value creation and growth.

Whether that be navigating complex property transactions, advising on structuring and taxation issues or ensuring the smooth transition of ownership for future generations, our experienced team provide the commercial clarity so that you can get on with business. 

We are proud to have been named a Doyles Recommend Agribusiness firm for the past 6 years.
Cane Fields
Property

With extensive experience in rural property transactions, our team assists with buying, selling, and leasing agricultural land, ensuring compliance with complex regulations and safeguarding our clients’ interests.

  • Sale and purchase transactions
  • Land tenure, resumption and compensation
  • Leasing
  • Easements
Agreements

We also specialize in drafting and negotiating agreements tailored to the agribusiness sector, providing clients with solid contractual frameworks to support their operations.

  • Agistment agreements
  • Livestock sale agreements
  • JV and partnership agreements
  • Water access and management agreements
  • Supply and marketing agreements
Succession

Succession planning is crucial for family-owned rural businesses, and we help clients develop strategies to transition assets and leadership smoothly to the next generation.

  • Estate planning and administration
  • Estate litigation
  • Business structuring
  • Asset protection
Renewables

We also stay at the forefront of the growing renewables sector, advising clients when integrating energy projects like solar and wind farms into their agribusiness operations.

  • Carbon farming
  • Wind and solar project negotiations
  • Regulatory advice

Our Agribusiness Team

Michael Keir

Principal

Jayson Waldon

Principal

Stephen Willis

Senior Associate

Matthew Keating

Senior Associate

Paige Horvat

Lawyer

MICHAEL KEIR

Mick is renowned in North Queensland for being a leading solicitor when it comes to commercial transactions and complex legal issues, especially where ‘left field’ thinking is required.  

With 25 years of experience, he has a knack for seeing problems from a different perspective in order to find innovative solutions that are tailored to his client’s individual goals.

His practical, straight-shooting approach in the areas of commercial, corporate, mergers and acquisitions, rural law and property development, is refreshing for clients who want to see solid, tangible outcomes.

Mick knows that providing advice to clients in these areas of business requires not only an understanding of the relevant law, but also a healthy appreciation of the commercial realities involved in each particular transaction.

Mick provides advice to small, medium and large agribusiness operators, local governments, government owned corporations, corporate and family businesses across a diverse range of industries. He has quality experience in the beef, cane, aquaculture, aviation, energy, solar, marine, mining, quarry, health, probity, property development and construction industries and sits on several private advisory boards in that regard. Mick is recommended by Doyles as a Leading Agribusiness Lawyer – Queensland, and is also a director of Mercy Community Services NQ.

When the weather’s good, Mick likes to hitch his boat to the back of his 4WD and set out with his four teenage sons Connor, Harri, Darcy and Sam, exploring the hidden gems of North Queensland.

JAYSON WALDON

Jayson has an approachable and genuine style coupled with an ability to take complex legal issues and break them down for clients, so they can gain a full understanding of their matter.  

Jayson is known for delivering practical clear advice to clients across regional Queensland. Having grown up in Ingham, Jayson has a strong connection with rural Queensland and a better understanding than most about what makes regional communities tick.

Jayson provides advice to private clients, family businesses, small to medium enterprise and rural enterprise on a range of corporate and commercial matters including all aspects of property law, estate and succession planning, elder law and rural law.

Jayson has an approachable and genuine style coupled with an ability to take complex legal issues and break them down for clients, so they can gain a full understanding of their matter.

Jayson is passionate about helping local businesses and individuals succeed, which is why he has built such a loyal client following and professional network over the past 20 years.

“Clients and community have always underpinned my approach to business. Throughout my career I’ve received unwavering support from the Hinchinbrook and greater North Queensland community, which is why it is important for me to do my utmost to return the favour and achieve positive outcomes for my clients and give back to the community.”

When he’s not at work you will likely find Jayson running one of his four boys to training or a sporting event on the weekend.

MATTHEW KEATING

Finding the right commercial lawyer can be tricky. Matthew has the proven experience and right attitude to guide you through your property and transaction matters.
Matt is passionate about achieving the best outcome, which is why he has a loyal following of clients.

“I build strong relationships with the people I work with and I really get to know their businesses. My clients know they can trust me to handle their matters whether it’s a higher-level property acquisition and sale, or a standard conveyance.”

Matt’s been in property law for over 12 years, and currently supervises the conveyancing practice at Keir Steele Waldon Lawyers. He works on a day to day basis with individual, commercial and retail clients on property acquisitions and sales, and has developed a skillset and passion for agri-business, having worked on a number of significant rural sales and property acquisitions in North Queensland.

Matt’s job requires an expert level of multi-tasking. One of his proudest career achievements was recently settling three large commercial and business transactions, including sale of an aquaculture operation, purchase of a pharmacy and acquisition of a transport company, in three days. The trifecta was achievable through relentless work ethic and countless iced lattes.

When he’s not on the tools at Keir Steele Waldon, Matt enjoys his charity work as a board member of the Tropical Brain and Mind Foundation, and is proud of the fact that the board successfully championed for Townsville to be named as Australia’s first Mentally Healthy City.

PAIGE HORVAT

Paige practises in the areas of commercial property and estate planning. She is renowned for her ability to quickly build a rapport with clients and prides herself on timely and commercially astute advice.

Paige conducts property transactions for small businesses and individuals including residential and commercial conveyancing, leasing, easements and rural transactions. Paige also advises clients in relation to estate planning matters such as Wills and Enduring Powers of Attorney.

Paige recently relocated from Townsville to our Ingham office where she has immersed herself in the community. She is the current captain of the Herbert River Women’s Rugby League team and a committee member of the Herbert River Netball Association.

When she’s not at work you’ll find Paige catching up with friends and family, watching her beloved Parramatta Eels or playing local league for Herbert River.