Jason Behrendt

Jason Behrendt has been a valued member of Chalk & Behrendt since 1996, beginning with his tenure at Andrew Chalk Associates, the firm’s predecessor. With over 20 years of experience, Jason provides expert advice to clients and represents them in complex litigation. As an Aboriginal person, Jason brings a unique perspective to his work, having served for many years as an external adviser to Aboriginal land councils and representative bodies across Australia. He possesses extensive expertise in administrative law, land rights, heritage, native title, and natural resources law. Throughout his career, Jason has played a pivotal role in numerous significant cases, including successful Aboriginal land claim appeals in New South Wales, among them the first appeal heard by the High Court. He was instrumental in achieving favourable outcomes in the native title claims for the Wellesley Islands Peoples—the Lardil, Kaiadilt, Yangkaal, and Gangalidda—and for the Githabul people of north-eastern New South Wales. In recognition of his longstanding contribution to the development of law and policy impacting Indigenous Australians, Jason was awarded the Law Society of NSW’s President’s Medal in 2019. His work continues to support Indigenous communities in asserting their rights and interests.