At Thornton + King, we often say that Specialist Accreditation isn’t just a title – it’s a commitment to excellence. It represents years of practice, deep technical knowledge, and an unwavering standard of care for every client who entrusts us with their property matter.
This year, we’re proud to celebrate a milestone that sets our firm apart in the Australian legal landscape: Vanessa Caputo and Alan Olcayto have both been formally recognised by the Law Society of New South Wales as Accredited Specialists in Property Law.
With their achievement, Thornton + King now has the highest number of Property Law Accredited Specialists out of all the firms in Australia – a distinction that reflects not only the calibre of our team, but also our enduring commitment to continuous improvement and excellence in client service.
What is Specialist Accreditation?
The Law Society of NSW Specialist Accreditation Program is the most rigorous professional assessment available to lawyers in New South Wales. It is designed to identify practitioners who demonstrate exceptional expertise and practical judgment within a defined area of law.
To qualify, a lawyer must have practised in their specialty for at least five years and devote a significant proportion of their work to that area. Candidates then undergo a multi-stage process that includes:
Comprehensive written examinations assessing deep legal knowledge and problem-solving ability.
Oral assessments conducted by panels of senior specialists and members of the judiciary.
Practical case studies testing how lawyers apply the law to real-world scenarios and client challenges.
Less than 0.5% of all lawyers in NSW hold Specialist Accreditation in Property Law. The process is intentionally demanding: it ensures that only those with exceptional skill, sound judgment, and extensive practical experience are recognised.
Why it matters for clients
For property buyers, sellers, and investors, the legal side of a transaction can be daunting. Beyond the contracts and compliance requirements, there are often time-critical decisions, financial risks, and strategic considerations that require both speed and precision.
Working with an Accredited Specialist in Property Law provides a level of assurance that your lawyer has been independently assessed as operating at the highest professional standard. It means your matter is being handled by someone who:
Understands every stage of a property transaction, from due diligence and contract review through to settlement and post-completion issues.
Can identify and resolve complex title, planning, or development issues that often arise in NSW property law.
Provides clear, practical advice – not just on what the law says, but on what should be done to achieve the best outcome.
At Thornton + King, that level of expertise isn’t reserved for the most complex matters – it applies to every file, from the simplest conveyance to the most intricate multi-party transaction.
Becoming an Accredited Specialist is a personal achievement, but at Thornton + King it also represents something bigger – the strength of our culture.
Our firm has built its reputation on three pillars: technical excellence, real-world understanding, and client care. Every member of our property team works under the guidance of lawyers who have attained – and continually uphold – this highest professional standard.
It’s a culture where knowledge is shared, not siloed. Our senior lawyers mentor and train the next generation, ensuring that the standards set by the Specialist Accreditation Program flow through every level of the firm. The result is a consistent client experience: no matter which office or lawyer you work with, you can expect the same precision, responsiveness, and practical advice that define Thornton + King.
Leadership and continuous improvement
Both Vanessa Caputo and Alan Olcayto embody our firm’s value of Continuous Improvement.
Vanessa has long been recognised by clients and peers for her meticulous approach to property transactions. Her ability to foresee risks and resolve them before they escalate has made her a trusted adviser to developers, investors, and homeowners alike.
Alan brings a commercial perspective honed from years of advising on complex transactions and leasing matters. His Specialist Accreditation recognises not only his depth of legal knowledge but also his judgment in balancing legal precision with commercial reality.
Their achievement reinforces a message that underpins everything we do: learning never stops. Property law is a fast-moving area – shaped by constant legislative reform, evolving market practices, and the unique challenges of the NSW property landscape.
By committing to Specialist Accreditation, our lawyers ensure they remain at the forefront of these developments, so our clients always benefit from advice that is current, strategic, and commercially sound.
The Thornton + King difference
There are more than 18,000 law firms in Australia, yet none have more Property Law Accredited Specialists than Thornton + King.
For our clients, this translates into tangible benefits:
Depth of experience: Every property matter is dealt with by seasoned experts, who are industry leaders in property law and conveyancing.
Consistency of quality: Whether you are buying your first home or negotiating a multi-million-dollar commercial acquisition, you receive the same high level of skill, communication, and attention to detail.
Practical solutions: We focus on real outcomes – helping you meet deadlines, avoid disputes, and make informed decisions with confidence.
Our mission has always been to make the law simple – to bridge the gap between complex legal requirements and the everyday needs of our clients. Specialist Accreditation ensures that the simplicity we promise is built on a foundation of genuine expertise.
Looking ahead
As we celebrate Vanessa and Alan’s achievements, we also reaffirm our commitment to ongoing professional development across the firm.
From training our junior lawyers to supporting advanced study and accreditation, we see Specialist Accreditation not as an endpoint but as a benchmark for what great legal practice should look like.
For more than a century, Thornton + King and its successor firms have been helping clients navigate the complexities of NSW property law. Today, with our market leading team of Property Law Accredited Specialists, we remain dedicated to the same principle that has guided us since the beginning – to provide clarity, confidence, and excellence in every property transaction.
If you’re buying, selling, or investing in property in NSW, our Accredited Specialists can guide you through every stage of the process with precision and care.
To speak to a Property Law Accredited Specialist, give us a call or submit an enquiry now.
