Our Team
Paul Ryan
Paul is principal and founder of Ryan Commercial Lawyers. Paul was a Partner of Corrs Chambers Westgarth where he was National Practice Group Leader of the Property and Infrastructure Group and chaired Corr’s National Liquor Group.
Paul is experienced in all aspects of liquor licensing law. He represents major hotel groups, hoteliers, brewers, resort operators, packaged liquor outlets, clubs, supermarkets, wineries, nightclub owners, restaurateurs and industry bodies.
Paul handles applications for new licences and variations of licences, freehold and leasehold sales and purchases of both licensed and unlicensed premises. Paul advises extensively on compliance and disciplinary issues relating to Liquor Licensing, Gaming and related Legislation.
Paul is the current Chair of the Law Institute of Victoria’s Liquor, Gaming and Hospitality Law Committee. Paul also handles matters involving commercial and residential property, contractual matters, retail and commercial leasing, wills and estate planning, town planning and sports law and is an AFL Players’ Association Accredited Agent. Paul owned and operated the George Public Bar in St. Kilda for 14 years giving a different and very practical perspective on providing advice in this area.
Paul is current President of St Kilda Cricket Club at the Junction Oval.
He is also immediate past Chair of the St Kilda Sacred Heart Mission’s Mission Possible Committee which raises money for the Mission’s Kickstart Sports and Recreation Program and continues to support Sacred Heart Mission in its work with the homeless and disadvantaged in our community.
Tony Joyce
Tony has known and respected Paul Ryan as a person and Lawyer for many years and worked together at Wisewould Mahony for several years.
He is now the most senior practising lawyer in Victoria in Liquor, Gaming and Hospitality. Tony's experience includes a brief term as a Member of the Liquor Control Commission of Victoria which is the predecessor of the present Liquor Control Victoria. His clients have been involved in all aspects of Liquor Gaming and Hospitality.
Tony has extensive experience in residential and commercial property matters, retail and commercial Leases, financing, Wills, Probate, Powers of Attorney, acting as an Executor and as a Power of Attorney for companies and private clients.
Outside the law, Tony was a pro bono advisor to the late and much loved Father Bob Maguire OAM for over 45 years.
Tony joined VGC in 1981, he was the honorary Lawyer to VGC for over 40 years. He became a board member 1991 – 1998. He was VGC President 1999 – 2001. He was elected a VGC life member 2014 and VGC Director 2022-2024.
