Elizabeth Wighton

Biography

Elizabeth Wighton (formerly Lathlean) is a partner in our Corporate Advisory group, where she leads our Charities and Social Sector practice.

She works with charities, not-for-profits and other for purpose organisations through their most significant moments. She advises on mergers and acquisitions, restructures and organisational transformations, as well as charity formation and registration, tax concessions and endorsements, governance and regulatory investigations and compliance.

She is the deputy chair of an international development organisation.

Experience

Elizabeth’s experience includes advising:

  • Little Company of Mary Healthcare on its purchase of all the shares in publicly listed Japara Healthcare for approximately $380 million through a scheme of arrangement, before converting all 83 of the Japara entities into registered charities. This was the first time a registered charity had been involved in a take-private transaction in Australia.

  • AXA IM Alts on its strategic partnership with National Housing Finance and Investment Corporation (NHFIC) and community housing provider St George Community Housing (SGCH) to develop affordable housing, with the first project being in Westmead, Sydney, and more broadly on the development of its community housing arm, Pinnacle Housing, including establishing an integrated charitable arm within the broader AXA group, advising on charity registration, community housing registration compliance, governance matters, and establishment of further SPVs.

  • Bridge Housing on the charity law and governance aspects of a $134 million subordinated debt financing for a landmark social and affordable housing development in Merrylands, Western Sydney, ensuring compliance with Bridge Housing’s obligations as a registered charity throughout the transaction structure.

  • The Burnside War Memorial Hospital on all charity law matters related to its acquisition of Sportsmed SA Hospitals, including its conversion from a for profit entity to a charity registered with the Australian Charities and Not-for-profits Commission (ACNC).

  • University of Sydney Union on the full corporate restructure of the organisation, converting it from an unincorporated association to a public company limited by guarantee, including designing the governance framework, establishing the new entity, managing regulatory approvals and advising on dissolution of the legacy unincorporated association.

  • Kmart Australia on charitable fundraising compliance for national campaigns conducted in partnership with charitable organisations, including a comprehensive review of charitable fundraising requirements across all Australian states and territories and preparation of template compliance documentation.

  • Australian Institute of Company Directors on a complete governance review and refresh, including updating its constitution, board charter, membership framework and related documents.

  • Sydney Breast Cancer Foundation on its spin out from Chris O’Brien Lifehouse into a newly established separate legal entity and registered charity, including assistance with all aspects of the transfer, as well as incorporation of the new company limited by guarantee, its registration with the ACNC and DGR endorsement.

  • Environmental Defenders Office, being the New South Wales entity, on its involvement as the lead organisation in the merger of all state-based Environmental Defenders Office entities.

  • Achieve Australia on the transition of the Focal Community Services disability services business, helping secure the continuity of support for the Ipswich community.

  • Indigenous Land and Sea Corporation on the sale of the operational assets of Voyages Indigenous Tourism Australia Pty Ltd (the operator of Ayers Rock Resort in Central Australia and Mossman Gorge Cultural Centre in Far North Queensland).

  • Australian Banking Association on its conversion from an incorporated association to a public company limited by guarantee, including liaising with key stakeholders for development of an updated constitution.

  • Snow Medical Research Foundation on its establishment as a company limited by guarantee, registration as a charity with the ACNC and endorsement as a deductible gift recipient (DGR).

Awards and Recognition

  • Chambers Asia-Pacific 2026

    Ranked Up and Coming in Charities

  • NSW Women Lawyers Achievement Awards 2015

    Finalist for the Up and Coming Woman Lawyer of the Year award

  • Lawyers Weekly 30 Under 30 Awards 2014

    Pro Bono Lawyer of the Year

  • The Best Lawyers in Australia 2027

    Recognised in Corporate Law