Experienced and Recognised Leading Native Title Lawyer

Gugu Badhun first lodged our native title application in 1994. It wasn't until David took over our claim in 2009 that our application got any traction. David has the respect of the Gugu Badhun community because of the way he handled our claim and the relationships he established with our Elders and claimants. Our successful consent determination on the 1st August 2012 is a result of David's ability to navigate the native title system with the Gugu Badhun community with much cultural sensitivity, diplomacy and tact. We are forever grateful for our successful determination through his hard work and dedication to our cause.

I worked with David Saylor on the Gaangalu Nation People native title claim and a number of development proposals in Queensland for which I was commissioned as the expert anthropologist. David was excellent to work with. He brought clear communication and a collaborative approach that helped keep the work focused and productive. His professionalism, responsiveness, and ability to work constructively with the broader team and First Nations clients made an indispensable contribution to the research and attendant processes.

I have worked in conjunction with Saylor Legal and their Aboriginal Party clients over many years in developing and negotiating cultural heritage management agreements to address the statutory provisions of the Queensland Aboriginal Cultural Heritage Act 2003. Saylor Legal provides a high standard of professional and dedicated service to its clients, soundly based on a best practice approach to cultural heritage management and with a focus to the principles of caring for country, land and heritage.

Saylor Legal is one of the few private firms regularly trusted by QSNTS to support Traditional Owners. David and his team consistently deliver high-quality legal services and strong outcomes for their clients. With extensive experience in rights recognition, cultural heritage and future act matters, David is a passionate advocate for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and is deeply committed to achieving social justice for First Nations communities.

I have known David in his professional capacity as a Native Title solicitor for some 20 years and I believe him to be a very competent solicitor who goes the extra mile for his clients. David has a thorough understanding of the intricacies of Native Title law and he has a common sense approach to the application of that law.

I have worked with David Saylor on a number of native title claims leading to successful outcomes. David is an excellent solicitor and colleague. His insights into what the matter requires and how best to address the needs of the clients is outstanding.

David Saylor led a team of solicitors and worked both tirelessly and professionally for the claimants in the large, successful and important native title claim to the seas of the Torres Strait (Akiba). David understands Indigenous people and their desire for justice through the Native Title Act. He also demonstrates great care for his clients.

Working with and learning from David for over 20 years has been a highlight of my career and the deepest privilege. A staunch advocate, strongly principled, David holds Traditional Owner rights at the forefront. His knowledge, unique skill, generosity, and good humour across engagements with Traditional Owners and lawyers creates deep relationships and trust. David is a true 'one of a kind'.

David focuses on clear, realistic advice supported by pragmatic strategies for complex native title matters, PBCs and RNTBCs corporate governance and compliance matters, assisting boards during growth and change, including risk management guardrails for unique cultural alignment, regulatory disputes, and investigations. David is a leader in the native title, PBC corporate governance, and PBC board advisory and CATSI Act compliance space.

David Saylor is a long-standing, highly reputable and successful practitioner in the native title space in Australia. He is known for speaking up strong for his clients, a calm professional manner and a deep knowledge of the law. I have had the honour and pleasure of working with David on both sides of the table over the years and cannot recommend him highly enough.

David has been the lawyer for the Juru PBC Kyburra Munda Yalga for about 7 years. During this time David has advised the board with corporate governance, native title decision making advice and negotiation assistance and legal advice in our dealings with proponents. He has been honest and transparent throughout the entire engagement with KMY Board. David's professionalism has been greatly admired by the Board of Directors, and he carries out instructions from the Board in a timely manner. Saylor Legal has been instrumental in writing ILUAs, short form agreements, early works agreements and always willing to give the Board advice on native title matters within the three Juru Determination Areas. We Juru people are so blessed to have Saylor Legal represent us.

Saylor Legal has provided our Prescribed Body Corporate with outstanding legal services in relation to the Native Title Act 1993. Their expertise, responsiveness, and culturally informed approach have been invaluable in supporting our governance, compliance, and negotiations. We highly recommend their services to any PBC requiring reliable and specialist native title advice.

David has been the solicitor on the record for the Gaangalu Nation People native title claim since July 2018. David has worked tirelessly with the GNP Applicant to finalise our claim which was programmed for a trial. We lost at trial and with David's experience and hard work we convincingly won our appeal in the Full Court of the Federal Court. David also assists GNP with negotiating ILUAs, ancillary agreements and cultural heritage management plans. I recommend David to any TO group who are looking for a hard working and experienced native title lawyer.

David Saylor has been the solicitor for the Gaangalu Nation People native title claim since July 2018. David also assists the GNP Applicant with future acts and cultural heritage negotiations. David has a good understanding of our culture and protocols, and he provides advice in simple language. David has worked very hard on our native title claim and it is through his hard work we won our appeal in the Full Court of the Federal Court on 5 December 2025. I have no hesitation in recommending David.