Principal – Dr Mark Fowler

Dr Mark Fowler is a practicing lawyer whose specialist areas of advice include the law applying to not-for-profit organisations, income tax exempt institutions, charities and deductible gift recipients. He has advised a wide range of schools and other educational institutions, international aid organisations, charitable housing associations, benevolent institutions, disability service providers, peak bodies, arts and cultural organisations and religious organisations.

Prior to establishing Fowler Charity Law Pty Ltd in 2019, Mark was a Partner in leading national charity and not-for-profit law firms located in Sydney and Brisbane. He is an Appeals Panel member for the Australian Council for International Development (ACFID), the peak body for Australian non-government organisations (NGOs) involved in international development and humanitarian action. He is a member of the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission Professional Users Group and has served as a member of the Queensland Law Society’s Human Rights Working Group. Mark is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Notre Dame, School of Law, Sydney, and an Adjunct Associate Professor in the Law School at his alma mater, the University of New England. He is also an External Fellow at the Centre for Public, International and Comparative Law, University of Queensland. He holds a doctorate degree in law conferred by the University of Queensland in 2023.

Research publications

• Mark Fowler, Beauty and the Law: A Primer in Philosophy and Theology for Enquiring Minds Committed to the Common Good (Shepherd Street Press, 2024).
• Nicholas Aroney and Mark Fowler, ‘Freedom of Association in Australia’ (2025) 12(1) European Journal of Comparative Law and Governance (Special Issue on Global Perspectives on Freedom of Association’)(guest editor; Maria Cahill) (forthcoming).
• Mark Fowler, ‘The Proposal for an Australian Human Rights Act’, Proceedings of the Samuel Griffith Society Conference 2024, volume 34 (forthcoming).
• Nicholas Aroney and Mark Fowler, ‘Freedom of Association in Australia’ (2024), Global Perspectives on Freedom of Association: Australia, (Societās Working Paper 05/2024) Cork: School of Law, University College Cork.
• Mark Fowler and Alex Deagon, ‘Recognising Religious Groups as Litigants: An International Law Perspective’ (2024) Laws 13, 16.
• Mark Fowler, ‘Charity Law and Critiques of Modernity: An Application of Philosophical and Theological Critiques of Liberalism to Four Fields of Charity Law and Regulation: Civic-Engagement, Anti-Discrimination Law, Critique of Government Policy and Tax Exemption’ (PhD Thesis, University of Queensland, 2023).
• Mark Fowler, ‘Can a Faith-Based Public Benevolent Institution Have a Purpose of “Advancing Religion”?’ (2023) 1 Third Sector Review 65.
• Mark Fowler, ‘The Position of Religious Schools Under International Human Rights Law’ (2023) 2 The Australian Journal of Law and Religion 36.
• Mark Fowler, ‘Judicial Apprehension of Religious Belief under the Commonwealth Religious Discrimination Bill’, in Michael Quinlan and A. Keith Thompson (eds) Inclusion, Exclusion and Religious Freedom in Contemporary Australia, (Shepherd Street Press, 2021).
• Mark Fowler, ‘Attaining to Certainty: Does the Expert Panel’s Proposal for Reform of the Charities Act Sufficiently Protect Religious Charities?’ (2020) 2 Third Sector Review.
• Mark Fowler, ‘Identifying Faith-Based Entities for the Purpose of Anti-Discrimination Law’ in Neville G. Rochow and Brett G. Scharffs Paul T. Babie (eds), Freedom of Religion or Belief: Creating the Constitutional Space for Fundamental Freedoms (Edward Elgar Publishing Limited, 2020).
• Mark Fowler, ‘The Courts and the Marriage Debate’ Upholding the Australian Constitution, Proceedings of the Samuel Griffith Society August (Volume 27) (2017).
• Mark Fowler, ‘Charitable Housing – Update and Future Trends’ in Myles McGregor-Lowndes (ed) The Australian Nonprofit Sector Legal and Accounting Almanac 2014, Working Paper No. ACPNS 64, (The Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies, Queensland University of Technology Prints, 2015).
• Mark Fowler, ‘National Rental Affordability Scheme’ in Myles McGregor-Lowndes (ed), The Australian Nonprofit Sector Legal Almanac 2009, Working Paper No. CPNS 49, (The Australian Centre for Philanthropy and Nonprofit Studies, Queensland University of Technology, 2010)

Lawyer – Alex Millard

Alex Millard is a solicitor with experience in the Australian human rights sector. Before joining Fowler Charity Law in 2023, Alex completed his legal training in NSW at the University of Sydney. He then practiced in the Australian Capital Territory for three years at a dual litigation and advisory practice providing client services nationwide. Alex has particular experience in anti-discrimination law as applying to schools, charities and religious organisations. He has had experience appearing as a witness and providing numerous submissions to law reform inquiries that particularly impacted religious and charitable organisations. Alex’s advisory work for these clients has given him a passion for assisting them in remaining true to their religious and charitable purposes.

Law Clerk – Aaron Alexander

Aaron Alexander is a law graduate who is currently completing the College of Law. He has previously worked in compliance and investigations and has also volunteered in non-profit community legal centres. He brings a diligent and thorough approach and greatly enjoys using his research skills to assist others.

Legal Executive Assistant – Simaima Gordon

Simaima Gordon is a Legal Executive Assistant currently undertaking her Bachelor of Laws and Business Management degree. She has experience in various domestic and international mooting competitions, and also volunteers as a coordinator in the Australian Law Students Association and UQ International Law Society.