Sandra Steele
K&L GatesLed by ‘legend’ Sandra Steele, K&L Gates' Sydney-based team maintains strong front and back-end construction capabilities, participating in significant infrastructure projects and related disputes across Australia. Steele has 25 years’ experience in contract drafting and negotiation, litigation, and uniquely, in security of payment claims. The ‘incredibly knowledgeable and responsive’ Simon Ashworth focuses his practice on PPPs for electricity transmission lines, road, hospitals and defence contracting.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'Competent team led by Sandra Steele. They care about their client and importantly about the outcome.'
- 'Sandra Steele. Legend. Always has your back in that she knows the pressures from an internal business perspective given her vast experience in-house. She helps you navigate your business pain-points.'
- 'Sandra Steele has a unique ability to advise clients needing front-end and back-end legal services.'
- 'Sandra Steele is a leading construction and infrastructure lawyer. She has excellent technical skills, which are paired with a pragmatic and commercial approach. Sandra consistently delivers excellent client services and is a pleasure to work with.'
- 'Simon Ashworth stands out - incredibly knowledgeable and responsive.'
- 'Simon Ashworth is user friendly and hands-on.'
- 'There is a depth of knowledge and skill in the team, led by a technically brilliant, yet personable, partner. The team work collaboratively and are available to pick up where the last person left off, meaning quicker turn-around times. There is a genuine commitment to nurturing and growing the client relationship. This is demonstrated by the team's responsiveness and curiosity to learn about the business as a whole, not just the specific project.'
- 'Having worked for both D&C and O&M parties, K&L Gates are very well placed to understand the other party's positions and reasons for adopting those positions, enabling a tailored resolution of differences to the satisfaction of both parties. Deep understanding of the contracting nuances in complex infrastructure projects, ensuring the client's position is protected to the best extent possible.'
Key clients
- ABB Australia Pty Limited
- CIMIC Group
- Cairns Airport Pty Ltd
- Cannatrek
- Fuchs Lubricants
- Mackay Airport
- UGL Limited
- CPB Contractors
- ACCIONA Construction Australia
- Ferrovial
- Keolis Downer
- Hyandai Engineering and Construction
- Downer EDI
- Spotless
- Elecnor Australia Pty
- Fletcher Construction Limited
- Honeywell
- Icon Constructions Australia (NSW) Pty Ltd
- Illawarra Retirement Trust
- Loreto Kirribilli Limited
- Opal Aged Care
- Programmed FM
- RATCH Australia
- Serco Australia Pty Ltd
- Seymour Whyte Constructions Pty Ltd
- Translational Research Institute Pty Ltd
- Tenova
- Sydney Airport Corporation
Work highlights
- Advising Keolis Downer on the next project in the Sydney Metro portfolio for the operations and maintenance contract for Sydney Metro West, the 24km underground metro railway connecting new and existing stations.
- Advising DMS Maritime on the procurement for the design and Australian build of a fleet of new amphibious vehicles (Littoral Manoeuvre Vessels) for the Australian Army.
- Advising the CPB, UGL and Hyundai joint venture on the Central-West Orana Renewable Energy Zone network operator project.
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Sandra Steele