MinterEllisonRuddWatts' practice is home to a team praised as 'masters of the field in construction law', with a depth of expertise in advising on complex disputes and prominent infrastructure projects. Janine Stewart leads on the construction side, with 'excellent skills and experience in construction litigation'. Stephen Price and Travis Tomlinson are also key contacts for disputes work, and Tomlinson is well known for his infrastructure and energy expertise. Sarah Sinclair is eminent in the market for her track record in advising on the country's most high-profile infrastructure projects, and Mark Crosbie advises on the full lifecycle of commercial construction projects. Head of the firm's property offering, David Gilbert, handles acquisitions, developments and leasing for public and private sector clients. Andrew Monteith fields extensive experience in advising commercial and infrastructure property matters; Amanda Spratt's workload includes acquisitions and disposals, developments, forestry, insolvency, and property finance; and Holly Hill focuses on sustainability issues. Ross Pickmere has retired from practice.

Legal 500 Editorial commentary

Testimonials

Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.

'MinterEllison's construction team is without doubt one of the top construction teams in Auckland. They have deep resources in talent and experience and handle large complex cases exceptionally well. They are masters of the field in construction law.'
'The practice is responsive and has a wide range of very skilled people that collaborate amongst the different functional areas to provide considered advice.'
'Very knowledgeable in their practice area.'
'MinterEllison's construction team is probably unique in NZ in combining construction project and litigation experience in one specialist team.'
'The MinterEllison team is definitely one of the most experienced in specialist construction litigation.'
'Janine Stewart is a very good lawyer with excellent skills and experience in construction litigation and a pleasure to work with. She is intelligent, pragmatic, outcomes focused and strategic. She is level-headed and a good team manager.'
'Complex issues are resolved quickly.'

Key clients

AECOM New Zealand
Auckland Council
Channel Infrastructure
Cooper and Company
Department of Internal Affairs
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare
Fulton Hogan
Generus Living Group
Health New Zealand
Jacobs New Zealand
Kiwi Property Group
Mercury New Zealand
Metlifecare
Ministry for Primary Industries
Ministry of Education
Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Transport
Pan Pac Forest Products
Rau Paenga
Wellington Gateway Partnership
Credit Suisse
Global Forest Partners LP
One Forty One
Fisher & Paykel Healthcare Properties Limited
Newcrest LP
New Zealand Bus Limited
ANZ Bank New Zealand Limited
Westpac (NZ) Investments Ltd
Precinct
Z Energy Limited

Work highlights

Advising the Department of Internal Affairs on a project concerning the reform of the three waters sector.
Advising Rau Paenga (formerly Ōtākaro and CERA) on all aspects of its ongoing NZ$1bn+ earthquake rebuild ‘Anchor Projects’.
Represented Metlifecare in High Court proceedings against James Hardie entities in New Zealand, Australia, and the Republic of Ireland.

Lawyers

Hall of Fame: Real estate and construction

The lawyers at the very top of the profession, widely known and respected by peers and clients for their longstanding involvement in market-leading work.