04 September 2007
Key Points:
Ranked No. 1 in PLC Which Lawyer? 2007
In the latest edition of the PLC Which Lawyer? legal directory, our Clayton Utz Major Projects and Construction practice was ranked as the Leading Firm in Construction – Australia.
In the Australian rankings for Individual Lawyers of note, the head of our national practice Doug Jones was identified as the Leading Lawyer in Construction, and partners from our Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne practices, Sergio Capelli, Arch Fletcher and Andrew Stephenson were nominated as Recommended Construction Lawyers.
The PLC Which Lawyer? (formerly Global Counseel 3000) results are based on interviews and peer and client feedback. We are pleased that Construction practice rankings have now been reinstated within the PLC Corporate Real Estate category after a two year absence, and particularly that we had maintained our position as Australia’s only top tier Construction firm.
Clayton Utz also ranked as a Leading Firm in Real Estate, and Sydney partners Julie Levis and Peter McMahon were listed as Highly Recommended Lawyers and Gary Best as a Leading Individual Lawyer in real estate law.
In PLC’s Project Finance category, our team achieved a Highly Recommended ranking, with John Shirbin, Clive Craven, Michael Tuckfield and Quentin Solomon being singled out as recommended project finance lawyers.
Highly Regarded in the Who’s Who of Construction Lawyers 2007
In The International Who’s Who of Construction Lawyers 2007, four Clayton Utz Construction partners were recognised: Doug Jones, Andrew Stephenson, Arch Fletcher and Dale Brackin.
Clayton Utz was hailed by one interviewee as "a first rate firm in the area".
In the extensive peer survey research undertaken, Doug Jones was "Australia’s most highly nominated individual" and identified as a "prominent figure in the Australian construction bar" and an "outstanding lawyer". Doug was very honoured to be named as one of the Most Highly Regarded Individuals - Global, the only Australian lawyer nominated in the prestigious list of the top eleven Construction lawyers in the world.
Deal of the Year wins at the ALB Australasian Law Awards
Clayton Utz’ reputation as the leading legal adviser on Australia’s most complex and significant infrastructure projects was further reinforced at the recent 3rd Australian Legal Business (ALB) Australasian Law Awards 2007 when the Major Projects and Construction practice group recorded two major Deal of the Year wins.
Our team received the Commercial Property and Construction Deal of the Year for the Brisbane North-South Bypass Tunnel (NSBT) project. This marks the third consecutive year that we have advised the project sponsor on the awarding-winning Construction Deal of the Year, having received recognition for the Chatswood Transport Interchange project in 2006 and Melbourne’s Eastlink tollway project in 2005.
We were also awarded the Project Finance Deal of the Year for advising RailCorp on the $3.6 billion Rolling Stock PPP project (featured in this issue and the April edition).
Our involvement in both these major projects was substantial, extending over a two and a half year period and involving a truly national co-ordinated effort to resource from project lawyers across a number of practice areas and offices.
On the groundbreaking A$2 billion-plus NSBT toll road/tunnel project, we advised the Brisbane City Council from the initial business case feasibility phase through all stages of the project structure, tender and contract negotiation processes. It was the first time a local authority had undertaken such an infrastructure in partnership with the private sector, and our team was able to draw on substantial experience in similar road infrastructure PPP projects in Sydney, Melbourne and New Zealand to understand the project’s special requirements and provide expert advice during the procurement process.
In addition to receiving industry recognition with the ALB award, our projects team was rewarded with the appointment to provide legal services and procurement advice for the toll road project’s next phase, the proposed 6.6 km Brisbane Airport Link.
We congratulate Doug Jones and his team on these significant achievements and thank our peers and valued clients for their support.
