The Legal 500

Clayton Utz 'has been the clear leader for a number of years’, and is often identified as 'the one to beat’. The group distinguishes itself from the competition through the depth and breadth of its expertise across Australia, and boasts a 'strong presence across the states’. Doug Jones’ team regularly handles the construction aspects of major projects, and recently followed on from its work on the North-South Bypass Tunnel with an appointment by the Queensland Government to advise on the Airport Link PPP and public-funded Northern Busway project. Jones is a 'leading figure in both the projects and construction field’, and is supported by star partners such as Stephen O’Reilly and Arch Fletcher.

Mallesons Stephen Jaques’ position in the top tier is undisputed. Highlights include Geoff Wood’s advice to Veolia Water on the Sydney Desalination Plant, the largest of its kind in the world, and Andrew Chew’s continuing role acting for RiverCity Motorway Consortium on its successful bid for the A$1.9bn North-South Bypass Tunnel. The group’s client base includes the likes of Laing O’Rourke, Thiess and Multiplex. Clients appreciate the 'level of competence and responsiveness’, and continually instruct the group as their 'typical firm of first choice’. Adam Wallwork 'impresses’, and Peter Pether is also recommended.

Blake Dawson rises a tier on the back of its continued growth, winning a place on panels with Jones Lang LaSalle and Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority, being the only firm to be appointed to all the Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation’s sub-panels, and being appointed to Brookfield Multiplex’s panel for its new infrastructure division. Georgia Quick’s recruitment from Clayton Utz adds weight to a team that already houses the highly recommended Kevin Arkwright and Paul Riethmuller.

Deacons has long been known for its stellar construction practice, and 'tops the charts in Melbourne’. Mark Waddell recently led the team advising Tenix Defence on its A$2bn contract to supply two amphibious ships to the Royal Australian Navy, while John Sharkey and Matt Croagh successfully settled a lengthy dispute for McConnell Dowell against BHP Billiton regarding project Minerva. Sharkey is considered by many to be the 'force driving Deacons forward’, and is seen as 'the leader in the traditional contractor market’. Rob Buchanan joined from Pinsent Masons.

Minter Ellison’s 18-partner team acts for clients across the construction industry, from developers such as Multiplex to financiers such as RBS. Head of construction David Fabian is advising TIDC on the untangling of Sydney’s railways, which involves laying 10km of new track, bridge and station upgrades, installing overhead wire and extending communications signalling. Other highlights include advising the joint venture set up as developer and landlord of Southern Cross-West Tower. Ian Briggs is considered 'one of the best in Brisbane’ for this work.

Allens Arthur Robinson boasts strength in both front and back-end work across its offices. Front-end experience includes advising consortia and financiers bidding for the Mitcham-Frankston Freeway, M4 East, Cross-City Tunnel, Western Sydney Orbital and Lane Cove Tunnel projects, while back-end work saw the team represent a petroleum company in a dispute with a contractor over the construction of a gas plant and offshore flow lines. John Dorter is recommended.

The Corrs Chambers Westgarth team regularly works alongside the firm’s prolific projects group in advising on the construction aspects of major projects. Peter Schenk and Simon Ashworth recently advised the Macquarie/Thiess Consortium on its bid for the Airport Link project, which has an estimated construction cost of A$3bn, while Ashworth, Frank Lawson and Andrew Pitney acted for the Westpac/Becton Property Group Consortium on the Bonnyrigg Living Communities project, Australia’s first social housing PPP. Major clients include Downer, Laytons and Valad.

DLA Phillips Fox is particularly active in the water and roads sectors, having acted on both the Southern Seawater and Kurnell Saltwater desalination projects, as well as the M1 Freeway Redevelopment and the Ipswich Motorway upgrade. The group, which recently recruited Scott Alden from TressCox and Roger Quick from Gadens Lawyers, counts Fortescue Metals, Multiplex and Valad Property as clients. John Gallagher has a strong reputation for contract alliancing, a growing feature in the market.

Baker & McKenzie acts for Becton Property and Fortius Funds Management, which the group advised on the redevelopment of a mixed-use retail and commercial premises in the heart of Sydney’s CBD. Back-end work included representing ThyssenKrupp Engineering (Australia) in an eight-month trial regarding a dispute with a BHP-led joint venture.

Geoff Standen’s team at Colin Biggers & Paisley offers a 'quality service’, and rises a tier on the strength of frequent recommendations. The group largely focuses on major projects, and has a separate construction risks group.

Freehills’ construction team sits within the projects department. The group advised Bovis Lend Lease on all construction aspects for the North Shore Hospital project, and handled the construction aspects for major projects for the Department of Infrastructure (Victoria).

Maddocks is an emerging player in the Australian market. The group more than doubled in size as a result of recruiting Henry Davis York’s nine-strong team, and recently attracted new clients such as BlueScope Steel. The group handles all of Sydney Airport Corporation’s major construction work, and is the sole legal adviser to the Victorian Correctional Infrastructure Partnership.

Finlaysons is a strong South Australian player. Anthony Floreani’s team advised the South Australian Cricket Association on its A$90m redevelopment of the Western Grandstand, and acted for Urban Construct and Multiplex Development’s joint venture on its 17-storey Adelaide inner-city apartment building development.

Gadens Lawyers acts for clients such as Stockland, AMP Capital and ANZ Bank, which the team advised on the review of construction documentation and the preparation of construction-related finance documents for the Mercy Hospital redevelopment. Robert Riddell 'provides very good customer services’, and 'excellent client liaison’.

Jackson McDonald is a 'strong player in Western Australia’. The group focuses on advising clients on construction and engineering contracts, though it also covers some back-end work.

McCullough Robertson is recommended for back-end construction work. Guy Humble’s team recently advised on a multimillion-dollar dispute with Multiplex over the construction of a heavy maintenance facility hanger.

In 2007 Middletons recruited 'consummate professional’ Nathan Abbott, who advised Melbourne Cricket Club on its A$425m redevelopment of MCG’s North Stand, to head up it construction practice. Abbott, who has proved 'instrumental in achieving successful outcomes’ for clients, is ably supported by Jeff Goss and Steven Mackay.

Piper Alderman’s Anne Freeman continues to represent Metro Transport Sydney in its multiparty arbitration regarding the construction and installation of the revenue collection and operational control systems at Sydney Light Rail. Robert Speirs and Tim Coleman meanwhile advised GPT on the purchase and development of Ericsson House.

Paul Graham recently joined Sparke Helmore from Mayer Brown JSM in Bangkok to head up the construction and engineering team. The fledgling group sits on the panels of the likes of Sydney Water and the Commonwealth Department of Defence, and recently advised Charter Hall on a A$100m defects claim.

TressCox advises on sensitive developments in the heart of Sydney, including the Ivy luxury penthouse hotel and speciality restaurant development. Brian Ambler continued to strengthen his team by hiring sole practitioner Robert Leacock, who brings clients such as Investa and Winton Property to the table.