Sarah Sinclair > MinterEllisonRuddWatts > Auckland, New Zealand > Lawyer Profile
MinterEllisonRuddWatts Offices
PWC TOWER, 15 CUSTOMS STREET WEST
PO BOX 105 249
AUCKLAND 1143
New Zealand
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Sarah Sinclair
Work Department
Construction and Infrastructure
Position
Partner and Chair of MinterEllisonRuddWatts
Career
Chair of the MinterEllisonRuddWatts partnership, Sarah is a highly regarded construction, infrastructure and energy specialist. She has extensive experience acting for both government and private sector clients in large-scale, complex infrastructure projects and public sector reform programmes. Sarah brings a unique whole of system viewpoint and is known for providing commercially pragmatic, strategic advice on infrastructure funding models, procurement strategies, programme delivery, legislative frameworks and contracting structures.
Sarah leads our firm’s roles on the Three Waters Reform Programme, Light Rail project, City Rail Link project and the Anchor Projects in the Christchurch rebuild. She has acted on all Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the New Zealand market and is also leading our team supporting the Wellington Gateway Partnership on the delivery of Transmission Gully. Sarah is adept at conceptualising strategy and navigating challenges inherent in projects carried out in the public eye.
Languages
English
Memberships
Officer of the International Bar Association’s (IBA) International Construction Projects Committee
Inaugural board member, New Zealand Infrastructure Commission, Te Waihanga
Trustee, NZ Housing Foundation
Trustee, Reinstatement of Christchurch Cathedral Trust
Education
LLB (Hons), BCom, University of Auckland (1990)
Lawyer Rankings
New Zealand > Projects and resources management (including environment)
(Leading individuals)MinterEllisonRuddWatts draws considerable praise from clients, who turn to the team for its ‘very good knowledge, expertise and experience’ on the full spectrum of environmental and planning issues. The team acts for central and local government bodies, blue-chip principals and developers on large-scale and complex projects and disputes. Sarah Sinclair leads the infrastructure practice at the firm and is noted for her extensive experience acting for both government and private sector clients in matters involving large-scale, complex infrastructure. Bianca Tree heads the property and environment division and is recommended for her resource management and environmental law specialism. Specialist procurement and transactional construction practitioner Travis Tomlinson is routinely engaged by public and private sector clients on a host of complex and large-scale projects. Rachel Devine departed to private practice in July 2022.
New Zealand > Real estate and construction
(Hall of Fame: Real estate and construction)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.
Lawyer Rankings
- Hall of Fame: Real estate and construction New Zealand > Real estate and construction
- Leading individuals New Zealand > Projects and resources management (including environment)
- Projects and resources management (including environment) New Zealand
- Real estate and construction New Zealand
Top Tier Firm Rankings
- Banking and finance
- Competition law
- Corporate and M&A
- Dispute resolution
- Investment funds
- Labour and employment
- Restructuring and insolvency
- Restructuring and insolvency
- Transport (rail, road, air and sea)
- Projects and resources management (including environment)
- Real estate and construction
- Restructuring and insolvency
- Restructuring and insolvency
- Tax
- TMT