Piper Alderman is home to an experienced energy team with a national presence operating across the transmission infrastructure, renewable energy, hydrogen, and oil and gas sectors. Typical mandates for the team include M&A, PPAs, regulatory compliance, joint ventures, franchise agreements and international commercial arbitration. The practice group is co-led by Adelaide-based Martin Lovell and Josh Steele in Brisbane. Lovell is well-versed in a wide array of matters in the renewables sector, including transmission infrastructure, hydrogen issues, battery projects, wind and solar farms, and virtual power plants. Steele is highly regarded for the depth of his expertise in capital raisings, public and private acquisitions, and operational contracts. Juniper Watson represents a range of clients handling electricity and gas generation, transmission and storage matters. The practice was also strengthened by the addition of several new partners with energy sector expertise, including Brent Henderson (in November 2024), Cris Cureton (in February 2025) and David Starkoff (in March 2025), all of whom joined from Squire Patton Boggs.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
‘The team provide focussed and relevant advice.'
- 'They have an experienced team that try to understand our strategy for each contract negotiation, which helps tailor our commercial negotiations to be as non-litigious as possible. They understand our business and commercial position, so responses are always timely, and advice is in line with our strategy.'
- 'The team are strongly led by Martin Lovell - whenever challenged we always feel we have the best negotiator in the room. He has a balanced, non-threatening approach which nearly always ends in a win-win scenario.'
- ‘The team give no-nonsense, concise and reliable advice’
- 'The firm's long history and knowledge of the oil and gas sector aids their ability to apply pragmatic approaches to the advice given.'
- 'Josh Steele is outstanding at making the client feel comfortable and fully informed of the processes to be undertaken and the outcomes that may eventuate.'
Key clients
- BP Australia
- Origin Energy
- Horizon Power
- Viva Energy
- Department of Energy and Mining
- Adelaide Airport
- Clarke Energy (Australia)
- Beach Energy
- BOC
- ElectraNet
Work highlights
Acting for the South Australian Government in relation to its $13 billion hydrogen hub at Port Bonython in collaboration with private sector project partners to deliver a multi-user precinct leveraging the state's renewable energy opportunities and enabling export from a clean hydrogen industrial hub.
Advising Dyson on electrification upgrades to its Bundoora Depot as part of the broader Metropolitan ZEB Franchise contract with Transport Victoria to provide bus services in Metropolitan Melbourne.
Acting for RJE Global in the negotiation of the EPC subcontract and related documents for balance of plant works with the selected EPC supplier Canadian Solar Inc.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Martin Lovell; Josh Steele
Other key lawyers
Juniper Watson; Brent Henderson; Cris Cureton; David Starkoff; Anthony Economou