Infrastructure projects and construction work are at the heart of Baker McKenzie, with the team covering a wide array of matters across the energy, construction, housing and water sectors. The group’s lawyers exhibit proficiency across arbitration matters, contract drafting and negotiation, risk management and maintenance agreements. The department is under the leadership of seasoned Sydney-based partner Emanuel Confos, who is adept at assisting clients in the renewable energy, health, hospitality and mining sectors. Confos advises on a wide array of matters, from EPC to consultancy contracts. Harriet Oldmeadow is particularly impressive in dispute resolution and risk management matters, as well as advising on statutory adjudications. The team was further strengthened by the arrival of Melanie Harwood, who joined from an in-house role at MPC Kinetic in November 2024, bringing extensive experience handling PPPs and EPC, O&M, D&C and construct-only contracts.
Legal 500 Editorial commentary
Accolades
Client satisfaction: NPS ®
Testimonials
Collated independently by Legal 500 research team.
- 'The team are flexible and practical in their advice, and this compares favourably to other firms where only one method of providing external legal services may be available.'
- 'Emanuel is fantastic, always available, pragmatic and commercial in his advice. His team are similarly commercial and practical in approach.'
- 'The team have breadth of experience in the infrastructure sector.'
- 'Emmanuel Confos is our go-to partner who has a deep understanding of our business and risk appetite. He has been especially useful in advising on risk allocation on complex supply and installation contracts when negotiating with utility scale counterparties.'
- 'Baker McKenzie are a responsive team who strive to understand the client's business. Particular strength in construction related disputes.'
- 'Harriet Oldmeadow and Emanuel Confos are good at cross leveraging firm capabilities and cross referrals.'
- 'Between Emanuel Confos and Harriet Oldmeadow, you get a legal service that goes far beyond the terms of a contract or the machinery of litigation - they have a genuine and profound interest in the industry of their clients and the commercial success of their clients. As a result the service and advice provided is extremely personalised and attuned to each client's commercial objective.'
- 'Also worth noting is the great care and commitment shown by Emanuel Confos and Harriet Oldmeadow to the development of the skills and competencies of their teams, from senior associates through to graduates and interns.'
Key clients
- Apt.Residential
- CS Energy
- Dexus Wholesale Property Limited
- Mirvac Funds Management Australia Limited
- Global Power Generation Australia Pty Ltd (GPG)
- Honeywell Limited
- Landream
- Lewis Land Group
- 5B
- Multiplex Constructions Pty Ltd
- Potentia Energy
- Roberts & Co
Work highlights
Acting for Honeywell in relation to a PPP and in various disputes related to the Newcastle Mater Hospital project where claims exceed AUD 157 million.
Assisting Valent Energy in developing and delivering the Mornington and Pine Lodge BESS projects in Victoria, Australia.
Advised Potentia Energy on its agreement with CVC DIF and Cbus Super to acquire control of a c. AUD 1bn portfolio of more than 1 gigawatt (GW) of renewable assets across Australia.
Lawyers
Leading partners
The strongest partners in their field, leading on market-leading deals and endorsed by peers and clients alike.
Practice head
Emanuel Confos
Other key lawyers
Harriet Oldmeadow; Melanie Harwood