Senior Counsel - Major Projects

Snr Counsel - Projects, Energy Infrastructure

Senior Legal Counsel 
Projects, Energy & Infrastructure
Sydney

Our client is a major part of Australia's Energy system and particularly in the current Energy Transition.
The projects that you will work on in this role are integral to the energy transition of the national electricity system to a renewables-based system.

This is a genuinely Senior Legal Counsel role reporting to the General Counsel and working with a team of other Senior Legal counsel to deliver critical infrastructure energy projects.
You will work to provide strategic, timely and commercially focused legal advice on all aspects of the project, from initial contracting through delivery and any potential claims/disputes.
The Senior Legal Counsel must be a trusted advisor and business partner who will work closely with the project teams and wider legal team and other functions to bring these projects to fruition.

Key accountabilities and responsibilities:

  • Proven track-record in procurement and/or delivery of major infrastructure projects.

  • Lead contractual negotiations on all aspects of these complex multi-faceted multi-billion dollar projects including any construction contracts for major transmission infrastructure projects including EPC, D&C etc

  • Strategic advice on project structuring and risk management strategies.

  • Provide the business with timely support and advice on the administration of contracts during delivery of the project, including variation claims and any claims from contractors.

  • Work closely with internal and external stakeholders on all aspects of the projects from the approvals phase to construction and through delivery.

  • Manage external lawyers and work closely with the wider legal team and functions.

  • Legislative Compliance & Review

  • Timely advice on the implications of changes in the regulatory environment.

  • Ensure internal policies, procedures and relevant Commonwealth and/or State-based licences and authorisations are appropriately interpreted and complied with by the business.

  • Provide commercial legal advice to the organisation on its rights and obligations pursuant to relevant legislation.

  • Exposure to some of (Energy/National Electricity Rules, Property, Planning & Environment etc) would be preferred but not essential.

  • Stakeholder Management

  • Liaise with government officials, departments or agencies on matters affecting the projects.


Selection criteria

  • Admitted (or able to be admitted) as a solicitor of the Supreme Court of New South Wales.

  • Minimum 8+ years major projects and construction law experience (preferably gained in private practice and in-house).

  • Strong commercial drafting, reviewing and negotiating skills.

  • Demonstrated experience working on large infrastructure projects.

  • Proven track-record in identifying and understanding complex commercial and legal risks.

  • Ability to be team-focused and also work independently.

  • Excellent interpersonal and organisational skills.

  • Excellent communication skills (written and verbal).

Chris Meharg