Chapman Tripp has announced the appointment of international construction lawyer Brian Clayton.

Clayton joins Chapman Tripp’s Auckland office from Shearman & Sterling’s Abu Dhabi office, where he was a partner in the project development and finance team and ran the firm’s construction practice. Clayton will become a partner at the firm once he has satisfied New Zealand Law Society obligations. 

Clayton specialises in construction and projects, with particular expertise in the energy sector, and has also practised in London, New Zealand and Australia. He has been involved in many large scale and complex construction projects, including in the oil and gas, petrochemical, LNG, power, water, mining, industrial, renewables, infrastructure, commercial, residential and leisure sectors, and has acted for sponsors, developers, contractors and lenders.

 “We are delighted Brian is joining our national construction and real estate team,” said managing partner Andrew Poole. “Brian’s extensive experience in the energy and natural resources sector, and construction and projects expertise across many jurisdictions, enables us to provide international best practice, techniques and structures to our clients… there is a real need for international experience as New Zealand develops and expands key infrastructure assets and the country turns to the huge task of rebuilding Christchurch.”

Chapman Tripp’s clients across these sectors include the NZ Transport Agency, Meridian Energy, Bathurst Resources, Beca Group, Leighton Contractors, Telecom and Chorus, Transpower, Mighty River Power and Transpacific Industries Group (NZ). “While construction activity in the New Zealand market is currently still quite subdued, construction and project activity is set to increase significantly in the medium term as the rebuilding of Christchurch commences and the historic underinvestment in infrastructure is addressed,” said Clayton. “I look forward to using the skills and experience I have gained internationally as these major projects get underway.”

Prior to Shearman & Sterling Clayton worked for Baker & McKenzie in Melbourne, Clifford Chance in London and a New Zealand law firm.