Clifford Chance

Clifford Chance launches dedicated transactional Construction team in Australia

Global law firm Clifford Chance has expanded its International Construction Group with the launch of a dedicated transactional Construction team in Australia, led by newly appointed Counsel Katie Joukadjian.

Under Katie's stewardship, the team will provide front end support in connection with the procurement aspects of major projects both within Australia and across Asia Pacific.

Katie re-joins Clifford Chance from Pinsent Masons and brings extensive experience advising developers, sponsors, lenders, investors and contractors on high-profile projects worldwide. She previously worked with the firm's International Construction Group in Abu Dhabi.

With expertise spanning conventional and renewable energy, digital technology, water and waste, mining, oil and gas and large-scale real estate and infrastructure, Katie's appointment further strengthens our offering across key sectors.

Nadia Kalic, Partner and Global Co-Head of Energy & Resources said: "This milestone marks an exciting expansion of our offering in Australia. We're committed to supporting our clients across all stages of their investment into major projects and Katie's extensive front-end construction experience will complement our existing transactional and disputes practices."

Matt Buchanan, Partner and Head of Construction, Asia Pacific said: "Given the scale of investment activity we are seeing in the energy and infrastructure sectors across Asia Pacific and indeed the associated need for truly specialist transactional construction expertise, Katie re-joining the Clifford Chance team will clearly enhance our critical offering to clients in this space."

The new team will also bolster the firm's growing real estate practice, led by Partner Philip Podzebenko, which continues to go from strength to strength in Australia. Philip and his team recently advised student accommodation provider Scape on its acquisition of Aveo Group for AU$3.85 billion – the largest direct real estate deal in Australian history.

The launch of a dedicated transactional Construction team in Australia marks another step in Clifford Chance’s growth trajectory in Australia. It follows the recent appointment of Brad Woodhouse as Partner and Head of Class Actions, as well as the re-establishment of the firm’s M&A practice in Perth, to be led by incoming partners Liz Humphry and Brett Cohen.