Russell McVeagh is growing its market-leading Real Estate & Construction team with the addition of a new partner, Brian Clayton, who joins the firm in November this year.
Brian is a senior construction lawyer with more than two decades of experience advising on large-scale and complex construction projects across New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific, the EU and UK, the Middle East and Africa. Admitted to practice in three jurisdictions, Brian brings deep domestic and international expertise across many sectors including energy and renewables, infrastructure, healthcare and education.
He has held senior leadership roles at major New Zealand and global law firms and has co-founded and run (as CEO) a successful fully integrated export business in the agriculture sector. He created and led the Construction & Major Projects practice at another large New Zealand law firm, and prior to this was Head of Construction for the Middle East and Africa at Shearman & Sterling (now A&O Shearman) where he became the first New Zealander to join the partnership in the firm’s history.
Board Chair David Butler said, "Brian's appointment further strengthens our market-leading capabilities in construction and reflects our ongoing investment and commitment to delivering outstanding results for our clients on complex, large-scale developments. His extensive sector knowledge will be a huge asset to our firm and clients, and ensures we are even better placed to support clients through every stage of their projects, from planning and procurement through to delivery and dispute resolution."
Brian said, "I am thrilled to join such a highly regarded construction team and contribute to its continued success in supporting clients on the delivery of major development and infrastructure projects that help shape our economy and communities."
Brian will be working closely with the firm's other Construction experts, which include Anna Crosbie, Ed Crook and Michael Taylor.