Lisa Curran

Consultant

Lisa has over 20 years’ experience in both the UK and New Zealand in major infrastructure projects. Recognised as a Next Generation Partner by The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific (Transport), Lisa is sought after by clients for her commercially focused legal advice on the procurement and delivery of major infrastructure projects.

Her experience spans across the full spectrum of industry sectors, including roading and transport, water infrastructure, energy, electricity and health.

Lisa has been the lead legal advisor on many large infrastructure projects in New Zealand, such as the Canterbury multi-use arena, City Rail Link, Transmission Gully and major Three Waters projects.

A key area of Lisa’s expertise involves assisting public and private sector clients in devising procurement and delivery strategies for large-scale programmes of work. This requires strategic and commercially focused legal advice on how to best procure and structure documentation to meet the needs of the programme, the client and the market. For public sector clients, Lisa has a wealth of experience with the Government’s procurement rules and public sector good practice.

Lisa has drafted, negotiated, and advised on a variety of construction contracts. These include collaborative contracts, such as alliancing contracts and panel/framework contracts. She also has experience with more traditional contracts such as build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) contracts, EPC contracts, design and build contracts, operation and maintenance and supply agreements. She has advised on standard form contracts such as New Zealand’s NZS391X suite, ACENZ CCCS, NZIA and international forms of contract used in New Zealand such as FIDIC and NEC.

Prior to joining MinterEllisonRuddWatts, Lisa worked in the construction practice at another top tier New Zealand law firm.

Career highlights

Advising the Crown on all aspects of the Auckland Light Rail project.

Advising the Department of Internal Affairs on the development and implementation of the Government’s Three Waters Reform programme. This reform transforms the delivery of the Three Waters services for the benefit of all New Zealanders. Advised local authority organisations on all aspects of the delivery of Three Waters programmes of work, at all stages of the project lifecycle, including from strategic planning, to procurement, to delivery and operation.

Advised on many of NZ’s PPP projects and other public/private sector procurement models such as development agreements and BOOT contracts. Lead legal advisor on many iconic public sector projects such as Canterbury multi-use arena, AC-36 Base, University of Auckland’s new Recreation and Wellness Centre, Britomart above ground development and Auckland’s Spark Arena.

Affiliations
  • Member, Society of Construction Law New Zealand
  • Member and Mentor, Auckland Women Lawyers’ Association
  • Solicitor, England and Wales (non-practicing)
Achievements and recognition
  • Next Generation Partner, Transport, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
  • Band 1 team, Construction, Chambers Asia-Pacific
  • Tier 1 team, Construction, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific