arrow-downcircle-playclosecrossdowndownward-rightdropdown-arrow-transparentdropdown-arrowemail-solidemailfacebook-solidfilterhamburgerillustration-aucklandillustration-wellingtonlayer-groupleftlinkedIn-solidlinkedIn-whitelinkedInloadermenuphonerestartrightsearchtwitter-solidupward-right-lgupward-rightvCard
Sean Kim

Sean Kim

Senior Associate

Sean is a construction lawyer who advises on the procurement, contracting and delivery of major property, construction and infrastructure projects. He works with a broad range of public and private sector clients, including property owners, corporate occupiers, developers, major contractors and government agencies. His experience spans large-scale developments across sectors such as commercial and mixed-use property, retirement and aged care, education, healthcare and transport.

Sean is often involved in projects where the scale, complexity or commercial importance of the development requires careful procurement, clear risk allocation and well-structured contracting arrangements. He works closely with clients, project teams and senior advisers to help navigate complex contractual issues, manage project risk and support successful project delivery.

Sean has extensive experience drafting and negotiating both standard form and bespoke construction contracts, consultant agreements and other project contract documentation. He advises clients throughout the procurement and delivery phases of projects, helping to establish contractual frameworks that appropriately allocate risk and support successful outcomes throughout the project lifecycle.

Sean is recognised for his collaborative and pragmatic approach. He works closely with project teams, consultants, and other stakeholders to deliver advice that is commercially focused and straightforward to implement. He understands the competing priorities, delivery pressures and stakeholder considerations that often accompany construction projects and strives to provide clear, solutions-focused advice that helps clients progress projects with confidence.

Alongside his legal practice, Sean contributes to construction law teaching at the University of Auckland, helping future industry professionals develop an understanding of construction law, procurement and contracting principles.

Career highlights

Acting for Cooper & Company in the ongoing development of the Britomart Precinct, advising on the refurbishment and adaptive reuse of heritage buildings, supporting amenity developments, and associated commercial and public realm projects forming part of Auckland’s premier waterfront precinct.

Acting for Generus Group on a number of high end retirement village developments across Auckland and Tauranga, including its flagship development, The Foundation in Parnell. Working closely with Generus’ in house development team and external advisers, Sean advises on procurement, consultant appointments, construction documentation, risk allocation, and project delivery matters, helping to establish the contractual framework for complex developments from planning through to completion.

Acting for Fisher & Paykel Healthcare on the development of its new research, manufacturing, and distribution facility at its Auckland headquarters, together with a multi-storey car parking building to support that expansion. Advising on the procurement, preparation, and negotiation of construction documentation, and working closely with Fisher & Paykel Healthcare and its project advisers to support the delivery of a significant operational growth project.

Supporting Sylvia Park Business Centre on range of developments across its Sylvia Park landholdings in Mt Wellington, Auckland, including seismic strengthening and upgrades to the existing large-format retail precinct, the development of a new office tower, and a build-to-rent precinct, supporting the ongoing expansion of one of New Zealand’s largest mixed-use developments.

Advising Health New Zealand on a range of healthcare infrastructure projects, including the rapid-build project, delivering temporary inpatient facilities to increase hospital capacity and alleviate pressure on emergency departments nationwide) and various infrastructure upgrade projects at Gisborne Hospital. Also supporting the review and development of Health New Zealand’s construction documentation suite to address market conditions, procurement challenges, and risk allocation across major healthcare infrastructure projects.

Supporting the Crown on the delivery of the City Rail Link project, including advising on upstream interfaces with City Rail Link Limited and other key stakeholders (including Auckland Transport and KiwiRail), as the project progresses towards completion.

Affiliations
  • Member, Society of Construction Law New Zealand
Achievements and recognition
  • Band 1 team, Construction, Chambers Asia-Pacific
  • Tier 1 team, Construction, The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific