He was the first New Zealander to make partner at global firm Shearman & Sterling
Brian Clayton, CEO of local hops producer Clayton Hops NZ, is set to commence with Russell McVeagh as a partner in the real estate and construction practice next month.
Clayton has guided large-scale and complex construction projects across New Zealand, Australia, the Pacific, the EU and UK, the Middle East and Africa for over 20 years. He has tackled matters involving the energy and renewables, infrastructure, healthcare and education sectors.
He once led Shearman & Sterling’s (now A&O Shearman) construction practice in the Middle East and Africa; he was also the first New Zealander to make partner at the firm.
Clayton was a partner and consultant at Chapman Tripp, focusing on construction and major projects. He also logged stints as associate at Clifford Chance and Baker McKenzie after commencing his legal career with Bell Gully as a solicitor, according to LinkedIn.
Russell McVeagh board chair David Butler praised Clayton’s sector knowledge as an asset that would improve the firm’s projects offering across all stages. Clayton will work together with Anna Crosbie, Ed Crook and Michael Taylor, who also specialise in construction.
