DLA Piper senior associate also believes lawyers can value if they get involved with a project early
As a specialist in construction, infrastructure and commercial contracting matters, Liam Johannesson has worked with large domestic and multinational organisations. He has taken on projects that have totalled over $500m in value over the past three years.
The DLA Piper senior associate aims to change the idea that lawyers just “sign off” on contracts – for him, lawyers add much value to projects if they get involved early. In the second part of this interview, Johannesson shares to NZ Lawyer what he considers to be the backbone of the legal system's integrity and what he’s excited to get involved in.
What’s one misconception you think people have about lawyers, and how would you correct that misconception?
A common misconception, at least in the front-end project contracting space, is that lawyers are there to "sign off" on a contract right before it gets executed. In my view, lawyers can add a lot of value when they are part of the project team from the start.
Correcting this misconception begins, to me, by having the right structures and processes in place – good relationships, good communication, and being able to both demonstrate and appreciate the value that pragmatic and focused legal advice can deliver for a project.
What challenges are particularly pressing in the country’s legal industry?
The rise of AI is creating opportunities and opening doors for people, communities and businesses on a scale that we could never have imagined (and we are still far from seeing its full potential!). But one drawback to this is the increasing danger of inaccurate or misinterpreted information being treated as fact. The lawyer's trade and the legal system's integrity rely on truth and accuracy.
As an industry we can and should use AI to improve quality, efficiency and accessibility, but our professional judgement, oversight and accountability must continue to underpin everything we do.
What are you looking forward to the most in the coming year?
I am looking forward to continuing to work on high-profile commercial construction and infrastructure projects for the best clients in the game. We have been very privileged to be involved in some of the best work this sector has to offer in New Zealand – projects that have a real impact on the country's infrastructure, economy and communities. When I look down the pipeline at what's to come, I cannot wait to get stuck in.
