The construction and infrastructure experts are expected to step into their new roles on 1 June
Construction and infrastructure lawyers Natasha Hood and Vimal Nair have made partner at MinterEllisonRuddWatts.
Both were previously special counsel. Hood started with the firm in 2021, while Nair first joined in 2014.
The pair are expected to step into their new roles on 1 June, pending Law Society approval.
Hood co-heads the firm’s energy practice. She has worked on matters involving wind, solar, and hydrogen projects, power purchase agreements, and energy regulation.
She has tackled construction and delivery related agreements like EPC contracts, early contractor involvement contracts, consultancy agreements, equipment supply agreements, operation and maintenance agreements, and public private partnerships. She has collaborated with the firm’s finance team on issues involving project finance.
Hood has drafted and negotiated project contracts in addition to helping develop procurement strategies. She has provided advice throughout tender processes and assisted with project contract administration in the delivery stage.
She has guided joint venture agreements, private M&A, port and rail infrastructure agreements, and commodity sale and purchase agreements. Her clients have included principals, contractors and lenders in both the private and public sectors.
Hood brings in-house experience from a five-year run with Newmont Mining Corporation, where she was a geologist at a mining operation and later in-house legal counsel. She also worked with Herbert Smith Freehills’ (now HSF Kramer) corporate team in Perth.
She advised the justice ministry on the construction of new courthouses in Tauranga and Whanganui as well as on seismic remediation for the Wellington District and High Courts. According to MinterEllisonRuddWatts, the work involved complex stakeholder engagement, the detailed consideration of work methods within operational environments, regional delivery challenges, and innovative procurement and risk mitigation strategies.
The projects and construction lawyer expert focuses on large infrastructure project procurement and development, energy, IT and digital services. He has served as lawyer and in-house counsel in New Zealand, the UK, the Middle East and the APAC region.
He has tackled matters involving technology, telecommunications, manufacturing, construction, property development, energy and utilities, transport, sports stadiums, arenas and convention centers, port and rail infrastructure, water and wastewater, solid waste, and social infrastructure like schools and prisons.
Nair has drafted, negotiated and administered technology, construction, energy and procurement contracts. He has utilized various contracting methodologies, pricing structures and risk allocations.
He guided the Crown on all aspects of the City Rail Link project, which involved negotiations with the Auckland Council and CRLL. He also worked with Health NZ on the Palmerston North ED project, the Rapid Capacity expansion project and Gisborne Hospital electrical infrastructure upgrade project.
“Natasha and Vimal’s promotions recognise their individual expertise and experience within the construction and infrastructure sector. Both of our new partners already play leading roles in key client relationships and complex matters and are trusted advisers to some of our largest and longest-standing clients”, said chief executive Aaron Hockly. “These appointments reflect our ongoing succession planning, and the depth of talent across the firm that positions us strongly for the future”.
