Construction Firms
South Australia
Market Overview
The South Australian construction legal market’s volume of work, particularly in relation to non-contentious matters, has remained steady largely due to a combination of government stimulus packages, energy and resources work as well as a better than expected level of activity by developers and other principals. Were it not for the trend of larger resources entities and, inexplicably, even many of the state government entities to retain the services of the practitioners within the East Coast offices of larger national firms, the state’s construction lawyers would have been busier still.
South Australia’s construction litigation market has historically been somewhat more subdued than other Australian states. Market dynamics, in particular a limited pool of work and head contractors, has traditionally seen parties less likely to resort to litigation. Most agreed the GFC had resulted in a slight uptick in activity but more attention was focused on the potential effects of significant legislative changes afoot.
Amongst the state’s construction practices, two construction specialists lead the charge. The contrasting styles of Victor Daminato at Crawford Legal and Robert Fenwick Elliott at Fenwick Elliott Grace gained a clean sweep on front end matters while Fenwick Elliott Grace was challenged by a host of stronger local players and specialists on back end matters. Beyond these two, the state’s larger full service firms all compete with a number of other strong smaller construction focused practices.
Perhaps the most significant factor in our results is the relatively poor local showing from the typically ever-present force of Minter Ellison. That’s not to say the firm didn’t gain a mention, it did. But outside of some generalist local litigators at Minters who turn their hands to construction when the need arises it was the firm’s excellent interstate construction practices who gained favour.
Leading South Australian Construction Firms
First Tier
Crawford Legal
Fenwick Elliott Grace
Second Tier
Black Cleland
Cosoff Cudmore Knox
Cowell Clarke
FR Law
Johnson Winter & Slattery
Lynch Meyer
Piper Alderman
Third Tier
Finlaysons
Fisher Jeffries
Nosworthy Partners
Thomsons Lawyers
Recommended
DMAW Lawyers
Kelly & Co
Minter Ellison
Norman Waterhouse
The above is an abridged version of the full report. Full editorial commentary can only be found in the print edition of Doyle's Guide to the Australian Legal Profession.
Please click through to see our listing of South Australia's leading lawyers practising in the area of construction...>>
Please click through to see our listing of South Australia's leading barristers practising in the area of construction...>> |
