About Leighton O'Brien
Leighton is a leading projects lawyer who practises in the areas of construction, infrastructure and dispute resolution, with a particular emphasis on energy, roads and rail.
He was named a leading lawyer by Chambers Asia-Pacific in 2009–24 in the area of construction, and described as 'an exceptional lawyer and leader … a trusted advisor who is always on hand to assist our business'. He is also listed as 'pre-eminent' in Doyle's Guide, and in the infrastructure projects and construction Hall of Fame by the Legal 500.
He acts for owners, lenders and contractors, and his recent procurement and delivery roles include:
- Energy: VNI West, Novocastrian Offshore Wind Farm, Kurri Kurri/Hunter Power Project, Project EnergyConnect, Snowy 2.0, Pluto Train 2, Abadi gas field FLNG, QCLNG pipeline, Basslink, Port Moresby, Vung Ang II and Vinh Tan 3 power stations.
- PPPs: Northern Beaches Hospital, Sydney Convention Centre, Single LEAP 1 & 2, Sunshine Coast Hospital, Victorian Desalination Plant, Thailand's PPP guidelines, NSW Rolling Stock, Victorian Prisons, Royal North Shore Hospital.
- Rail: Country Regional Network, Wickham Transport Interchange, Sydney Light Rail, South West Rail Link, North Sydney Freight Corridor, Dynon Port Rail Link, Perth to Mandurah, Spencer Street Station, Alice Springs to Darwin rail link.
- Roads: Westgate, M12RT, Coffs Harbour Bypass, WestConnex, NorthConnex, CALAX, Clem 7, M5, Cross City Tunnel.
- Industrial: Sydney Desalination Plant expansion, BlueScope blast furnace No. 6.
Leighton's practice also covers delivery and dispute resolution, from security of payment to expert determination, arbitration and litigation. He has advised on:
- Transport: WestConnex, NorthConnex, Lane Cove Tunnel, Gateway Upgrade, Airport Link, Eastern Distributor, Epping to Chatswood Rail Link, Great Western, Pacific and Golden Highways.
- Resources: Mount Todd, Beaconsfield and Century Zinc mines.
- Energy: Rye Park Wind Farm, Sunraysia Solar Farm, Coopers Gap Wind Farm, Wallerawang, Tallawarra, Burrinjuck and Pindari power stations, a Victorian oil and gas platform, and a Victorian wind farm.