One of the partners is accompanied by a team of lawyers
Squire Patton Boggs (SPB) has ramped up its construction and employment offerings with the appointment of two new partners.
Brent Henderson, formerly of DWF, beefs up the firm’s construction disputes team while Nicola Martin, who previously worked with McCabe Curwood and Norton Rose Fulbright, bolsters the labour and employment team.
Both partners will be based in Sydney.
Henderson specialises in matters involving the front-end of construction and infrastructure projects. He has acted in significant public and private road, rail, infrastructure and telecommunications projects, and has also handled projects involving public-private partnerships.
He advises government and statutory bodies, private sector tenderers, consortia and contractors on various stages of projects, including the initial feasibility stage. He also assists clients in tender documentation and procurement processes, negotiating contracts and identifying and managing key project risks.
Henderson will not only collaborate with SPB’s construction disputes group, but will also work with the firm’s real estate, energy and resources and hospitality and leisure teams.
“Squire Patton Boggs has an outstanding Australian construction disputes team who are part of its market-leading international dispute resolution team. A strong back line is a great advantage for my clients and for my practice and I’m excited to explore the opportunities our coming together creates,” Henderson said.
Australia managing partner Campbell Davidson said that Henderson’s appointment represented “a real value-add for our clients.”
“Not only does he offer strong technical expertise, it is coupled with commerciality and invaluable insight into the client perspective gained during his tenure as a commercial director on major rolling stock, road and infrastructure projects in Australia,” Davidson said.
SPB announced Henderson’s hire on 4 March.
Martin joined the firm last month, bringing with her director Erin Kidd and associate Elisa Blakers – a team with “a strong reputation for its ability to deliver strategic and responsive advice across a broad range of employment and labour issues,” SPB said.
Martin concentrates on issues related to discrimination, bullying and harassment. She has helped to design and implement HR and IR strategies, and has supported management and boards.
Davidson said that Martin and her team join the firm at a time when “employment-related issues are front and centre for most businesses and organisations,” and pointed out that her expertise would benefit not only the firm’s local clients, but also the international practice.
“Nicola’s passion for delivering effective solutions to clients is matched by her technical abilities and both make her a good fit for our integrated global employment practice,” said Caroline Noblet, who co-chairs SPB’s global labour and employment practice.
Martin said that she was excited to join a “collaborative and agile firm.”
“Last year was exceptional for employers across the globe and 2021 is shaping up to offer its own challenges. We are very much looking forward to supporting Squire Patton Boggs’ clients through these challenging times and beyond with on-the-pulse support,” she said.
