Australia expansion will strengthen HFW’s ability to support clients on complex infrastructure projects across key markets.
Global, sector-focused law firm HFW has continued the strategic expansion of its international construction practice with the appointment of a leading team headed by partner Christopher Rowden.
Rowden, who has more than 15 years’ experience in back-end disputes, project delivery and front-end, joins HFW from CDI Lawyers alongside special counsels Jason Pungsornruk and Thomas Law, senior associate Samantha Fry and associate William Lowes. Based in Brisbane, Rowden and the team advise contractors and subcontractors on construction and infrastructure projects across a wide range of sectors, including energy and resources, oil and gas, renewables and engineering.
With significant expertise in large-scale court litigation, domestic and international arbitration and adjudication, Rowden recently acted for a major Japanese contractor in international arbitration (seated in Singapore) and adjudication disputes in relation to the AUD$50bn Ichthys LNG project in Darwin. He is also the Queensland editor of the Building and Construction Law Journal and an external author for LexisNexis on construction law.
This development is the latest step in the ongoing growth of HFW’s global construction team, following the appointment of leading construction disputes partner Simon Bellas in August this year. HFW has now added nine construction partners globally since the beginning of 2024 and the hire of this new team marks the launch of HFW in Brisbane, the firm’s fourth office in Australia. HFW now has 34 partners and more than 150 lawyers in total across Brisbane, Melbourne, Perth and Sydney, working as part of an Asia Pacific team of more than 260 lawyers.
Michael Sergeant, partner and global head of construction at HFW, said: “We’re thrilled to welcome Christopher and his team to HFW. Their arrival marks a significant milestone in the continued growth of our global construction practice and strengthens our ability to support clients on complex infrastructure projects across key markets. Our global construction team has more than doubled in size since the start of the 2024 financial year and we plan to continue to grow our global offering to meet client demand.”
HFW’s Australia managing partner Gavin Vallely said: “Queensland has been experiencing a construction boom with many of our clients involved in major infrastructure projects across the state and in particular in the south east corridor. The investment in private and public infrastructure will continue as Queensland gears up for the 2032 summer Olympics. Brisbane is also increasingly being recognised as a gateway to PNG and the Oceania region generally. Chris and his team will work closely with our Australian construction group to support clients on significant projects and disputes in Australia and across the wider Asia Pacific region.”
