Band 1
Band 2
About
Provided by Sarah Sinclair
Practice Areas
Sarah is a highly regarded construction, infrastructure and energy specialist. She has extensive experience acting for both government and private sector clients in large-scale, complex infrastructure projects and public sector reform programmes. Sarah brings a unique whole of system viewpoint and is known for providing commercially pragmatic, strategic advice on infrastructure funding models, procurement strategies, programme delivery, legislative frameworks and contracting structures.
Sarah leads our firm’s roles on the Three Waters Reform Programme, Light Rail project, City Rail Link project and the Anchor Projects in the Christchurch rebuild. She has acted on all Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in the New Zealand market and is also leading our team supporting the Wellington Gateway Partnership on the delivery of Transmission Gully. Sarah is adept at conceptualising strategy and navigating challenges inherent in projects carried out in the public eye.
Sarah has expertise in both the renewable energy and upstream oil and gas sectors and advises on ‘first-of-kind’ projects such as Ports of Auckland’s hydrogen-fuelling project and the Major Electricity Users’ Group renewable energy generation project. Sarah has extensive experience in combining the commercial components of a project with a deep understanding of legislative, procurement, and delivery processes, particularly in pathfinder projects.
Chambers Review
Asia-Pacific
Sarah Sinclair is chair of MinterEllisonRuddWatts and highly reputed in the market for advising governmental clients on major infrastructure projects.
Sarah Sinclair is based in Auckland, where she chairs MinterEllisonRuddWatts. She is renowned for her considerable experience advising major energy infrastructure projects, particularly within the upstream oil and gas and hydrogen sectors.
Strengths
Provided by Chambers
"Sarah Sinclair is as good as it gets - she grasps complex commercial drivers effortlessly and provides really insightful and robust advice that you know you can 100% rely on."
"She is an expert in infrastructure advice and an exceptional strategist."
"Sarah is fantastic to work with! She is a huge comfort when we are working through challenging and complex issues. She has an very approachable manner, is inclusive of everyone, and is a great listener."
"The value that Sarah added to our project has been significant. My team highly value her input - not just her legal advice but also in the broader strategic role she has played."
"Sarah Sinclair is as good as it gets - she grasps complex commercial drivers effortlessly and provides really insightful and robust advice that you know you can 100% rely on."
"She is an expert in infrastructure advice and an exceptional strategist."
"Sarah is fantastic to work with! She is a huge comfort when we are working through challenging and complex issues. She has an very approachable manner, is inclusive of everyone, and is a great listener."
"The value that Sarah added to our project has been significant. My team highly value her input - not just her legal advice but also in the broader strategic role she has played."