CURRICULUM VITAE STEVEN GAVAGNA Qualifications Bachelor of Building (Hons.) - University of NSW -1984 Bachelor of Laws - Australian National University - 2000 Graduate Diploma of Legal Practice - Australian National University - 2000 Advance Diploma of Arbitration - Adelaide University - 2015 Career Summary I am a construction and legal professional with over thirty years of experience in commercial environments. I commenced my working career in the building industry and completed a degree in construction. I worked for a number of large building corporations on a variety of projects in Sydney prior to operating my own construction company. My background in large scale construction and small to medium enterprises gives me a unique ability to understand my clients goals, opportunities and problems. I completed my law degree in 1999 and was admitted in 2000. I have worked for national and local law firms. My core area of interest is construction law both front and back end. My technical expertise is in contracts and dispute resolution, where I have assisted many institutional, national and local clients. Key Achievements Professional of the Year, ACT Master Builders Association 2012 Number 1 Law Firm in Australia in Top 50 Law Firms of Australia 2014 Canberra Law Firm of the Year, APAC insider legal awards 2015 Australian Construction Law Firm of the Year. Corporate Intl Magazine Legal Award 2015 & 2016 Australian Construction Law Firm of the Year, AI Legal Award 2015 ACT Government Building Regulations Advisory Committee (ongoing) 2015 Appointment to Liquor Licensing Board (ongoing) 2015 3
Detail History Ranger Projects (2015 to present) Director Ranger Projects is a business based on construction to public and private enterprise. Major Responsibilities: - Preparation of contract documentation, compliance and probity - Negotiations with government in regard to land acquisitions and development consent, - Detailed negotiations for construction contracts; - Preparation of document for feasibility studies, project analysis and risk management. Key Achievements - Management of Contracts and Construction of works on 25m range, Majura - Development of Northbourne Ave project from inception to construction completion installing a government body value $45mill - Development of Yass Counsel based project of 250 blocks of land valued over $100 mill (ongoing) - Preparation of tenders and analysis for various construction groups; and - Advice to statutory body on constitutional change and development of pilot funding programme valued at over $50 mill (ongoing). WMG Legal (October 2016 to current) Special Counsel Building and Construction WMG is a boutique Canberra law firm. My legal practice focuses on construction and infrastructure projects as well as commercial transactions and disputes. Major Responsibilities: - Negotiations with government in regard to land acquisitions and development consent, - Detailed negotiations for construction contracts; - Litigation and recovery under major construction contracts. - Negotiations of 6 land blocks and re-financing for a $100m+ land development in Sydney. - Construction contracts for a significant South Coast NSW club. - Construction contract for two new schools in the ACT. - Removal and appointment of new construction contractor and all contracts associated with the events. - Litigation of recovery from contractors for sub-contractors. - Advice of PPP contracts for contractors entering government agreements. 4
Mills Oakley (April 2016 to October 2016) Partner Building Constructions and Infrastructure Mills Oakley is a national law firm with a 150 year old history in Melbourne. As Partner I was required to develop client relationships, manage detailed legal advice and promote the firm. Major Responsibilities: - Consult with stakeholders and clients in complex joint venture relationships. - Prepare detailed advice in preparation of litigation. - Identify legal risks, due diligence in major building and infrastructure purchases. - Liaise with government on proposed legislation changes to the Building Act. - Assist in the transition of Goodman Law clients to Mills Oakley. - Maintain budgets. - Appointment as Counsel to the Italian Embassy. - Appointment as Counsel to Capital Football Association. - Building contract advice on Brindabella Christian College school multi-use facilities Goodman Law (March 2006 to April 2016) Principal Director A multi-disciplinary law firm based in Canberra, Goodman Law had expertise in commercial, construction and property law, growing from a base of one principal lawyer in 2006 to a total of 25 staff at its conclusion in 2016. As Principal Director I made dayto-day decisions on most major legal issues and projects. - Prepare and deliver oral and written legal advice. - Draft pleadings and affidavits. - Court advocacy. - Produce and prepare bespoke detailed construction contracts including advice on programmes, time bars and variations. - Draft and develop industry standard home building and commercial project management contracts for the Master Builders Association. - Undertake due diligence for property purchases and developments. - Prepare joint venture agreements for significant projects over $40 million. - Significant contract and insolvency litigation. - Institutional IP advice and registration. - Undertake construction litigation for local and international clients. - Advice to government and industry bodies on legislative changes. - Provide building contract review (head and sub-contractor). 5
- Industrial relations advice. - Independent EBA development, preparation and FWA lodgment. - Negotiations on union proposed EBA s. - Employment advice. - Prepare policies and procedures. - Create and maintain accreditation with Australian Standards AS9001 - Law9000. - Plan and develop all legal workflow. - Plan and manage budgets. - Lead the Management Team. - Client development. - Evaluate client needs and assign appropriate staff. - Audit of securities for financial institution. - Tender development and management. - Audit PPSA securities for Indigenous Business Australia Ltd. - Advice on Master Builder Fidelity Fund scheme. - Constructions insurance claims and litigation. - Advice on gas fired power station for ACTEW AGL on joint venture between Thakral (Singapore) and ACTEW AGL. - Creation of model building contracts for ACT Master Builders Association. - Building contracts for the Catholic Education Office for the new Nichols High School. - FWA EBA registration for significant contractors. - Significant contract dispute settlement between sub-contractors and John Hollands. - International contract litigation in Li v Wu [2012] FCA 164 (2 March 2012). - Governance and IP litigation Bayley & Associates Pty Ltd v DBR Australia Pty Ltd [2013] FCA 1341 (10 December 2013). - Government and Institutional consultation and advice on drafting and implementation of Building and Construction Industry (Security of Payments) Act 2009 ACT. - Advice to clients and attendance on Union Royal Commission. - Advice to boards related to PPP s including Lane Cove Tunnel. - Appointment as Counsel to Northern Basin Aboriginal Nations ( NBAN ). 6
Hunt & Hunt Lawyers (March 2005 to March 2006) Associate Hunt & Hunt have 400 employees nationwide. I worked for the then Canberra office. - Building and construction litigation. - Significant loan documentation and securities preparation. - Liaison between joint venture parties and documentation of interests. - McDonald s leasing and franchising. - Debt collection and insolvency. - Building contract preparation. - Draft, develop and complete financial securities and documents for business lending institution. - Joint venture development, execution and contract delivery for $50mill development on 82 Northbourne Ave Canberra. O Connor Harris (August 2000 to March 2005) Associate O Connor Harris is a local Canberra law firm and my first significant legal employment. I commenced working as a Solicitor and moved to Associate in 2002. - Building and construction litigation. - Building contract preparation. - Advice and preparation of integrated home owner contracts for industry body. - Preparation of Territory accredited construction industry Fidelity Fund. - Debt collection and insolvency - Creation, development, execution and implementation of Master Builders Construction Industry Fidelity Fund The Fund now provides Home Owners Warranty for projects across the ACT and now also modelled in the Norther Territory. - Consultation and advice to ACT Government on legislation requirements for the implementation of the Fidelity Fund. 7
University of Canberra (March 1998 to September 1999) Lecturer At the University of Canberra, I worked within the Faculty of Architecture and Building. - Prepare material and lecture in project management in the degree for building and construction. - Sessional tutoring in quantity surveying, contracts, project management and programming. Ancient Journeys (February 1992 to March 1997) Owner/Director Ancient Journeys was a Sydney based travel organisation designed to fulfill a vision of working with indigenous communities to assist in understanding their world views. - Co-create, develop and run seminars and workshops in Australia. - Co-create, develop and operate tours into Arizona. - Liaise with Native American indigenous communities. - Project manage and undertake tours. - Create and implement marketing. - Liaise with US Embassy in Australia. Key achievements: - Multiple successful tours for Australians to Arizona, working with Hopi and Navajo. - Successfully operate workshop and seminar tours with native American elders in multiple states of Australia. - Development of relations between Indigenous Australian and Native American communities. Northwood Interiors Pty Ltd (1993 to 1995) Manager Director Northwood Interiors designed and executed for commercial fitouts. Major Works: - Westpac towers lift upgrade Sydney CBD. - Frenchs Forest facilities upgrade for international pharmaceuticals entity - Marion Merrell Dow. - Various internal and exterior commercial fitouts and upgrades. 8
Capital Project Management Pty Ltd (1990 to 1993) Manager Director As the co-owner of Capital Project Management, the company created undertook both commercial and residential building projects. Major works: - DH&C housing (100+ dwellings) ) Bourke St Sydney. - Sydney Opera House foyer upgrade. - Westmead Hospital new staff facilities building Parramatta NSW. - Llewelyn Hall upgrade Balmain NSW. - Several housing developments Balmain NSW. - Mascot multi factory unit industrial project. JP Cordukes Pty Ltd (1987 to 1989) Project Manager Cordukes was a well-regarded construction firm working on some landmark Sydney sites and this opportunity allowed me to grow and develop my Project Management skills. Major Works: - Mascot industrial tilt up buildings Mascot NSW. - Rocks hotel refurbishment Sydney CBD. - St Martins Tower external upgrade Sydney CBD. KB Hutchinson Constructions Pty Ltd (1985 to 1987) Junior Project Manager & Contracts Administrator Hutchinson s was an excellent training ground, providing experience across a range of large building sites in Sydney. Major Works: - Kent St Telephone Exchange - Sydney CBD. - Bore Core Library - Llandilo NSW. - Double Bay commercial development. - Darling Harbour Exhibition Centre. 9
Citra Constructions Ltd (1983 to 1985) Cadet and contracts administrator Citra Constructions was an French international construction company engaged in national projects. I travelled significantly and worked on the sites described below. Major Works: - Parliament House Canberra. - Newcastle Technical College. - RAAF Hanger Richmond NSW. 10