Juniper Watson
Partner
Adelaide
Profile
Juniper is a specialist construction, infrastructure and procurement lawyer in the firm’s Projects, Infrastructure & Construction practice. She is recognised by Legal 500 for both Infrastructure Projects and Construction and Energy, by Best Lawyers for Construction and Infrastructure Law, and by Doyle’s Guide as a Leading Front-End Construction & Infrastructure Lawyer in South Australia.
Juniper advises government, utilities, developers and contractors on the procurement and delivery of major projects across the energy, transport, defence and resources sectors. Her practice focuses on front-end procurement strategy, construction and delivery documentation and risk allocation under models including EPC, D&C and alliancing. She has particular experience advising on interface arrangements, long lead item procurement strategies and the negotiation of project contracts for complex infrastructure and energy projects.
As a construction and procurement specialist within the firm’s integrated projects team, Juniper focuses on ensuring that project documentation, risk allocation and delivery structures are robust and commercially sound.
Juniper was part of the Piper Alderman team advising ElectraNet on the major construction contracts for the $2.28bn SA–NSW Interconnector (Project EnergyConnect) and advises ElectraNet on the Northern Transmission Project, a nationally significant ISP-listed transmission infrastructure project. She has advised the South Australian Government on the $15.4bn Torrens to Darlington project (the largest road and tunnelling project in South Australia) and advises Iberdrola on complex regulatory and ancillary services arrangements within the National Electricity Market. Her other significant project experience includes advising Epic Energy on the construction, connection and operational arrangements for a $130 million battery energy storage project, advising Clarke Energy on EPC contracts for high capacity off-grid projects, and advising on multi-asset renewable energy portfolios for international investors. Juniper is also a trusted advisor in the defence industry, having provided ongoing advice and legal assistance for critical projects such as development of defence infrastructure and sustainment and life-of-type extension of Collins-Class Submarines.
Juniper’s early career included construction litigation and dispute resolution, giving her a practical understanding of where project delivery risk materialises and how front-end documentation can address it. She holds a Master of Laws from the University of Melbourne, specialising in construction law.
“Juniper Watson is exceptionally talented and brings a deep understanding of construction law to energy transactions.”
— The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific: Energy (transactions and regulatory)
Expertise
Recognition
‘Martin Lovell, Juniper Watson and their team provide fantastic service and a high quality product. Nothing is too difficult for them and they consistently deliver.’
The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific: Australia – Construction, 2022 edition – Testimonials
‘For us, the consistency of the product provided and the availability of Martin and Juniper make them stand out. We also work with a lot of East Coast firms, and we find that the product provided by Martin and Juniper is definitely of the same standard, if not better than the East Coast.’
The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific: Australia – Construction, 2022 edition – Testimonials
‘Juniper Watson is exceptionally talented and brings a deep understanding of construction law to energy transactions.’
The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific: Australia – Energy (transactions and regulatory), 2023 edition
‘Juniper Watson has been outstanding in her can-do attitude. Her ability to listen and then clearly (often on the spot) articulate the issues and solutions is admirable. She passionately advocates for her clients. She clearly enjoys what she does and cares about the outcome.’
The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific: Australia – Infrastructure Projects and Construction, 2023 edition
‘‘Martin Lovell and Juniper Watson stand out for their considerable expertise across all legal matters of construction and infrastructure. However, what really sets them apart is their understanding of our business, operating environment and objectives. Their advice takes into account all legal, commercial and practical matters, meaning it’s always accurate and appropriate – from both a legal and company perspective.’
The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific: Australia – Infrastructure Projects and Construction, 2023 edition
Accolades
- Best Lawyers in Australia – Recognised for Construction/Infrastructure Law (Adelaide, AU) – 2024 edition
- Doyle’s Guide – Leading Front-End Construction & Infrastructure Lawyers – South Australia, since 2024 edition
- Doyle’s Guide – Construction & Infrastructure Rising Stars – Australia, 2015 & 2021 editions
- The Legal 500 Asia Pacific – Recommended for Energy (transactions and regulatory), 2023 edition
- The Legal 500 Asia Pacific – Recommended for Infrastructure Projects and Construction, 2023 edition
Recent deals and media coverage
- Piper Alderman promotes three to partner – Australasian Lawyer, 15 February 2024
Memberships
- Society of Construction Law Australia Limited
- Former Board Member – The Defence Teaming Centre
- Law Council of Australia – Business Law Section: Construction and Infrastructure Committee Member
- Lighthouse Club – South Australia Steering Committee Member
- Aboriginal Law Student Mentoring Program – Volunteer Mentor
