Baker McKenzie Enhances Construction Team with Melanie Harwood’s Strategic Appointment

Baker McKenzie Enhances Construction Team with Melanie Harwood’s Strategic Appointment

Baker McKenzie has welcomed Melanie Harwood as a Construction Partner in its Brisbane office, reinforcing the firm’s capabilities amid rising demand in the sector.

“The [construction] market has become more complex with the continued push into new sectors such as renewable energy and technology builds like data centres. Our clients are confronted with greater competition to win and maintain work in all sectors of the construction industry. They need high quality and responsive legal support,” said Emanuel Confos, Partner and Head of Construction at Baker McKenzie.

Harwood joins from infrastructure services provider MPC Kinetic, where she served as General Counsel, leading critical infrastructure projects in the wind and battery sectors. Her extensive experience spans Transportation, Health, Power, Water, and Renewable Energy, and she brings expertise in delivery models including “public-private partnerships, alliancing, engineering, procurement, and construction and incentivised target cost models.”

Confos added that Harwood’s appointment comes “amid rapid growth in the firm’s Brisbane practice,” with her comprehensive experience in infrastructure and energy projects expected to provide essential support to clients across the firm’s expanding portfolio.