The 2014 listing of leading South Australian construction barristers details Senior and Junior Counsel practising within the areas of contentious and non-contentious construction matters in the South Australian legal market who have been identified for their expertise and abilities in the area. It is compiled on the back of feedback from both solicitors practising within these areas and client referees.
Senior Counsel
Leading
Patrick O’Sullivan QC – Edmund Barton Chambers
Recommended
Philip McNamara QC – Murray Chamber
Junior Counsel
Preeminent
Barry Jenner – 147 Pirie St
Leading
Philip Adams – Murray Chambers
Robert Fenwick-Elliott – Howard Zelling Chambers
Recommended
Ben Doyle – Hanson Chambers
Jarrod Warren – 48 Carrington St
Editorial Commentary
A lack of depth sees only two individuals ranked at Senior Counsel level with the clear standout being Patrick O’Sullivan QC. This small talent pool is the reason O’Sullivan only achieves the ranking of “Leading” and it should not considered as an underestimation of his talent. As one solicitor noted of O’Sullivan, “he’s very impressive across a lot of areas but construction is his thing” while another commented that “he’s sharp and great to deal with”.
Amongst Junior Counsel Barry Jenner was the state’s most favoured individual with one solicitor noting “he’s been doing it for 25 years and there’s nothing he doesn’t know about” while others noted that despite availability issues Jenner was almost certainly their first thought when briefing counsel.
Philip Adams also gained note as being “bright” and “diligent” while Jarrod Warren was viewed as “able to turn his hand to the area very well” and a “emerging talent”.
Robert Fenwick Elliott moved to the bar in July 2013 and appears to have made a considerable degree of impact in that short time. Fenwick Elliott was previously ranked as a “Preeminent” individual in the area of construction when practising as a solicitor.