Society of Construction Law Australia

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Award Finalists! 

These awards recognise our members who have made an outstanding contribution to the SoCLA Mentoring Program, having exceeded your expectations by capturing and demonstrating the spirit of mentoring. We have selected three mentors and two mentee Finalists. The Winner from each category will be announced at the National Conference Gala Dinner in May.

Please join us in congratulating our Finalists: 

Mentor Finalists



Stephen Barrett-White -  WINNER!
General Counsel at UGL
Stephen is a dual-qualified civil engineer and lawyer with over 25 years’ experience in construction law, both of a contentious and transactional nature. Stephen is General Counsel of UGL, a leading provider of end-to-end engineering, operations and maintenance services to the rail, transportation, technology, energy, resources, water, renewable and defence sectors, leading and mentoring a wonderful team of lawyers (and thoroughly decent human beings).


Simon J. Lowe (MSc DipQS FRICS FAIQS FCIArb MAE FCIOB)
Executive Director at Capital Consulting International
I am a Quantum Expert and Executive Director at Capital Consulting International in Sydney. I have 33 years’ experience as a practitioner in the fields of quantity surveying and dispute resolution, in multiple different countries and jurisdictions.

I have always endeavoured to be a good mentor and to pass down my knowledge and experience to our future generations and leaders of tomorrow. I was therefore inspired to participate in the SoCLA Mentorship Programme, which I personally found to be incredibly fulfilling and humbling. I highly recommend the programme to everyone involved in construction disputes; Mentors and Mentees alike. 



David Griffin (TMIEAust CEngT EngExec NER IntET(Aus)
Operations Manager at Downer
Graduating with a degree in Electronic Engineering in 2002, further complimented by a diploma in project management in 2018, I have been very fortunate to work across an incredible range of industries including manufacturing, IT, mining, water and waste water, electrical and now infrastructure. While beginning my career in very technical roles, the last decade of my career has seen me shift to a more strategic role with a high focus on commercial governance.

Now in my 2nd year of mentoring with SoCLA, I continue to be impressed with the knowledge and enthusiasm the mentees bring to the conversations.  I have really enjoyed the opportunity to share the knowledge I have gained over my career and look forward to being a mentor for many years into the future.


Mentee Finalists



Samuel Woff  - WINNER!
Commercial Construction Lawyer at Corrs Chambers Westgarth 
Sam has broad experience across a range of construction litigation matters including domestic and international arbitrations, litigation in the Victorian Supreme Court and security of payment adjudications.
He has built a reputation for considered advice and careful planning, which ensures that his clients obtain the best possible outcome in their litigation. A lateral thinker, Sam is focused on ensuring his client’s position is robust, defensible and tested, ultimately setting up the client’s case for the best prospects of success.



Paudan Jain
Contracts and Claims Advisor at Engenicom

Within the contracts and claims management area in infrastructure projects, I was looking to pick up new skills and explore a future career path in this very niche field.

The mentoring program has been a blessing to me in that direction, as it shed light on a lot of focus areas. A special thanks and a huge shout out to my mentor - Simon Lowe, for his time and effort, constant guidance and industry insights. I am already looking forward to be part of future programs. Thanks also to SoCLA team for managing the structure, timing and the flexibility of the program so well.


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It brings great joy to showcase our mentors and mentees in this way and we look forward to seeing many of you participating in this year's program.

The program is open to all SoCLA members, it is free to participate and has proven so beneficial to participants as we have traversed through covid and all the challenges that has brought. 

Please check out our mentoring website and the resources available. If you have any questions or are interested in participating in the program, please don't hesitate to get in touch. 


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Eligibility Criteria

The award is open to all SoCLA Mentoring Program participants with the following criteria:

  1. The nominee is a current, registered member of SoCLA
  2. The nominee must have participated in the SoCLA Mentoring Program
  3. The nominee does not need to be your own mentor or mentee but they will have made an impact on you personally
  4. The winner must not have been a recipient of previous SoCLA Mentor or Mentee of the Year award

 

Selection Criteria

Selection of the winners will be made by the Judging Panel based on the information provided within the nomination form and using the criteria below.

The SoCLA Mentor of the Year and SoCLA Mentee of the Year award recipients:

  • have demonstrated an outstanding and lasting contribution to you as an individual, the wider community, or the mentoring program as a whole
  • are passionate in their approach in providing, or receiving, coaching and mentorship
  • are advocates for mentoring within the construction law industry and the wider community
  • demonstrate leadership in the mentoring and supporting of other mentees and mentors
  • have made a lasting impact on you personally