Qualifications
LLB (Hons), University of Otago; BA (Japanese), University of Otago
Admitted
2004, New Zealand
Leigh is a leading expert in New Zealand's infrastructure sector and co-leads our Infrastructure sector group.
Leigh advises central and local government, borrowers, lenders, and equity investors on the commercial and financing aspects of projects. Her expertise spans procurement strategy and contracts, project finance, targeted funding and general lending arrangements.
With over 20 years’ experience, Leigh has been at the forefront of major infrastructure projects, including recent transactions under the Infrastructure Funding and Financing Act (IFF). She also advised the Government on procurement, evaluation and contracting for all public private partnership (PPP) projects procured from 2012-2017 and is currently advising the Department of Corrections on the PPP project for the redevelopment of Christchurch Men’s Prison.
Leigh has a decade of experience at another major New Zealand law firm and worked in London at Slaughter and May from 2008 to 2011. She has been recognised on Australasian Lawyer and NZ Lawyer’s 2025 Elite Women List and is ranked as a Notable Practitioner by IFLR1000 2025.
Recent highlights
- Led all secondary sales in the New Zealand market from 2019 to 2023, where equity investors disposed of their stakes in existing PPP projects.
- Advised Tauranga City Council and Wellington City Council in relation to the two projects under the IFF.
- Advised on diverse energy sector projects, including for Christchurch International Airport on the Kowhai Park solar farm and project financing for lenders on the Lauriston solar farm and for Nova Energy on the Te Rahui solar farm.
- Advised Z Energy on the transition of Marsden Point from a refining operation to an import terminal.
- Advised a variety of Government Departments and Crown Agencies on:
- Grant funding arrangements, including EECA on all shovel ready projects and EV charging arrangements; Kānoa; Kāinga Ora (IAF Funding); Ministry of Business Innovation & Employment (MBIE) and Department of Internal Affairs on COVID related funding arrangements;
- Complex and bespoke contracting arrangements for MBIE's managed isolation and quarantine programme, major events like the 36th America’s Cup and FIFA Women’s World Cup, and the
- Ministry of Transport's COVID-19 International Air Freight Capacity support.
- Advised NZ Transport Agency on the Auckland Light Rail Project in connection with the parallel process run by Ministry of Transport.
