Geraldine Laing

I'm a Legal Director in our Commercial Group based in London. I specialise in negotiating contracts for the design, build and operation of complex assets and buildings in a major projects environment.

My work covers all sectors in the built environment – infrastructure, transport (roads and tunnels), energy, healthcare, education, commercial and residential property - and I have experience of using all the major standard forms of construction contracts (including FIDIC, NEC, and JCT).

In addition to these agreements, I draft and negotiate bespoke design and build/turnkey/EPC contracts for the delivery of complex schemes, together with construction management agreements, professional appointments, operation and maintenance agreements, warranties, bonds and guarantees.

Working in the built-environment means lots of interaction with client teams and other stakeholders on a project, which is something I really enjoy. I get involved at all stages of a project - from advising on procurement options during masterplanning right through to advising on disposal of the completed assets. Getting involved at an early stage means that I can engage with technical and commercial teams at the outset to consider the risks and desired outcomes and help formulate the best contract structure to achieve this, whilst making sure that the contracts will also meet the expectations of any potential operators, investors, funders or purchasers. The nature of the transactions that I work on also means that I regularly team up with lawyers from all practice areas meaning that we are able to give the client a seamless service.

Bird & Bird has a strong focus on helping organisations changed by technology and the digital world. The application of digital technology to physical infrastructure ("InfraTech") is on the increase and this significant move towards "smart" roads, buildings and cities makes this an exciting time for the industry.