Having commenced her practice as a general commercial litigator, Mardi joined Fenwick Elliott Grace in early 2008 and now specialises in providing advice to major clients within the construction and engineering sector.  She regularly handles technically complex multi-million dollar disputes.  However, Mardi also continues to advise national companies within the commercial and retail sectors in relation to all aspects of thier business practices including leasing and franchise agreements.

The amalgamation of both areas of practice enables Mardi to easily assess potential risks and outcomes from commercial contracting.  She has worked with a variety of stakeholders from both the public and private sectors.

In 2010, Mardi was invited by her peers to join the Law Council of Australia (Business Law Section) Construction and Infrastructure Law Committee as a reult of demonstrating a high level of knowledge and professionalism in this area.

Principal Areas of Practice

• Dispute Resolution;
• Commercial Contracts and Leasing;
• Environment and Planning;
• General Commercial Advice.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Arts (Int Stud) (Honours)
• Bachelor of Laws (Honours)
• Graduate Diploma in Legal Practice

Organisations

• Law Society of South Australia
• Law Council of Australia (Business Law Section)
• Society of Construction Law Australia

Professional Experience

Construction & Engineering

• Litigation arising out of a design and construct contract for the State Aquatic Centre and GP Plus Healthcare Facility which was a $130m crown development of public infrastructure.  Representing the Head Contractor in relation to claims against the crown and defending a mutitude of subcontractor claims.
• Litigation arising out of the construction of the RAAF Base Edinburgh pursuant to a $20m Department of Defence Contract.
• Litigation arising out of the construction of a $17m, 80,000 tonne Sulphur Storage Facility at Port Adelaide which included claims in quantum meruit for repudiation.
• Supreme Court litigation arising out of the BHP Billiton Tails Leach Project.
• Handling numerous litigious disputes arising from the construction of Shopping Centres, Apartment Blocks and Retirement Villages involving claims for delay, variations and breach of contract.  Mardi acts primarily on behalf of Head Contractors but has also acted for community corporations and subcontractors.
• Representing Head Contractors in claims against government agencies both in South Australia and Victoria arising from public infrastructure contracts such as Police Stations.
• Complex Engineering disputes involving subject matter such as construction of electricity substations.

General Commercial

• Litigation relating to infrastructure for telecommunications cabling and regional wireless network.
• Representing national betting agency in $20m Supreme Court claim for recovery of monies knowingly received.
• A claim against an insurer seeking indemnity for $10m claims arising from destruction of property by fire.
• Assisting on a variety of rail disputes Australia wide arising from freight train accidents and derailments.