JohnCooper

Partner-in-Charge Brisbane

Brisbane + 61.7.3085.7010 Sydney + 61.2.8272.0718

John Cooper has worked on many of Australia's largest projects in the transport, energy and resources, defense, and social infrastructure sectors. He has represented owners, major contractors, and consultants in complex disputes on major procurement projects in Australia and overseas.

John has been the lead lawyer on teams that acted on the operation and maintenance agreement for the regional rail network in New South Wales (NSW), the program alliance for RailCorp's signaling work, the successful Transcity JV bid for Legacy Way, the Gateway Upgrade Project, major defense acquisition and sustainment contracts, and mine infrastructure and contract mining agreements for iron ore mines in South Australia, coal mines in NSW and Queensland, and many other mining projects in Australia and overseas.

John has acted in major Supreme Court actions in relation to defects in the pavements at Port Botany and the Port of Brisbane and is currently representing major international contractors on disputes in connection with a number of the recently completed gas projects in Queensland. He also has represented clients in arbitrations, expert determinations, and statutory adjudications.

John is a member of the Construction and Infrastructure Law Committee of the Business Law Section of the Law Council of Australia, a member of the Resolution Institute, and a member of the Centre for Professional Legal Education Advisory Board. He also has held leadership roles with many other organizations, including the Professional Engineers Disciplinary Panel of Queensland. He has delivered many papers on dispute resolution, construction, procurement, and contract law topics.

Experience

  • Australian engineering and construction company defends dispute relating to mining project in VietnamJones Day represented an Australian engineering and construction company against a subsidiary of a major Vietnamese company in a SIAC-seated arbitration concerning design and procurement services for a large mining project.
  • Coronado Coal acquires Curragh coal mine in central Queensland, Australia, from Wesfarmers Limited for A$700 million (US$539 million)Jones Day advised Coronado Coal LLC in the acquisition of the Curragh coal mine in central Queensland, Australia, from Wesfarmers Limited for A$700 million (US$530 million).
  • Australian engineering company defends against claims relating to construction of gas processing facilityJones Day acted for an Australian engineering company in relation to claims arising from the construction of a gas processing facility in central Queensland.
  • AECOM resolves dispute with Leighton over ETTT projectJones Day acted for AECOM Australia Pty Ltd in successfully resolving a dispute with Leighton Contractors Pty Ltd concerning its design, procurement support, and construction support services on the Epping to Thornleigh Third Track ("ETTT") project, including variation claims and recovery of outstanding payments.
  • Ghella/Acciona bids on twin tunnels and road project linking existing F3 freeway and M2 motorway in Sydney, AustraliaJones Day advised the Ghella/Acciona joint venture on its bid for the approximately AU$2.5 billion twin tunnels and road project linking the existing F3 freeway and M2 motorway in Sydney, Australia.
  • Resource Generation Ltd. seeks advice on coal mining project in South AfricaJones Day advised Resource Generation Limited in connection with its coal mining project in South Africa.
  • Speaking Engagements

    • June 2, 2014
      International Commercial Arbitration in Australia - Today and Tomorrow, International Law Committee of the ACT Law Society
    • April 9, 2013
      2013 Government Contractor Labor & Employment Discussion Group