Steve O'Dea

Steve is a trusted advisor on infrastructure and construction projects, valued for his pragmatic, commercially grounded advice. With over a decade of experience across New Zealand, Singapore, and the UK, including working closely with engineers and delivery teams, he combines deep legal expertise with a real-world understanding of how projects are delivered.

Extensive experience
Steve has advised on a wide range of infrastructure and construction developments, including:

• Large irrigation schemes and dams
• Core infrastructure: roads, water, wastewater, stormwater, streetlighting, and traffic systems
• Industrial facilities and major equipment procurement
• Wind farms, solar farms, and hydroelectric facilities
• Public infrastructure: schools, sports complexes, embassies, and correctional facilities
• Commercial property developments and fitouts
• Residential and mixed-use developments

He supports clients across the full project lifecycle: from procurement and contracting through to delivery and dispute resolution. Having acted for principals, contractors, subcontractors, and consultants, Steve brings a balanced perspective to every engagement.

He is particularly sought after for his expertise in troubleshooting delays, cost overruns, and other common construction issues.

Practical, proactive, and personable
Clients consistently praise Steve’s ability to deliver advice that is clear, legally robust, and commercially useful. As one client put it:

“it’s some of the best advice [we’ve] ever had and [we’re] impressed with how well it’s deflated what could have easily turned into a hostile situation. So thanks again, we really appreciate the practical/commercial legal advice you provide us.”

Another noted:

“he seems to give our work very high priority, his advice is good and practical and he is simply a thoroughly nice person to deal with.”

Global experience, local insight
Before joining Anderson Lloyd in 2017, Steve worked with leading firms in London and Singapore. He is a qualified solicitor of the Supreme Court of England and Wales (non-practising) and a barrister and solicitor of the High Court of New Zealand.

Industry engagement
Steve is an active member of:

• The Society of Construction Law New Zealand
• The Society of Construction Contract Practitioners
• The New Zealand Society on Large Dams (NZSOLD)

He is also the author of the NZ Construction Law chapter in the Chambers Global Practice Guide (2022–2024) and co-author of the 2024 update to the NZSOLD Guidelines for Construction and Commissioning.

Publications

• Maintenance Contracts Roadshow 2025
• Emma Kerr and Steve O’Dea Join Anderson Lloyd Partnership
• Insolvencies Are on the Rise. How Can Contractors Protect Their Business?
• Just a little off the top: when does descoping go too far?
• Well, what do you know? The risk of finding out too late what actually happened on your project.
• Emma Kerr & Steve O’Dea promotion to Partnership
• The safety net: how to save a project from a falling contractor
• Facts not Favours: the importance of impartiality for expert witnesses in construction disputes
• Chambers Construction 2024 Global Practice Guide – New Zealand Construction Law and Practice chapter
• The New Standard for Construction roadshow
• Steve O’Dea promotion to Special Counsel
• The refurbished NZS 3910 – What’s new?
• Building Networks 2023 Building Safety Conference & Expo
• Anderson Lloyd authors of the 2023 Chambers Global Practice Guide – New Zealand Construction Law chapter
• Retention funds: New obligations and offences with teeth
• The effect of contractor insolvency on subcontractor warranties
• Letters of intent: the risks of contracting without a contract
• Payment schedules: why they need to be Spotless
• The risks of attaching too many documents to a construction contract