David Opperman

Of Counsel, Melbourne

Biography

Overview

David provides strategic advice and dispute resolution services across a wide range of industry sectors, with particular focus on major engineering and construction projects, including energy, oil and gas, road, rail, ports, processing and tunneling projects.

He has extensive experience with formal and alternative dispute resolution processes, including significant domestic and international arbitration experience, and is the lecturer for the Master's Intensive Course at Melbourne University for Avoiding and Managing Construction Disputes, having also lectured in PPP (Partnerships Victoria) Contract Administration with the Department of Treasury and Finance and Melbourne University Private.

Bars and Courts
Victoria
Education
LLB and B.Juris Economics (Accounting) Major
Monash University
Languages
English

Experience

Acting for INPEX in relation to disputes regarding the offshore facilities for the Ichthys LNG project off the coast of Western Australia

Acting for various project developers of renewable energy projects, including wind farm and solar power facilities, including battery energy storage systems across Australia.

Acted for the Rubicon Group regarding the international arbitration of disputes relating to the Puffin FPSO*

Acted for ERM Power regarding issues and disputes arising out of the construction of various gas fired power stations across Australia*

Acted for First Gen Corp. regarding claims related to the Avion open cycle power plant at Batangas in the Philippines*

Acted for Santos on matters including offtake arrangements under the Scotia GSA for the Gladstone LNG project, arbitration proceedings concerning the PNG LNG project in Papua New Guinea, the Cooper Basin Joint Venture, the Patricia Baleen processing facilities and various issues and disputes relating to the Longtom field*

Acted for Hidroeléctrica La Confluencia S.A as international counsel in relation to disputes concerning the La Confluencia hydro-electric project in Chile*

Acted on various environmental, water and sewage treatment projects, including the Docklands remediation project, the Eastern Treatment Plant digester tanks at Carrum, the Blackwater sewage treatment plant, the rehabilitation of the Wartook Reservoir and Yarra Valley water pipelines*

Acted in relation to various power generation and related infrastructure including issues associated with the BassLink interconnector, the Loy Yang B power station and various AGL substations*

Advised on various Government infrastructure projects, including the PPP Hopkins Correctional Centre Project, the CityLink project, the Sydney Orbital Road PPP, the Channel deepening project, the EastLink project, the Melbourne Convention Centre, Melbourne Airport, the Commonwealth Law Courts building, the Regional Rail Project, prison facilities at Ararat, Barwon and Margoneet, and the new Royal Adelaide Hospital*

*Experience gained prior to joining White & Case

Speaking Engagements

Lecturer for the Melbourne University Master's Intensive Course for Avoiding and Managing Construction Disputes