Michelle Porter-Wright

Michelle advises owners, contractors and consultants in the administration of contracts and the resolution of disputes on major infrastructure projects, both through adjudication and arbitration. Michelle has worked on some of the world’s largest projects and is widely recognized as a leader in her field. She is published in several peer reviewed academic journals, including the Paris Journal of International Arbitration, the South African Law Journal and the Stellenbosch Law Review. Michelle is an external examiner for WITS university and regularly guest lectures in her field.

• Represented a sovereign on a large hospital project against its PPP operator, valued at ZAR 3 billion.*
• Represented a South African Independent Power Producer (IPP) on a ZAR 500 million claim against a power utility.*
• Represented a South African EPC Contractor on a ZAR 350 million final accounting dispute with its joint venture partner, relating to the construction of a mining processing plant in South Africa.*
• Represented a South African EPC Contractor on a USD 60 million dispute with its design partner on a power plant project in Ghana.*
• Represented a listed Saudi Arabian development company on infrastructure regulatory frameworks.*
• Represented an Australian-based oil and gas major on a USD 180 million EPC dispute in a Singapore-seated ICC arbitration. The project involved the whole chain of LNG development and production: subsea, offshore, pipeline and onshore.*
• Represented a listed South African EPC contractor on a ZAR 1.7 billion dispute in an ICC arbitration before a three member London seated tribunal.*
• Represented an EPC Contractor on a USD 500 million dispute with a supplier of equipment and plant on a distressed power plant project in South Asia.

*Experience obtained prior to joining Baker McKenzie

• Client Choice award recipient for Construction in South Africa, Lexology 2024
• Contract Administration & Dispute Resolution Advisor of the Year, Acquisition International, South Africa, 2024
• Top 10 Construction Lawyers in South Africa, Business Today, 2023

• Africa Construction Law, Director