Michelle Porter-Wright
Biography
Michelle leads Baker McKenzie's South African dispute resolution practice, advising on contract administration and dispute resolution on major energy and infrastructure projects.
She has notable experience in international commercial arbitration and is qualified to practice in South Africa, and England & Wales.
Michelle holds a master's degree in Construction Law and Dispute Resolution from King's College, University of London, and is widely published in peer-reviewed academic journals.
Michelle has been recognised by all major directories for her work in South Africa’s construction sector.
She holds Lexology’s 2024 Client Choice award for Construction in South Africa.
She was named Contract Administration & Dispute Resolution Practitioner of the Year by Acquisition International, South Africa 2024.
Michelle sits on the board of Africa Construction Law and regularly guest lectures in her field. She holds a BSc from the University of Cape Town and is passionate about promoting STEM education.
Representative Legal Matters
- 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 listed Saudi Arabian development company on infrastructure regulatory frameworks. *
- Represented an EPC contractor on a USD 450 million dispute with a supplier of equipment and plant on a distressed power plant project in South Asia. *
- Represented a listed South African contractor on various disputes, including an international arbitration, arising from the turnkey construction of a power plant in Ghana. *
- Represented an international industrials and turnkey contractor on various substantial adjudication and arbitration claims arising from its work in designing, manufacturing, erecting and commissioning certain mechanical and ancillary works at a South African power station. *
- Represented an international EPC contractor in relation to various disputes and an arbitration arising from its construction of a copper mine in Zambia. *
- Represented a sub-Saharan African sovereign in a series of hospital PPP disputes valued at USD 150-250 million against its South African-based operator. *
- Represented a South African EPC contractor as claimant in a USD 60 million arbitration against its international design partner arising from a Ghanaian combined cycle power plant project. *
- Represented a Japanese oil major in a USD 80 million ICC arbitration seated in Singapore against its EPC contractor following a distressed LNG construction project off the coast of Australia. *
*Experience obtained prior to joining Baker McKenzie
Professional Honors
- Future Leader, Who's Who Legal, Arbitration, 2024-2025
- Future Leader, Who's Who Legal, Construction, 2023-2025
- Ranked Band 4, Chambers Global, South Africa, Construction 2017, 2023-2025
- Client Choice Award, Lexology, South Africa, Construction, 2024
- Contract Administration & Dispute Resolution Advisor of the Year, Acquisition International, South Africa, 2024
- Top 10 Construction Lawyers in South Africa, Business Today, 2023
Professional Associations and Memberships
- Law Society of South Africa
- Africa Construction Law, Director
Admissions
- England & Wales (Solicitor) (2024)
- South Africa (Attorney) (2011)
Education
- King's College London (MSc Construction Law and Dispute Resolution) (2015)
- University of Cape Town (LLB) (2008)
- University of Cape Town (BSc) (2005)