Bird & Bird strengthens its Construction & Infrastructure practice in the Netherlands with the appointment of Andrea Chao as partner

Andrea joins Bird & Bird from Simmons & Simmons, where she was Head of Projects & Construction in the Netherlands. She specialises in construction and procurement law, with a specific focus on complex circular economy, utility, water (safety), infrastructure, energy and other construction and infrastructure projects. Andrea primarily advises clients such as national governments, investors, lenders and contractors. She is member of the Dutch Council for the International Project Finance Association (IPFA) and of the editorial board of the Dutch Construction Law Review. Andrea has co-initiated the development of the new early contractor involvement model contract (DG2020) in the Netherlands and chairs the FIDIC Task Group that will prepare the new international model contract on collaborative contracting.

Her appointment comes as part of Bird & Bird’s sustained growth in public planning and construction projects, and its strategic advancement in the Tech & Comms, Life Sciences and Energy & Utilities sector groups. At Bird & Bird, Andrea will work on innovative, tech-focused construction projects, whilst also fostering cross-practice and sector relationships both in the Netherlands and internationally.

Jeroen van der Lee and Marc van Wijngaarden, co-heads of the Netherlands offices at Bird & Bird comment: “We are delighted to have Andrea join Bird & Bird in the Netherlands at such an interesting time for the infrastructure sector. Andrea’s focus on how technology and the circular economy are changing the construction industry means that we can help our clients with some of the most innovative and challenging types of projects. Welcome to the team, Andrea!”

Matthias Lang, head of the international Infrastructure group says: “Andrea’s impressive portfolio and her expertise in public projects will be a great addition to a number of the firm’s key sectors, including Tech & Comms, Life Sciences and Energy & Utilities. We’re excited to see how Andrea’s experience with large private clients and public entities will help us further build our sector group and the team’s ongoing focus on tech infrastructure projects.”

Andrea herself adds: “I’m thrilled to be joining a firm with such a collaborative and innovative approach to legal work. I can’t wait to work with colleagues from across the firm’s international offices to help clients at the forefront of technological developments in procurement and public projects.”