I'm a director who has spent a decade advising on all aspects of construction, engineering and infrastructure projects. My specialities include dealing with large multi-party transactions relating to infrastructure projects, the creation of urban villages, eco towns and renewable power projects.

Tel: +44 (0)121 685 2994

Email: patrick_garner@wragge.com

Best brains in...

Construction and infrastructure work relating to wind farm projects, complex town centre regeneration projects and English cricket (including David Gower's test average, the legality of Kevin Pietersen's "reverse pull" and something called legal advice related to stadium procurement).

Highlight of your career so far?

Acting for St. Modwen Properties PLC on the negotiations for the regeneration of the vast (over 1,000 acre) former BP Oil Refinery site at Llandarcy, South Wales. Although the legal work was complex and involved a number of parties, it was conducted in a true spirit of co-operation, with the lawyers focussed on the deal and not egos.

Most challenging job you've ever done?

I led the Wragge & Co team in negotiations on the bespoke contracts for the design, installation, construction and maintenance of a major UK energy company's 60-turbine, 180-megawatt, £325 million offshore wind farm. This is believed to be the UK's biggest wind farm and one of the most powerful in the world.

What about outside the UK?

I acted for an energy provider on its framework contracts for the Europe-wide procurement of wind farm turbines.

Dedication to client care? Prove it!

At 7am on a cold Saturday morning one January the construction director of a major PLC called. He asked, "When a building burns down, what is the situation under a development contract and what is the insurance position under each agreement relating to the project?" Within two hours I had advised the client of the legal situation, held conference calls with the employer's agent and project manager, reviewed the relevant documentation and identified the way forward to deal with the immediate requirements and longer term strategic actions.

Best example of a creative legal solution?

When a deal was being held up due to a complication with one consultant, I used my experience and relationship with a director of a major company of engineers to scope and obtain a review of the relevant paperwork. This enabled it to provide an 'overlaying report' for the client and the purchaser which unlocked the deal and allowed it to proceed to exchange and completion.

When have you ever given a client a real competitive edge?

Acting for a major developer on a project in another jurisdiction, I effectively carried out an in-house legal role to see that the lawyers and other professionals involved understood the client's requirements. I ensured that those requirements were satisfied. Where there were differences in what was appropriate, given the market or jurisdiction, I highlighted these in a practical and pragmatic way for the client.

What's your single greatest contribution to Wragge & Co's corporate responsibility?

Other than benefiting opposition teams by scoring fewer goals in 200 games for the Wragge & Co football team than any other outfield player, I carried water for myself and the rest of the team on successive St Basil's 28-mile hikes. I also sang to the team to make them realise that aching limbs were not the worst thing that could happen - all to help raise thousands of pounds for a very worthy charity.