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Paul O'Kane
Partner
Paul O’Kane is a partner in our Manchester office.
A senior construction and development lawyer, Paul has led top-ranked construction teams at several leading international law firms. With more than two decades of experience advising on high-profile UK real estate and infrastructure projects, he acts for public authorities, institutional investors, developers and contractors, providing strategic legal advice across the full life cycle of construction and development schemes, from procurement and risk allocation to dispute resolution.
Paul’s practice spans complex urban regeneration, UK infrastructure, industrial plants, transport and educational estates, with significant experience in build-to-rent (BTR), purpose-built student accommodation (PBSA), mixed-use and high-density residential developments. He regularly advises on joint ventures, forward funding structures, construction documentation and high-value disputes.
- Lead advisor on the regeneration of Liverpool Waterfront (Mann Island), including a national museum, new canal and basin, mixed-use buildings and public realm developments.
- Advised on several residential-led regeneration schemes across the country, including, most recently, Leeds City Village and Upper Trinity Street (over 1,000 homes).
- Advised on major airport developments and disputes, including Heathrow Airport, Manchester Airport and Liverpool John Lennon Airport.
- Acted for several developers on large-scale BTR schemes across the UK, including, most recently, a £150 million joint venture-led project in Leeds South Bank (1,351 homes).
- Advised Network Rail on several major national maintenance and development frameworks.
- Provided development and construction advice on PBSA schemes across the country, including, more recently, in Stratford, Durham and the Park Hill estate in Sheffield.
- Lead legal advisor for over 15 years on Bruntwood’s major development portfolio, including ID Manchester, Circle Square, Manchester Science Park and Alderley Park.
- Counsel to Manchester City Council and Salford City Council on various major schemes, including the Etihad Stadium expansion.
- Advised on the recent Manchester St Michaels redevelopment and associated Manchester City Council land deal.
- Acting on several disputes involving industrial plants and power generation, including high-value international arbitrations in the Middle East.
- Advised on Peel’s retail, hotel and infrastructure portfolio, including Port of Salford.
- Advised the hospital trust in relation to the insolvency of Carillion, subsequent disputes and the completion of the Royal Liverpool University Hospital.
- Acted in many reported High Court cases on behalf of developers and contractors.
- Lead advisor for the West Midland Combined Authority for its metro construction, including the setting up of the Midland Metro Alliance. Also advised the authority on its new railway stations programme.
- Advised the Falkland Islands government on the replacement of the island’s port facilities.
- Extensive experience advising on the construction and automation of complex industrial and manufacturing facilities, including major projects for Boohoo, JD Sports, TATA and UK utilities. Involved in resolving high-value disputes for coal washing, steel, cement and food processing plants across the UK and the Middle East.
Education
- Northumbria University, Legal Practice Course, 1996
- Newcastle University, LL.B. (Hons.), Construction Management, 1995
Admissions
- England and Wales, 2000