Martin Lovell
Deputy Managing Partner
Adelaide
Profile
Martin is a leading projects, infrastructure and finance lawyer and national head of the firm’s Projects, Infrastructure & Construction practice team and co-head of its Energy & Resources team.
Martin regularly advises infrastructure investors, developers, government, contractors and financial institutions on the regulatory, transactional, financing and delivery aspects of major infrastructure projects across the energy, transport, health, education, defence and resources sectors. His practice encompasses the full project lifecycle from regulatory strategy and project structuring through to financing arrangements and commercial delivery under diverse models including EPC, ECI, alliance, DBOM and O&M arrangements. He also advises on joint ventures, consortium arrangements, procurement, offtake agreements and complex commercial contracts.
Martin has established a market-leading practice at the forefront of Australia’s energy transition, advising on critical infrastructure that is reshaping the National Electricity Market. He has advised on some of the most significant electricity transmission infrastructure projects of the last decade, including acting for ElectraNet on the $2.28bn SA-NSW Interconnector (Project EnergyConnect) and currently advising ElectraNet on the Northern Transmission Project. His energy and utilities work includes advising on wind farm developments, grid-scale battery energy storage systems (BESS), gas power stations, water infrastructure and innovative multi-utility district energy schemes.
Martin’s broader infrastructure practice includes advising on high-speed rail projects for clients such as Hitachi Rail, port infrastructure developments, transport operators including Kelsian Limited on Australian and international projects, major health and education infrastructure, and defence projects including submarine programmes and naval infrastructure.
Martin works closely with sponsors and financial institutions on project finance, structured finance and secured lending transactions across multiple sectors. His financing expertise is complemented by highly regarded technical skills in Personal Property Securities law and trusts law.
Martin holds a Master of Law with first class honours from the University of Cambridge. He lectures at universities and is a regular contributor to Thomson Reuters, LexisNexis and legal journals. Chambers Asia-Pacific has described Martin as “an excellent communicator [who is] able to distil complex issues into clear, simple advice”.
Expertise
Recognition
Martin was recognised as a Ranked Individual (Band 4) in the Chambers Asia Pacific Guide: Energy & Natural Resources: Utilities, 2025 edition “Martin Lovell is a talented and responsive legal adviser and expert in his field.”
Martin Lovell is the lawyer I ring when I have a bet-the-house judgement call to make. He is commercial, has a great gut instinct, understands the competitive tensions, and understands the business. When I need to emphasise a point internally, I add Martin’s name into the conversation.
The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific: Infrastructure Projects and Construction
The team are strongly led by Martin Lovell – whenever challenged we always feel we have the best negotiator in the room. He has a balanced, non-threatening approach which nearly always ends in a win-win scenario.
The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific: Energy (transactions and regulatory)
Martin provides concise, timely and practical advice on complex matters and this is invaluable to our business.
Chambers Asia Pacific Guide: Energy & Natural Resources: Utilities
Martin Lovell is an excellent lawyer, incredible hardworking, commercially astute and a market leader in the Energy sector, not just in South Australia, but Australia wide. He really takes the time to understand the business and to deliver high quality outcomes.
The Legal 500 Asia-Pacific
Martin has been recognised in Chambers and Partners Asia-Pacific where he was described as “an excellent communicator [who is] able to distil complex issues into clear, simple advice” and in the IFLR 1000 as “highly professional, diligent and practical.” In the 2020 edition of the Legal 500 Asia Pacific, Martin is described as a ‘magic circle quality’ lawyer.
Accolades
Chambers & Partners
- Asia Pacific Guide – Energy & Natural Resources: Utilities – Band 4, since 2023 edition
- Global Guide – Energy & Natural Resources: Utilities – Band 4, since 2025 edition
The Legal 500
- The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Australia – Leading Partner for Energy (transactions and regulatory) – 2026 edition
- The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Australia – Leading Lawyer for Energy (transactions and regulatory) – 2025 edition
- The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Australia – Recommended for Infrastructure Projects and Construction – since 2020 edition
- The Legal 500 Asia Pacific: Australia – Recommended for Energy (transactions and regulatory) – since 2020 edition
Best Lawyers
- Best Lawyers in Australia – ‘Lawyer of the Year’ for Project Finance and Development Law (Adelaide, AU) – 2020 & 2026 editions | Recognised since 2014 edition
- Best Lawyers in Australia – ‘Lawyer of the Year’ for Commercial Law (Adelaide, AU) – 2020 edition | Recognised since 2019 edition
- Best Lawyers in Australia – Recognised for Asset Finance Law (Adelaide, AU) – Since 2025 edition
- Best Lawyers in Australia – Recognised for Construction / Infrastructure Law (Adelaide, AU) – Since 2023 edition
- Best Lawyers in Australia – Recognised for Corporate Law (Adelaide, AU) – Since 2025 edition
- Best Lawyers in Australia – Recognised for Debt Capital Markets Law (Adelaide, AU) – Since 2025 edition
- Best Lawyers in Australia – Recognised for Energy Law (Adelaide, AU) – Since 2025 edition
- Best Lawyers in Australia – Recognised for Equipment Finance Law (Adelaide, AU) – Since 2026 edition
- Best Lawyers in Australia – Recognised for Natural Resources Law (Adelaide, AU) – 2025 edition
- Best Lawyers in Australia – Recognised for Structured Finance Law (Adelaide, AU) – Since 2014 edition
Doyle’s Guide
Memberships
- Australian Institute of Energy (AIE)
- Banking & Financial Services Law Association (BFLSA)
- Law Council of Australia – Financial Services Committee and PPSA Sub-Committee
- SACOME Infrastructure Committee
- Flinders University of South Australia, Adjunct Lecturer
- University of Adelaide, GDLP Lecturer
