Padraig is a Partner in the Resources and Infrastructure Department.  He has 11 years' experience advising local government and corporate clients on a range of resource management, local government, administrative law and public policy issues.

Padraig regularly appears for clients in the High Court and the Environment Court.  In addition to resource management appeals, Padraig has particular expertise in defending Council decisions from judicial review.  Over the past few years Padraig has appeared in several high profile judicial review proceedings on behalf of various local authorities, including a challenge to development contributions required by Tauranga City Council; a challenge to the validity of Kapiti Coast District Council's rating system; proceedings challenging decisions by Tararua District Council and New Plymouth District Council to sell land on the basis of non-compliance with the Local Government Act; and a challenge to Christchurch City Council's brothel bylaw. 

Padraig also has a significant practice advising local authorities on compliance with the Resource Management Act, Local Government Act, and official information and privacy legislation.  He is the primary legal adviser to several territorial authorities in relation to development contributions under the Local Government Act and financial contributions under the Resource Management Act.

• Resource consent appeals, district plan references and declaration proceedings in the Environment Court on behalf of Rodney District Council and Auckland, North Shore and Tauranga City Councils
• Appeared for Tauranga City Council, Waitakere City Council, Rodney District Council and Kapiti Coast District Council in litigation concerning development contributions, financial contributions and rating issues
• Appeared in judicial review litigation concerning alleged non-compliance with the Local Government Act 2002
• Lead adviser to several territorial authorities in relation to development contributions under the Local Government Act 2002
• Drafting bylaws, development contributions policies and district plan provisions

• Member of the Resource Management Law Association
• Regular speaking engagements at SOLGM, Conferenz and Lexis Nexis seminars and annual Local Government Lawyers Forum
• Author of articles in New Zealand Law Journal on local government consultation (2004) and Interpretation Act (2000)