Krystal Bentivoglio

Expertise

Krystal is a projects lawyer who specialises in front end project development, documentation and negotiation. She has worked in private practice and in-house roles in Australia and overseas, including a five-month secondment to a national construction group with an annual revenue approaching $1 billion.

Krystal’s experience includes advising clients in all areas of the project life cycle, from structuring, risk allocation and tendering through to negotiation and project delivery. She advises government clients, developers, contractors, operators and consultants on a wide range of major infrastructure projects including ports, solar, waste, mining and social infrastructure. Krystal also advises clients on regulatory and compliance issues including modern slavery and other matters relevant to construction and infrastructure.

Prior to joining Holding Redlich, Krystal gained back end litigation experience acting for two of the largest residential builders in Australia in disputes involving private homeowners and the Queensland Building and Construction Commission and the New South Wales Office of Fair Trading.

Krystal has been recognised in the 2022 edition of Doyles Guide as a rising star lawyer in Construction for Queensland.

Experience

Krystal’s experience includes:

• carrying out detail-oriented contract and risk reviews highlighting relevant issues, explaining potential impacts and advising on a responsive strategy, including in the tendering and procurement context
• drafting standard and bespoke contracts such as head contracts, subcontracts, supply and consultancy agreements, and early contractor or tenderer involvement agreements for major construction and infrastructure projects in Queensland and across various other Australian jurisdictions
• considering complex contractual and factual circumstances and advising on workable strategies and solutions, including in relation to security, warranties and indemnities, guarantees, step-in rights, practical completion, liquidated damages, delay, security of payment and work health and safety
• drafting specialised provisions tailored to specific client needs and within the parameters of legislation
• drafting amendments and updates to contracts reflective and responsive to legislative developments
• preparing contract administration tools, including contract administration manuals, and charts and tables to assist clients and their employees to more easily understand and follow contractual processes
• negotiating contract terms, preparing clear and concise communications for clients and relevant parties, and explaining the practical implications of desired approaches
• advising on legislation, policies and guidelines impacting the building and construction industry, including assessing application of probity requirements where government clients and public processes are concerned.