The personal connection helped the team from Freehills, led by partner David Templeman, land the role advising Echo Entertainment on the redevelopment of Sydney's Star City Casino into an A$870 million entertainment precinct: 'The Star'. The advice involved numerous contractors and the challenges of a 24/7 operating environment and the now canned Sydney Metro project potentially running underneath the complex. “I think we clicked at a relationship level and that there was a belief that we could work with each other and that this was the basis for that decision,” Templeman said of his introduction to Michael Anderson, general counsel at Echo Entertainment.

There were remarkably few disputes arising out of the complex contracting arrangements that occurred over five years, which Templeman attributes to an efficient and well thoughtout approach to project management. ““There were many issues to address. We had to find ways to minimise noise. We had the Sydney Metro route proposed to run directly underneath part of the building so mid way through the deal we had to negotiate with Sydney Metro – that started in 2009 and ended in 2010. Additionally with a large construction project there is always areas of discussion but it’s been remarkably smooth from that point of view as a consequence of the effort that was put in up front by the whole project team,” he added.
Freehills fielded a team of about 12 lawyers and partners during the course of its advice work for Echo Entertainment, which became Echo Entertainment following its separation from Tab Corp during the project. Expertise needed to complete the deal included insurance, IP, contract law and projects advice. The team advised on structuring, appointment of consultants, a series of tender and procurement processes and property issues.

Another highlight for Templeman was the reward the team felt at being involved in such an architecturally and artistically interesting project. “What was exciting as a lawyer was the fact that architecturally and in a design sense it was a very interesting project. This made it more rewarding,” he said.