Stewart specialises in drafting and negotiating complex engineering, infrastructure, transport and energy projects for the government and private sectors.

Stewart is widely acknowledged as one of Australia's leading infrastructure lawyers, and is known for his commercial, collaborative and pragmatic approach to drafting and negotiating complex transaction documents.

Career highlights

Major Projects

• Linear infrastructure: North East Link, East Link, Peninsula Link, Melbourne Metro Tunnel, West Gate Tunnel, WestConnex, Sydney Metro, Suburban Rail Loop, Western Harbour Tunnel
• Social infrastructure: Royal Children's Hospital, Victorian Cancer Centre Hospital, Bendigo Hospital, New Frankston Hospital, New Footscray Hospital, New Melton Hospital, Ararat Prison, Ravenhall Prison
• Franchising: Metropolitan Bus Franchising, NSW Bus Franchising, Metropolitan Rail (Tram and Train) Refranchising
• Contract models: Alliance, EPC, ITC, PPP and traditional contracting methods using Australian Standards, NEC, FIDIC

Industry recognition

• Voted by peers and published in The Australian - Best Lawyers as '2026 Lawyer of the Year' in Construction / Infrastructure Law in Melbourne, '2025 Lawyer of the Year' for Project Finance and Development, 'Lawyer of the Year' for Construction in 2013 and 'Lawyer of the Year' for Transportation in 2019.
• Ranked by clients in Chambers and Partners - Asia Pacific (in each year 2010-2025) as the only lawyer in Australia ranked Band 1 for both Infrastructure, and also for Construction.
• Named by Doyle's Guide 2025 as the 'Preeminent' lawyer in Australia for 'Front End Construction, Infrastructure and Project lawyers'.
• Named by clients and peers in Doyle's Guide in 2019, 2023 and 2024 as 'the Market Leader' in Victoria for 'Front End Construction, Infrastructure and Projects lawyers'.
• Awarded 'Construction and Infrastructure Partner of the Year' by Lawyers Weekly in its 'Partner of the Year Awards' in 2018.
• Named by Legal 500 in the Hall of Fame for construction lawyers and as a Leading Individual for Project Development (2020).
• Recognised in Who's Who Legal Government 2018 as well as listed in Who's Who Legal Construction 2018, as one of the world's leading infrastructure practitioners in this field.
• Named by clients as winner of the Client Choice Awards – Projects and Procurement (2014).

Stewart has been consistently ranked by Chambers and Partners as a market leading lawyer (Band 1) in Construction and in Infrastructure with the following commentaries:

• "Stewart is the best in the business by a country mile." (2025)
• "Stewart is the pre-eminent lawyer in Australia in major infrastructure projects." (2025)
• "He is very strategic and a brilliant negotiator and an exceptional drafter and interpreter of complex contractual positions. You can always rely on his advice." (2024)
• "'Stewart impressed us with his ability to land at commercial positions, satisfying the requirements of both parties without the need for protracted discussion or negotiation" (2023)
• "Stewart is fantastic at cutting through complex legal and commercial problems and finding solutions." (2022)
• "He's particularly good with the other side of the table, he develops a very good rapport and he really finds solutions." (2020)
• "He's magnificent. He handles negotiations with very sophisticated parties." (2020)
• "He's really astute, gets his head around issues and provides concise advice very quickly, but doesn't try to impose a view and is open to discussion; we find it's a genuine partnership with him." (2019)
• "He's able to synthesise complex issues very quickly into simple, bite-size decisions to be made. He's a super communicator and because of that he's an excellent adviser; he has no ego and that enables him to find areas of compromise very quickly and solve problems." (2019)
• "In terms of a lawyer who understands the construction market and government he's absolutely number one, he's outstanding." (2019)
• '"I can't speak more highly of him. He is brilliant, someone who cuts to the chase and is very practical".'(2018)
• '"You absolutely know where you are. He is very clear with his advice and doesn't beat around the bush".' (2017)
• 'Regard for Nankervis is summed up by one source with the words: "He is a class act".' (2017)
• '"He is my most preferred infrastructure lawyer in the market. He can cut through the rubbish and focus on important points. He explains legal and commercial concepts in a way that is easy to understand and he is a good negotiator".' (2016)
• 'According to one client "he is just a genius and really knows the market." He is also praised for combining "the very technical with being highly commercial" and for his proven ability to handle the very largest transactions.' (2015)
• 'a great commercial negotiator who provides succinct, strategic advice. One highly satisfied client called him "probably the best and quickest construction practitioner I've ever worked with".' (2013)