Capital Markets: Debt - Australia
What the team is known for
Allens maintains a strong reputation for its broad-ranging capital markets capabilities and works with a number of blue-chip clients, investment banks and other major financial institutions on significant ECM transactions including high-value block trades, IPOs and secondary offerings. The firm also possesses an impressive DCM practice working on a number of hybrid note issuances and US private placements. Allens handles matters involving offshore markets utilising the firm's cross-border expertise and its alliance with Linklaters. The team can draw on its significant regulatory expertise to advise arrangers and issuers, including institutional banks, on APRA guidelines. Its notable clients include Macquarie, Westpac and Bank of America.
Strengths
"Their ability to provide strategic solutions for challenging structures is one of the reasons we choose to work with this firm. They are strong on both legal and commercial aspects."
"They are really easy to work with as they are clear in their responses and advice."
Work highlights
Allens advised Macquarie Capital and UBS Securities Australia on ANZ's AUD3.5 billion rights issue to partially fund the acquisition of Suncorp Bank.
The firm also acted for CSL and its subsidiary finance vehicle on its USD4 billion bond issuance, which was split across six tranches and undertaken to partially fund its acquisition of Vifor Pharma.
Notable practitioners
James Darcy is noted for his DCM expertise and often acts for corporates and financial institutions in relation to MTN programmes and bond issues. "James provides excellent service, and his quality of advice is on point. He is extremely reliable and balanced between commercial and legal components."
Julian Donnan is an established figure in the ECM space with experience assisting clients with IPOs, SPPs and placements. "Julian is a very experienced capital markets lawyer. He relates very well to clients and is a good negotiator. He is an excellent practitioner."
Robert Pick advises clients on a variety of ECM matters, including capital raisings, issuance, SPPs and hybrid securities matters. "Robert is excellent. He is very commercial, manages issues well and is very thorough in his advice."
Benjamin Downie is noted for his experience on securitisation and structured finance matters and often acts for financial institutions in relation to the establishment of securitisation programmes.
