Department profile
Ashurst

Corporate/M&A

Global Guide 2026 : Australia

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Ashurst

Rankings

Chambers Review

Provided by Chambers

Corporate/M&A - Australia

Band 2

What the Team is Known For

The Ashurst corporate and M&A team represents the Australian arm of a global corporate practice that is respected for its proven track record in the handling of large-scale transactions for household-name multinationals. The team regularly advises leading private equity houses and financial institutions across a range of issues from initial investments to exits. It is prized for its innovative transaction structures, in-depth knowledge of key industrial and business sectors, and a comprehensive international and regional service which includes a noted focus on China and Japan-related work.

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Work Highlights

Provided by Chambers

  • Ashurst advised funds managed or controlled by Adamantem Capital Management on the acquisition of 100% of the shares in QANTM Intellectual Property.

  • Ashurst advised Alcoa on its acquisition of 100% of Alumina in an all-scrip transaction by way of a scheme of arrangement.

Strengths

Provided by Chambers

  • Ashurst has a highly experienced team with different areas of expertise and focus. This leads to very high quality advice that is highly commercial while also being technically very strong.

    Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

  • They take the load off the client and really navigate all the issues. They're extremely hands-on, extremely approachable and it's very easy to rely on their advice.

    Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

  • Ashurst is really good, very commercial. They come up with innovative solutions to complex issues. They’re responsive and really nice people. They get us.

    Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

Notable Practitioners

Provided by Chambers

  • Neil Pathak
    Neil Pathak

    Neil Pathak

    Neil Pathak co-heads Ashurst's Australian corporate and M&A offering from the firm's Melbourne office and is an experienced handler of multi-billion dollar takeovers and other acquisitions.

    • Beyond Neil's strong legal skills, he is very commercially astute and well connected.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

    • Neil Pathak is an exceptional lawyer. The most experienced M&A lawyer in Victoria and potentially Australia. He is a pleasure to work with.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

    • Neil is probably the leading M&A lawyer in Australia, as evidenced by his role on the Takeovers Panel. He is very strong in providing strategic transactional and commerical advice.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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  • Tony Damian
    Tony Damian

    Tony Damian

    Tony Damian is based at the firm's Sydney office, where he co-heads Ashurst's Australian M&A practice. He regularly advises on technically sophisticated public takeovers, mergers and schemes of arrangement, transaction types upon which he is also a noted published authority.

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  • Philip Breden
    Philip Breden

    Philip Breden

    Philip Breden regularly advises on multibillion-dollar transactions for major ASX-listed and international clients across a variety of industries, including the construction, energy and manufacturing spheres. He is based in Ashurst's Sydney office.

    • Phil knows our business really well. He's a very commercial and responsive lawyer. He’ll read everything and get into the details. He understands what we're trying to achieve.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

    • Phil understands our commercial imperatives and our business.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

    • Phil is very commercial, understands our business and he actually cares.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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  • John Brewster
    John Brewster

    John Brewster

    John Brewster heads Ashurst's Australian corporate team from Melbourne and is well-versed in advising on major public M&A matters and private equity transactions, as well as corporate reorganisations.

    • John is a very savvy, client-centred operator who provides clear and accurate advice and is highly commercial.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

    • John thinks ahead at all times. He identifies and solves all complex issues in advance. His judgement is very well trusted.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

    • John is very commercial and enthusiastic. Even outside of a specific deal, he's always available for me to bounce ideas off of. The support he provides is very appreciated.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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  • Anton Harris
    Anton Harris

    Anton Harris

    Anton Harris maintains a busy M&A practice across an impressive range of business sectors, acting for players from sectors as diverse as those of finance, healthcare, integrated services and retail.

    • Anton Harris is extremely commercially minded and cuts through on commercial issues while remaining across the detail. He's extremely responsive, dedicated to his client and a pleasure to work with.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

    • Anton is a charismatic deal-doer and a very commercially sound lawyer. He has an executive presence.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal

    • Anton is extremely commercial and always works well with other advisers.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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  • Natsuko Ogawa
    Natsuko Ogawa

    Natsuko Ogawa

    Natsuko Ogawa is the head of Ashurst's Japan practice in Australia and focuses principally on advising Japanese clients from a variety of business sectors on establishing themselves, investing or embarking on joint ventures in Australia.

    • Natsuko Ogawa has extensive experience in cross-border M&A within the financial industry, especially related to Japanese companies.

      Corporate/M&A respondentGlobal
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Ranked Individuals at Ashurst (6)

Australia

Ashurst has rankings in the following guides

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